We are rapidly heading into the Spring fishing season on the Outer Banks. And with numerous seasonal species beginning to show up on the Hatteras Island beaches, it won’t be long before these summer visitors are moving up to the northern beaches. Water temperatures are gradually increasing and it won’t be long before all of our warm water species are well settled in both the ocean and sound waters.

Most diehard anglers are already catching fish, but are you ready? At the end of the last fishing season, there were many things to address. But the two most important things are to get your gear ready and increase your knowledge on what worked and what didn’t.

First is gear maintenance. This is one of those duties typically lost in the hustle of the off season. But it is imperative to put this in the forefront of your spring duties. Checking your rod and reels for damage or corrosion, replacing rusting gear and updating your tackle bag is only a start. I start with what worked last year and fill in the pieces.

Next, getting more knowledge of our fishery is really the most important key to success. This doesn’t mean we have to go back to school but fishing seminars do help including ones online. Learning new things is important for increased success. There are hundreds of websites, podcasts, and YouTube videos about various techniques.

Another way is stopping by your local tackle shops. They can help with any new gear or specific techniques. You may even want to check the various manufacturer’s web sites. Lots of tips can be found there. These are the professionals – they make it their business to make you a better angler. So stop there frequently.

And finally, checking your catch log book. This is the best way for the average anglers to gain more knowledge. Their log book will tell them what worked best under certain conditions, and when and how? The variables were time of day, tides, weather conditions but probably more important was the water temperatures and barometer readings. Records of what species were caught and what gear and baits were used. One of the best sources of knowledge you can have is a currently maintained log. 

Don’t have a log or reference book. Spring is the best time to start one. Create your own log or purchase one. Then next year you will have an excellent reference on factual data.

Knowledge and personal experience are the best teachers. And the best part, these are simple and provide valuable information that can be used for many years.

Many of the warm water species are close and the summer season is just around the corner. Ready or not, here they come. Will you be?

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony