Lessons of Change

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September typically means two things to me – the start of a new school year and fall fishing. Classrooms and school buses get crowded and popular fishing spots become deserted. But just like school, there are many lessons to be learned when fishing between the summer and the fall on the Outer Banks.

Summer fishing is a lot like swinging in a hammock. You find a seat in the shade on the pier or maybe under an umbrella on the surf.  You cast your bottom rig out and wait for something to come by and take it. Summer fishing is usually very slow and kind of easy going. There are always plenty of small bottom fish to keep you busy. So as you can see those lazy summer fishing days are a lot like swinging on that hammock. Not real exciting nor a lot interruptions but still a lot of fun.

Fall fishing on the other hand are where the summer lessons you learned are put to the test. The fall species that move into our waters can be very large and both aggressive and fast.  These fish are aware that their main food source will be scarce in the coming months so they must feed aggressively.

The Florida pompano, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel will be leaving for warmer waters soon and two of our most popular fall visitors will be taking their place. The Norfolk Spot and Atlantic croaker are a huge draw on the local piers in the fall. The Norfolk “Spot Run” occurs in mid to late September. During these runs, it is easy to fill a cooler in a matter of hours.

A short time later we begin to see the native speckled sea trout, black drum, puppy drum and big bluefish as well as the huge red drum and many other non-traditional species such as sharks and rays and many others.

When fishing in the summer we typically use light gear. In the fall and with the onslaught of huge and aggressive species moving in, we need to consider the use of stiffer and heavier gear. Larger rods, heavier reels, more stout lines and of course stronger rigs. We need to think about how we present our baits. Fresh baits, such as finger mullet or cut baits and even shrimp or fish bites are your best bets this time of year. Some anglers will stay with artificial plastics, gotcha plugs and metal spoons but their types of natural jig types, the action, vibrations and their retrieves must match the prey.

Weather in the fall is so unpredictable – seasonal and beautiful one day and chaotic and dangerous the next. Outer Banks environment can be friendly or brutal on anglers and gear. So you need to plan accordingly.

Now is the time to prepare. Our local tackle shops, many media outlets and of course my website can help make this year’s fishing experience one to remember.

Fishing in the fall on one of the local piers or the surf can be one of most enjoyable times. Many anglers travel hundreds of miles just to fish this time of year in our waters. Will you be joining us this year?

Captains Tip – always keep a light tackle rod set with you at all times in the fall. Hot action with a light rod and big fish are what memories are made of.

More on fall fishing, moon and best fishing days, proper gear types and techniques in near future – so check back often.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Timing Matters

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The time of the day to fish does matter. Just look around at all the most popular fishing locations. They are crowded early in the morning and occasionally just before dark or even at night. There must be something to these specific times that brings these anglers out. And there is.

Traditionally, it has been the experience among anglers that it’s better to fish before breakfast or after dinner. Whether this is just a habit or the only time they can get on the water, is anybody’s guess. But there are many reasons why anglers would prefer these times opposed to others.

Comfort is one. Cooler weather conditions and enjoying the outdoor experience could be part of the equation. Or it might just be that the fish actually bite better during those times. Who knows the actual reason but there are several theories that could tell the story. So let’s explore several.

There is definitely a big difference between fishing dawn and dusk versus day time. Conditions like daily sunrises, sunsets, various moon phases;  and just plain cooler air and water temperatures along with the amount of light striking the water all can contribute to a change in feeding habits and increase the bite.

The sun has always had an effect on fishing. On bright days with the sun directly overhead seems to chase the fish deep in the water and slows their metabolism. On the other hand, low light and cloudy days seem to turn the bite on.

At dawn and dusk, the sun rays can be at a sharper angle to the water. This angle allows for lower light to penetrate the water and enhances the sight of various marine species. The lower light conditions can give feeding species an advantage finding food or the bait quickly because of their light sensitive eyes.

The moon phases can also affect the movement and height of the tides but more importantly this water movement can confuse many bait fish.  And this water movement can also bring in a change in more comfortable water temperatures.

Another theory is that there is a different amount of oxygen content in the water. Cooler water contains more oxygen than warmer water. So it’s natural that fish find comfort in these cooler conditions and tend to feed more.

At dusk, the air temperature will usually drop. The cooler air causes the water temperatures to also decrease slightly. This cooling trend creates a desirable environment for most species. Small living organisms and bait fish are extremely active during these times and make for easy prey of the larger fish. So with more activity brings an increase in the possible success rate.

At dawn, the air temperatures begin to increase with the sun rise. The water temperatures will also increase. Even though it might be slight, the fish seem to sense this change and typically will begin to feed aggressively during this period being aware that their feeding cycle may end soon.  As the temperature continues to rise into the morning and dawn turns into day, this change causes the fish and their prey to slow down considerably and seek deeper cooler waters again.

Obviously, these are only a couple of my theories on why fish feed more aggressively during these times. There could be many other conditions and reasons why fish are more active at dawn and dusk.

Regardless of the reasons, anglers will continue to look forward to that “before breakfast and after dinner bite”.

So now the next question based on the facts, “will you try your luck at dusk or dawn too”?

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Let’s Talk Bait

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One of the most frequently asked questions that anglers on the Outer Banks ask is, “Which bait works best?”

It is a question with many answers, but the simple answer is, it depends.

Just like the number of available fish species, there are dozens of types of bait that work in our saltwater environment.

To be sure, some baits work better on specific species, while others are good for general use.

Let’s focus on three basic types of baits. There is live bait, fresh or natural bait and artificial or synthetic baits. Each type has its place in your arsenal.

In my opinion, using live bait is the most productive. Most saltwater species are more likely to choose a live bait over any other. Examples of these baits are shrimp, sand fleas, crabs, small bait fish, clams, finger mullet, menhaden and many types of worms. The reason that live bait is best is because it causes vibration, special sounds and a scent that attracts just about any predator.

Live baits are typically the most productive and should be the preferred bait of choice. These baits are typically readily available in our waters and are easy for most anglers to catch.

My next choice would be fresh or natural dead baits, which are easily obtained and work very well. Examples of these baits are bagged shrimp, squid and cut mullet. Some natural baits will be found in individual packages or larger frozen packs. The angler should prefer the freshest bait possible and try to avoid using baits that were previously frozen and then allowed to thaw. Keep in mind that local tackle shops go out of their way to source the freshest bait daily.

These baits typically work well because they appear as an easy food source. Occasionally, the angler’s presentation can increase the attractiveness of the bait.

Fresh baits should be a single-use bait because these baits lose scent and freshness over one day. So these should be discarded after one day and bought fresh the next day for best results.

Finally, another option is artificial baits, which are proven favorites for local fishermen.These baits include synthetic materials such as “Fish Bites,” soft plastic worms or fake fish-like lures.These baits and lures are also very productive in most settings.The advantage of artificial baits is their longevity and staying power. When using artificial soft plastics, always select the pre-scented types when available.

Most saltwater species have sharp teeth or a mechanism to separate the baits from the hooks, and using a tough soft plastic or synthetic material sometimes makes it difficult for the fish to steal the bait before being hooked.

A good rule to follow is to always check with the local tackle shop professionals before heading out. They can help determine which bait will provide you with the best opportunity for success. Local knowledge is a valuable tool and doesn’t cost a thing.

Also, don’t be afraid to change to a fresher piece of bait frequently or even a different bait all together.

So we go back to the question of “which bait works best?”

The answer is that all of them work well under certain conditions. And, as the angler, your ability to find the correct bait when targeting a certain species can increase your success rate.

Final tip – there is an old saying for maximum success. Always try to use a bait that will “match the hatch” and mimic the taste and smell of a predator’s juvenile food source.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony