beach fishing

Fishing at Night

Angler Home , , , , , , , , , ,

When fishing after dark, it can be as different as night and day. Most anglers prefer the comfort of a pretty blue-bird day when the sun is shining and the weather is warm. That comfort level enhances the experience but may not necessarily the catch.

Fishing and catching during the day depends on certain conditions. And depending on the season, these conditions may not always cooperate. But as night falls, conditions begin to favor the angler.

The other night I had an opportunity to try night fishing. I visited a local pier at dusk and hoped to enjoy an “evening out on the water”.

The catch after dark was phenomenal.  It seemed that once the sun went down, the bite picked up.  It did not matter whether I cast under the pier or out and away. The bite was sometimes very soft and others an aggressive hit. One thing that added to my success was the under pier lights that attracted bait fish.

Being a novice at after dark fishing, I noted several important points.

Be prepared and know your gear. During the day, looking for that hook, sinker or even that knife and pliers is simple. But after dark, you depend on pier lights or flashlight to guide you. Probably not the best light to perform tidiest tasks.

Tying knots or getting un-tangled from another angler is made even more difficult at night.

So my advice for night fishing:

Take only what you think you will need. Pack light and organized. Digging through that tackle box or bucket when its dark or spilling your gear on the deck is a good way to lose stuff.

Bring at least one extra rod and reel with the preferred set up that you plan to use.  Have your pliers and line cutter handy. Bait should be in easy reach. And extra bottom rigs, hooks and sinkers should be in separate bags and easy to access.

I would bring a cooler for drinks, snacks and bait. A separate cooler for fish you plan to keep is a necessity. Especially, if you don’t want everything to smell fishy.

My first experience at fishing at night on a local pier was exciting and very successful. We took sandwiches and drinks and made it a great evening out. And yes, we filled a cooler with keeper bottom fish.

All of the local Outer Banks piers are completely safe at all hours especially after dark. And they continue to provide all the amenities you need to enjoy yourself. Kids may even be more attentive to night fishing because the action is more consistent. And their focus is on fishing and not the many distractions that a busy pier brings during the day.

So if you have only fished during the day, you are missing a great experience.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Let’s Talk Bait

Angler Home , , , , , , , ,

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

Your Tackle Bag

Angler Home , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s another tip for the summer angler.

Two of the most guarded secrets an angler keeps is their favorite fishing spot and the contents of their tackle bag. While secret fishing spots are frequently shared only to close friends, their tackle bags contents can be held stealth for years.

To guard that secret, most anglers will quickly retrieve gear from their bags away from spying eyes. It’s probably no secret to the contents of a typical tackle bag but serious anglers can be a little funny on their favorite and probably the most reliable lures and techniques.

The tackle bag, as a general rule, should only include items you will need on the current fishing trip. But lots of anglers, including this author, use the bag sometimes as a storage box for everything they possibly could ever use even if it doesn’t work on every trip. While a great place to store gear when not in use it’s especially not one to drag out on each trip.

Tackle bag contents will vary depending on the target species and fishing location. Let’s look at my suggestions.

Standard contents should at least include a collection of sinkers, hooks and terminal rigging gear. Don’t go wild, just a few are needed. Store more in your vehicle tote box.

Also several types should include some two hook bottom rigs, one or more Carolina rigs, bluefish rigs and finally some pompano rigs. Extra leader materials can always come in handy. I use Fluorocarbon for clear water and monofilament when the water is a little cloudy. I always carry several sabiki rigs for catching your own baits.

You should also carry a small bait knife, plastic cutting board, finger nail clippers, and pliers, tape measure, and fish grippers.

Several rags will help steady a fish to remove hooks – but remember, if holding a fish with a rag make sure it’s wet. Dry rags can wipe the protective slim off a wiggling fish quickly.

The bag should also include a variety jigging gear with a variety of lead heads, various soft swim baits, and several different got-cha plugs or top water hard baits. A bottle of attractant, such as Procure, will help enhance the artificial smell similar to real bait fish. I sometimes even spread some procure on my fresh baits. Can’t hurt to enhance the scent.

A tackle bag will not be complete without “fish-bites” or some type of artificial baits.

This list is definitely not complete and inclusive but it should give the new or occasional angler as least a start on filing that tackle bag with basic gear.

Of course, there is always time to load it, so full of the angler’s special & most reliable gear, which like the author, can act more like a storage bin than a tackle bag.

One tip: Put extra gear that will not be used that day in a rubber-made crate in your vehicle. That way, the gear won’t load down you bag but if needed it’s just a quick walk back to your vehicle.

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony