beach fishing

First Time Surf Fishing

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Surf fishing is one of the most popular hobbies for vacationers when they visit the Outer Banks. And with just a little effort, the new angler can have fun and catch dinner. Let’s talk about how to get started and be successful.

First, anglers who plan to fish on the surf will need a saltwater fishing license. Short or long term licenses are available either online or at a local tackle shop. And while you are at the tackle shop, new anglers should pick up a copy of the rules and bag and creel limits. It’s also available on the NCDMF website at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries

Once at the tackle shop, the crew can advise you of the best gear, baits, locations, tides and the best times of the day. Of course, most anglers try to fish when and where they can. But new anglers should focus on fishing in the mornings and evenings when there are less swimmers. And more importantly, fish tend to feed more aggressively during those hours.

Now armed with the correct gear and bait, the next thing is finding the best place on the surf. During your visit at the tackle shop, hopefully they provided a little advice on finding fish and reading the water. And as a newcomer, it can be a little confusing and occasionally frustrating because all the water appears the same. But with a steady eye, the new angler will be able to see slight changes in the waves, current and colors.

When reading the water, look for something different. A slough runs parallel with the surf. Moving water creates holes, points and rip currents. Another important key is look at the waves as they break on the shore. Look for piles of gravel, shells and small rocks. This indicates a steep drop off. Fish feed in these areas.

So here are three keys that each new angler should focus on for a successful outing.

First, fresh bait catches more fish. Use shrimp, small mole crabs or artificial fish bites. Blood worms are great but expensive, so stick with more practical baits. Remember,fresh bait spoils quickly so keep your bait out of the sun and preferably in a cooler. This is where fish bites work best, no refrigeration needed.

Here’s a great tip: ninety percent of the fish you catch on the surf will be within fifteen yards from your feet. So keep your casts close in. Allow your bait to move in the current. Check your bait frequently.

And finally move. If you aren’t feeling bites within several minutes, move parallel along the beach. The surf bottom has many different configurations. Fish will seek food or protection in an area they find food and safety. Easy to find deep areas and funny wave configurations if you look closely.

If you are fortunate to hook up. The process of retrieving your  fish should be methodical. When you feel a nibble or bite, and the fish begins to take your line, just raise your rod tip and reel slowly. Never jerk the rod. Jerking pulls the bait and hook away from the fish. Unfortunately many new anglers get excited with a bite and will miss the catch by jerking too fast. So just raise the rod slowly and reel in.

It’s important to use the waves to help bring the fish to the beach. The fish will be trying to escape by swimming straight away. Keeping the line tight, reel slowly when the fish isn’t running and taking line. Steady pressure keeps the fish hooked.

The incoming waves will help with your retrieve and push the fish up on the surf. Be patient and use the waves to your advantage.

Once you have brought the fish ashore, remove the hook carefully, take a picture quickly and if you aren’t planning to harvest it, release it back into the water.

We will be discussing your best bet and gear types in a future article. Check back soon.

So, there you go. See how easy that was.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Where Do I Start

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The outer banks are a great place to fish whether they are new, a returning visitor or a local resident just looking to jump into something new.
This time of year, visitors are arriving for vacation or just something different and searching for their next adventure. Fishing may have been on their bucket list for years but they really never took the time to explore it.
Now more than ever, visitors are taking that opportunity to experience this pastime that is exploding all over the Outer Banks. Fishing has been just outstanding over the past several seasons and with so much excitement many new anglers are jumping into this new hobby.
Starting fresh in fishing can be frustrating for any new angler. Where to go and what to use for gear and bait can be overwhelming to the newcomer. There are dozens of places that can “set you up” but only a few places can actually get you started so that this first experience is rewarding.
A local tackle shop should be your first stop. They can help identify the best rod and reel for your use. They can also provide you with the proper technique but more importantly they can provide the freshest and best choices for bait.
Freshest bait, locally caught and unfrozen is the key to getting the most bites. Local tackle shops are also good sources for info on special places to fish, times, conditions and legal regulations that are required.
As any novice would do, some may be tempted to fill their basket with many items that look good or that they saw on TV. These items do a great job of catching more anglers than anglers catch the fish. Big box stores or catalogs may offer low pricing but can never provide local knowledge and instruction that your Outer Banks tackle shops can.
Ask where to go. Fish can be found in lots of places but good technique is specific to an area or region. What worked at home or what worked last year may not work here and now. A good tackle shop stakes its reputation on return business. Many consider their return customers as family. This is something you can’t put a price on.
Once new anglers find their favorite tackle shop, the professionals can teach them the proper basics and move on from there. Many want to shorten the learning curve by going directly to the advanced class.
But there is no substitute for crawling before you walk, especially when so many knowledgeable sources are yours for the asking.
Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Seasonal Favorite – Sea Mullet

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Sea mullet are one of the easiest fish to catch on the outer banks.  They have a slender body with a slightly arched dorsal fin. Their color can range from a light to dark gray with dark shaded stripes. Their mouth faces downward to assist in feeding.

The range in size from several inches to eighteen with the typical size being caught range to ten to fifteen inches. Sea mullet can go by several names including Whiting, Kingfish or roundhead. Most anglers just call them “fun to catch and great to eat”.

Sea mullet can be found along the entire outer banks coastline from April through October.  They typically show up in the spring when the water begins to reach fifty degrees and stay around until the water cools in the fall.

Local anglers target these fish in the shallow surf zones and on the ocean piers.  They can range from the close in sloughs and near bars to out in deeper water adjacent to structures such as piers and docks.

I usually find them either right near the beach in shallow water or half to three quarters out on the piers. On the surf, just cast to the first bar or drop it on the slough. When fishing on the piers, I usually will cast out and away from a structure and slowly drag the rig back to me. Hook ups will be near the pier, sand bar or shallow areas where they believe bait is getting away from them.

They are typically bottom feeders and prefer cloudy or stained water.  Sea mullet stay in a zone where there is a lot of water movement. This constant water movement stirs the bottom and mixes the food source that the mullet searches for. They also search for food by smell so fresh baits are always the best way to go.

Anglers should use a seven and half light medium rod and reel with a fast tip and a standard one or two hook bottom rig and either a pyramid or bank sinker. A light tip will allow the angler to feel the lightest tap before the hook up. Sea mullet have a small mouth so I always start with small hooks and depending on my success I might change up or down in size.

I prefer a number four “J” or circle hook. I just bait the hook with a small bait. The best bait for sea mullet is fresh shrimp, bloodworms, mole crabs or fish bites.

When you use shrimp, always purchase eating type shrimp. I never peel the shrimp or mole crabs. The hard shell usually helps the bait on the hook. Remember, leave just a small tip out of the bait to ensure a hook up.

When the sea mullet are in season, you can fill a cooler in no time. And most probably one of the best eating fish with its white flaky meat.

But please remember, when fishing, only harvest what you plan to use fresh. Frozen sea mullet or any fish loses its favor quickly.

Grab a rod and hit the surf today. There is no better time to catch a sea mullet now.

Oh, and one more thing that will make your day better is to take a kid fishing.  With every fish they catch that smile gets wider.

Until next time – tightlines – Capt. Tony