bridge fishing

Starting off Strong

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We have just entered a new year and it gives us another chance to get it right. So let’s start off this year strong.

Resolutions on New Year’s Day sometimes get the revelers into trouble. Some anglers commit to outrageous goals that are usually forgotten just hours later. But what if you made a resolution that could improve your fishing for the entire year. Well, here are several ideas that might be worthwhile to consider and I believe most times might just help to make you a better angler.

The first resolution is never allow your gear to be neglected. During the season, make maintenance a standard process. At the end of your trip, rise off any gear that was subjected to the environment, especially salt water or air. Lures, jigs and terminal tackle should be cleaned and put in its place. Old bait should be thrown away and not into the water. Maintained tackle and fresh bait catches more fish so start fresh each day.

Next one is do your homework – now, during preseason and all year.  Your homework might include studying the areas that you might want to fish in, the seasonal species that you plan to target and any new techniques or gear that will give you an advantage. The learning process should be continuous.

One more is getting to know and make frequent visits to your local tackle shops. Each year, representatives visit these shops and look forward to sharing new innovative ways to catch fish as well as the new products coming on the market. These tips and techniques are a valuable resource for both new and experienced anglers. Don’t miss these opportunities in your community.

Next, go to school – learn more. Look for stand alone seminars or classes at boat shows. I can’t stress enough how valuable it is to hear it directly from the experts. Over time we begin to lose our best angling techniques. Even professional guides hire another guide to watch their techniques and make recommendations. I have a good friend who has fished for over twenty years professionally and he even hires a guide annually to evaluate his skills.  We are never too young or old to get better at what we do.

Another is the internet. If you search the web, you will find many seminars and fishing classes which are available both locally, regionally and web-based. Most in person classes are in convenient locations. You can also pick up great tips going to boat shows. I have found that professional anglers, fishing club members and boat manufacturers can be a fantastic resource. Don’t forget the web based programs, while not local, contain many skills you can use anywhere. No excuse not to be able to improve your skill set.

My final resolution is to always “Keep it Simple” when fishing. Never overfish your skill set or knowledge. Try to learn one skill each outing.

Also, use your experience to teach others. Over the past several years, one of the best parts of my fishing trips for me was helping someone catch their first fish.

So one recommendation that we should all try to keep this year is to “Take a kid fishing”. That’s one resolution that will make memories for them and a difference in you.

Until next time – Tightlines – Captain Tony

Winter Fishing Locations

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We have finally transitioned from the busy fall fishing season to the blustery and challenging off season. The fall migration has ended and most of the ocean piers have closed for the season.

The surf, soundside bridges and docks and three of our ocean piers are the only option for those who can brave the weather conditions.

Fishing season is not completely over but transitioning into a different phase. Extra caution and preparation will be needed to be successful.

In the future postings, we will be discussing how to find and catch fish in colder conditions and some of the angling offseason duties.

For now, here are the places that are still open and accessible to fish through spring:

Avalon fishing pier – They will remain open the entire offseason and will offer free access to walk-on but a fee for fishing. Their advertised hours will as follows:

  • M-T-W – 1100-700pm
  • Thurs – 1100-1000pm
  • Friday – 1100-midnight
  • Saturday – 1100-midnight
  • Sunday – 1100 – 700pm

They hope to have love music several evenings a week. Times and days subject to change.

Jennette’s fishing pier – They will remain open the entire offseason Sunday thru Saturday from 0900 to 1700. No price change.

Bonner Bridge pier – free and open to the public 24 hours daily. Fishing license is required.

Kitty Hawk / Hilton Garden fishing Pier – will continue to remain open for hotel guests only.

These soundside piers, bridges and docks will continue to remain open and available all year:

  • Causeway pier – open
  • Daniels Bridge – south side open
  • Wildlife fishing pier – open
  • Bebop fishing Pier – open

And these Piers are now closed for the season.

  • Nags Head Fishing pier is closed
  • Outer Banks pier is closed
  • Rodanthe pier is closed.
  • Avon pier is closed.

Remember – always fish with a buddy or tell someone where you will be fishing and when you plan to return. Also, during inclement weather, raised surfaces can become slippery. Use caution.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Not Done Fishing Yet

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Thanksgiving week has arrived on the Outer Banks and it seems it always brings out the best of our area.  The region is alive with both locals and visitors busy shopping, preparing for that big meal and enjoying those final days of our fantastic fall fishery.

The weather is still beautiful and the fall fishing continues to be exceptional. And both surf and pier fishing is still in high gear.

But as this week comes to a close on the Outer Banks so starts the closing of our ocean piers for the season. Most will close for the season by this weekend.

There are several exceptions: Jennette’s Pier, Bonner Bridge pier and the Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk pier. Avalon hasn’t made the decision what their hours will be but Jennette’s pier will remain open the entire winter season with limited hours.

Now just because the piers are closing and crowds are smaller, doesn’t mean our fall fishery is over. There are plenty of fish to be caught so don’t put that rod and reel up just yet.

Most sound side bridges and docks are always a semi-protected place to fish when the weather is a little rough.

The surf is also a great place on nice days to try your luck. You may still find some scattered puppy drum, black drum, sea mullet, blues, speckled trout and possibly puffers around for several more weeks.

In December, we begin to move into our ocean winter fishery where “practice fish” such as rays and dogfish are the most common catch. But you never know what else is out there so always keep your big game gear close.

The sound side piers may also be productive over the next several weeks too with catch & release Striped bass as the primary target. These fish could possibly be around throughout the winter season. Depends on the weather. Never discount an occasional resident species over wintering in our sound waters.

Remember cold water fishing requires you to change up your approach slightly and modify your techniques a little. But if you work hard and fish smart, you can still be successful.

There are plenty of opportunities to catch fish into the cooler months so don’t put that gear away yet!!

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony