bridge fishing

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

Fishing in Cold Weather

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It’s January and the air & water temperatures are turning cold. This is a good time to discuss fishing in cold weather.

Fishing in the winter months can present a unique set of challenges for an Outer Banks angler.

Unpredictable weather systems can wreak havoc on even the most experienced angler. And scarcity of cold tolerant species can leave the angler empty-handed.

But in spite of the cold weather conditions, there are going to be many anglers trying their luck and catching fish. So this is a good time to discuss some of the safety precautions that anglers should take when fishing in colder conditions.

Angler comfort should be the first priority. Harsh weather conditions can wreak havoc on even the most stoic angler. Checking the weather forecast before they head out can assist on the type and layers of clothing needed to stay warm and dry. Wind and rain can affect the anglers ability to find a suitable location to actually fish. Stocking hats and gloves help preserve heat. So dress accordingly.

Know the target species. Anglers should check with a local tackle shop to determine when and where their target species was last caught. The tackle shop professionals can help the angler determine the best gear, baits and locations. In cold weather the target species may be scattered about, so narrowing down a specific area will help limit the anglers search time, where to go and limit the exposure to the elements.

In winter it’s best to fish later in the day after both the air and water temperatures have had a chance to warm up. Wintering specie’s metabolism slows in cold water and they typically wait for the right conditions to feed. So a good rule is for the angler to sleep in.

Another reason to fish later is visibility. The angler can see better and observe hazardous conditions such as slippery or uneven surfaces. Piers and bridges can become icy overnight and shorelines can be lined with high tide debris. Navigating on the surf can also be a hazard. Soft sand, drop offs and hidden objects at the water line can cause a trip hazard.

A good rule, if fishing on the surf, is for the angler to wear waders with a belt and a life vest. Even though there is little chance of falling in, at least it can help keep them afloat and visible to rescuers.

The angler shouldn’t burden themselves with too much gear. Only carry what is needed in a knapsack to keep arms and hands free. Taking extra rods and gear can overload them, prevent their ability to move from one place to another and when fishing on the surf or an uneven level can cause them to lose their balance, slip and fall.

Always carry the cell phone in a waterproof container and where they can reach it quickly in the event of an emergency. When fishing in the elements, emergencies can occur quickly and fast action is needed.

Anglers should never fish alone in the winter. The smart thing to do is take a buddy. That way if one angler gets into trouble they have someone who can help out. And if they are fishing alone, it’s imperative that they tell someone where they will be at all times and when they will be returning.

And finally, anglers need to know their limitations. An exhausted angler can put themselves at great risk. When its cold, maybe one more cast is not smart. Live to fish another day.

Fishing in the cold winter months can be both productive and rewarding. But only if the angler takes the proper precautions.

So be a smart angler when fishing in cold winter months.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

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