Cape Hatteras

Spanish Bite is On Fire

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I’ve been hearing reports lately of huge schools of Spanish mackerel traveling between the northern beaches south to the point.

Spanish mackerel are a perennial favorite during the warmer months for both surf and pier anglers on the Outer Banks. These aggressive fighters can give the light tackle anglers all they want. It seems they show up once water temperature reaches 68 degrees and follow their migratory patterns in the late summer to fall.

So today, I thought I would spendĀ  several hours on a local pier targeting these lightning speed and aggressive Spanish mackerel. Traveling light, I just packed one rod and a small bag of the preferred baits.

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Most anglers prefer a 6 to 7-Ā½ā€™ medium rods with a fast tip. Load the reel with 10-15 lbs braid and then attach an eighteen inch heavy 20-25 lbs fluorocarbon or wire leader to prevent sharp-toothed fish from biting through your line.

Gotcha plugs are the go to lure but many anglers prefer sting silvers or Clark spoons. But almost any type of flashy jig will work.Ā  Regardless of your lure type, itā€™s the fast erratic action that produces the hook up

Both pier and surfĀ  anglers should evaluate conditions using the wind and tides to help put the lure in the right position.

Once at the proper place on the surf or pier, the anglers should throw the lure as far out as possible. Count several seconds to allow the lure to sink to the desired depth. Reel in the slack then use sharp, quick pops or jerks of your rod tip while reeling at a fast, steady pace. This makes the lure dart frantically side-to-side. An occasional pause briefly will let it drop again during the retrieve if you donā€™t get a hit. Sometimes we find that fish may be deeper in the water column so more pauses will tempt them to hit the lure.

Once hooked up, continue your rapid straight retrieve. If on a pier, smallerĀ  fish can be raised up but larger ones need to be drop netted.

Remember, Spanish mackerel have extremely sharp teeth. So use pliers or de-hooker to remove hooks.

Harvested fish should be immediately stored in a ice cooler. And release any unwanted fish unharmed.

It was a successful day for me. Caught six beautiful Spanish mackerel ready for the grill.

Keep in mind, these fish will be migrating soon so if you have always wanted to catch Spanish mackerel, now is the time.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Fishing at Night

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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 ā€œevening out on the waterā€.

The catch after dark was phenomenal.Ā  It seemed that once the sun went down, the bite picked up.Ā  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.Ā  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 donā€™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 ā€“ Tightlines ā€“ Capt. Tony

Best Land-Based Fishing Locations

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I posted this list of the best land-based fishing locations earlier in the year, and now as we are entering the best fishing, itā€™s good to mention them again.

And the most frequently asked question by visiting anglers. Where can I go fishing while visiting the Northern Outer Banks?

Well, here are some of the locals’ favorites.

Daniels BridgeĀ ā€“ great bridge deck to fish from the south side only. Easy access, parking, restrooms, shaded area, fishing cleaning station. Good for crabbing. Look for channels and moving water. There is a deep hole approximately one hundred fifty yards south of bridge. Long casts and covering more water increases catches.

Wildlife Pier /Ā  Baum BridgeĀ ā€“ long dock that separates the Albemarle and Roanoke Sounds. Easy access, parking, portable restrooms, shaded certain times a day, benches. Fish the north and east sides of the dock. Drag baits along the pilings and cast north into the slough / channel leading into the marina. Avoid the south side ā€“ rubble and snags from bridge construction.

Various boat rampsĀ ā€“ Wildlife pier ramp (under Baum bridge) and Oregon Inlet (near Coast Guard Station) ramp as well as many other ramps that line the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds are good places to find many bottom fish. Long casts into the sound and slow retrievals into the ramp holes increase catches. Watch for boats being launched and loaded.

Oregon Inlet Fishing CenterĀ ā€“ south point on east side of basin. Good wade fishing and crabbing Watch for waves from boats and deep holes while wading. Parking is good at marina. Restroom facilities are a fishing center.

Mid Island – Various dune cross-overs. KH, KDH and NH have dozens of dune break for immediate access to the surf. Some areas require a long walk. Some areas have adequate parking, potable toilets, and stairs and ramps. Fish the moving tides and focus on the close in sloughs.

North Island and Corolla Beaches ā€“ most of this area is a 4-wheel access. A great location during the entire year. Permits are required during the summer months.

BeBop PierĀ ā€“ west end on Mannā€™s Harbor Bridge. Easy access, limited parking, shaded area with benches. Ā North side is good for shallow fishing. East and south are adjacent to bridge. Long casts toward the bridge into slough increases chances. Lots of crabs and mosquitoes during the summer.

Bodie Island SloughĀ ā€“ west end of parking area at the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Long walk through the gate at end of circle along a dirt road. Minimal parking. No restrooms adjacent to the fishing area. Once at slough, good fishing to the north or around any structure. Lots of crabs and mosquitoes most of the year.

Pamlico Sound / Hatteras Island Sound frontsĀ ā€“ many pull offs along the entire coast with direct access to shallow water. Great for wade fishing. No facilities. Park parking permits may be needed if off pavement.

Bonner Bridge Pier – this a new pier at an old location. Located on the south end of the new Basnight Bridge. Extends into the Oregon Inlet channel. Take care – some areas are shallow now. Need a license to fish here.

Obviously, there are dozens more but these are my favorites. We havenā€™t included the piers because they are a given. These are the special spots. Piers will be discussed during another post.

Remember ā€“ anglers will need a license to fish any of these spots.

Until Next Time ā€“ Tightlines ā€“ Capt. Tony