Kitty Hawk

Trout Season on the Outer Banks

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Speckled sea trout is one of most sought after gamefish on the Outer Banks. Their aggressive strike, beautiful appearance and great table fare make them a desirable target. Speckled trout are members of the drum family which are noted for their drumming or croaking sounds. 

They are also aggressive hunters and will feed constantly except while spawning. These fish can grow quickly to over sixteen inches in just two years. It is not unusual for anglers to catch dozens of these fish well into the mid to upper twenty inch range considered “gator trout”.

The prime season for these speckled trout is spring and fall but they can be found locally almost twelve months a year. They are temperature sensitive and their residency is dependent on their comfort zone. They are known as a migratory species but can remain in one area for months or even the entire season only moving to feed or spawn. Their main diet is small bait fish but have been known to attack shrimp and similar natural baits.

Speckled trout are creatures of habit and in season can be caught in the deep ocean sloughs just inside the bar along the entire surf zone and adjacent to our ocean fishing piers. Fishing from the surf or one of our many piers or soundside bridges can give the angler an advantage recognizing perfect spots to target speckled trout.  

Other popular shore locations that anglers can find these fish on the Outer Bank are the inshore grass flats, potholes and creek mouths that feed the various sound waters. These areas provide a safe zone where there is good water quality, moderate water temperatures, solid water movement, some structure for safety, and provide many ambush spots. 

Wade fishing in the sound is another popular way to target these fish. This type of fishing has several significant advantages. When the angler is in the water, they will eliminate any possible shadows due to proximity to the sun and water surface. Slowly shuffling their feet along the bottom helps make the angler more stealth. And being directly in the water allows the angler the ability to feel any water temperature change and the force and direction of the current.

Anglers should use six and one half to seven and one half (can use 6-½” to 7-½”) light medium rod and reel setup. Ten pound braid or fifteen pound monofilament line followed by a twenty pound two foot fluorocarbon leader will give the best results. This setup gives the strength for the hook set, quick retrieval and helps make baits appear natural.

There are many types of rigging used to catch speckled trout. Most popular are lead head jigs with a plastic swim tail, top water hard baits and popping corks. Trout have also been known to take spoons, a bucktail or even Mirro Lures.

But the most  successful techniques anglers use to catch speckled trout are jigging, using top water baits and popping corks.

The jigging involves the use of a lead head jig with a three or four inch plastic swim tail. The jig is then cast and retrieved using several quick jerks of the rod followed by a pause, allowing the bait to pause or fall. This casting and retrieval is repeated until there is a strike. The strike or hookup usually occurs during the pause or fall phase.

The next technique is using a top water floating or sinking hard bait. The lure is cast out and retrieved. The design of the lure produces a unique darting or swimming action. The quick and erratic nature of the top water lure during the retrieve causes splashing and noise which attracts a trouts attention. When the strike occurs, it can be violent and fierce as the fish crushes the lure on the surface.

The final method is using a popping cork and is probably the most successful technique for both novice and experienced anglers. The rig is a cork float with a natural bait or plastic tail suspended below it on a hook or jig head. The angler casts it out and will give several quick jerks on the rod causing the cork to jump and make a splashing noise. This splashing mimics another feeding fish.  Other nearby fish will then come to investigate the noise and find an easy meal sinking just below the surface.

Finding these fish requires a simple level of understanding to determine their habits. The best way to locate these fish is to monitor your environment and watch for any unusual conditions. Especially look for signs of life. Finding the birds, bait fish or crustaceans or presence of other marine species in the area can reveal the presence of speckled trout.  The movement of tides can flush shrimp, crabs and other small bait fish into the feeding zones. But regardless of other conditions or phase of the tides, moving water is the key.

The best way to catch speckled trout throughout the year is to be flexible and the ability to change to meet the conditions. Don’t be afraid to modify your technique or try something old or new. 

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Pier Experience

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Fishing is one of Outer Banks most sought after pleasures. When visitors hear about the Outer Banks, it’s fishing that usually comes to mind first. But it’s pier fishing that makes all the difference. And as summer is beginning to wind down, this is a great time to talk about pier fishing again.

Kitty Hawk Pier

Pier fishing is great for all ages and experience levels. It is a great way to spend an hour or all day. Fishing on a pier can typically be a “one-price” for all. Anglers can rent rod outfits, buy bait and even refreshments. The best part is there is no license needed and the advice on catching fish is free.

To be successful, most anglers should focus on three important components: water movement, structure and species.

The first item is water movement. Wind and tides keep the water moving around the pier. Many species use this action to their advantage to find food and safety. Moving water keeps bait flowing and tire a struggling fish. Current passing by the pilings can cause turbulence and provide a hiding place for many predators.

Fishing is usually best when the tide is flowing and wind creates a little surface action.

The pier pilings are actually the best structure in the ocean. Water passing by the piles provide a safe space for resting fish. Also, pilings are home to crabs and small fish. 

The water turbulence caused by water rushing past the piles can also create pockets, holes and slight depressions on the bottom close to the pier.

Fishing around structure and these bottom formations can give the angler their opportunity to catch fish.

And finally, species. The fish have to be near the pier to be caught. There are many factors that influence fish movement. Water temperature, bait or food availability and the season. Fish are migratory. They move searching for comfort and safety. 

This is where the pier staff comes into play. The staff knows when and where the fish move. They know what bait and gear works best during each season. So of pier fishing is that it’s almost a guarantee that the angler will catch something.

So regardless if you are new to the area looking for something fun to do or experience angler looking for that meal or even a trophy catch, one of the local Outer Banks fishing pier is the place to spent your time.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

The Tide Effect

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Tides have a major influence on whether you catch fish or not. It’s the tides that help create ideal conditions for fish to feed. And if the angler is present during these times, their chances improve.

As a rule, most anglers prefer to fish on the high or low tides. And frequently, anglers will also monitor sun and moon phases but it’s the tides that brings them out. But it’s the specific part of these tides that make all the difference.

Let’s take a closer look at why you too should consider following the tides.

Ocean tides occur up to four times per twenty-four hour period – two high and two low. The tide phases are influenced by a number of conditions but mostly the moon.  Frequently, we hear that it’s best to fish on the exact full or new moon or on the top of the high or low tide because in theory that’s when the bite is on.

Well, this is only partially correct. Let’s take a closer look at how the tides affect the bite.

First, a little background – when the high and low tide are at their peaks, the water is slack and not moving unless there is outside influence such as wind. And second, when the tide is between the high and low, this is where a significant water movement can occur between the two tide phases.

Now, let’s break down one side of a tide. At the highest phase of high tide the water is slack. As the tide begins to fall, water starts to move toward the low tide phase. As the level continues to fall, this tide or water begins to pick up speed until it reaches a certain point usually two thirds into this phase at which the water begins to slow again to a slack phase.  Then the process starts again but in reverse.

So let’s do an example to help find the best time to fish. Let’s start with high tide at 600am and the low tide at 1200 noon. The tide is slack at 600 and with gravitational influence the water level or tide begins to fall. As the tide continues to fall, it will pick up speed typically around 0730 and continue to increase flow or speed until 1030. At this point the tide begins to lose its force and between 1030 and 1200 noon the tide slows and finally is slack again.

As you can see in this example, the fastest moving water and the best times to fish is approximately 1-1/2 hours after high and before low tide. Other times work too, but for increased success pick these.

Remember, there are many other conditions that can influence the bite. Water movement is just one. Monitoring water temperature, seasonal migration and barometer can also improve your success.

But reviewing tide phase should always be part of your fishing trip preparation.

So the next time you pick up a local tide chart – do some homework and you might just catch some more fish.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony