Outer Banks

Your Tackle Bag

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Hereā€™s another tip for the summer angler.

Two of the most guarded secrets an angler keeps is their favorite fishing spot and the contents of their tackle bag. While secret fishing spots are frequently shared only to close friends, their tackle bags contents can be held stealth for years.

To guard that secret, most anglers will quickly retrieve gear from their bags away from spying eyes. Itā€™s probably no secret to the contents of a typical tackle bag but serious anglers can be a little funny on their favorite and probably the most reliable lures and techniques.

The tackle bag, as a general rule, should only include items you will need on the current fishing trip. But lots of anglers, including this author, use the bag sometimes as a storage box for everything they possibly could ever use even if it doesnā€™t work on every trip. While a great place to store gear when not in use itā€™s especially not one to drag out on each trip.

Tackle bag contents will vary depending on the target species and fishing location. Letā€™s look at my suggestions.

Standard contents should at least include a collection of sinkers, hooks and terminal rigging gear. Donā€™t go wild, just a few are needed. Store more in your vehicle tote box.

Also several types should include some two hook bottom rigs, one or more Carolina rigs, bluefish rigs and finally some pompano rigs. Extra leader materials can always come in handy. I use Fluorocarbon for clear water and monofilament when the water is a little cloudy. I always carry several sabiki rigs for catching your own baits.

You should also carry a small bait knife, plastic cutting board, finger nail clippers, and pliers, tape measure, and fish grippers.

Several rags will help steady a fish to remove hooks ā€“ but remember, if holding a fish with a rag make sure itā€™s wet. Dry rags can wipe the protective slim off a wiggling fish quickly.

The bag should also include a variety jigging gear with a variety of lead heads, various soft swim baits, and several different got-cha plugs or top water hard baits. A bottle of attractant, such as Procure, will help enhance the artificial smell similar to real bait fish. I sometimes even spread some procure on my fresh baits. Canā€™t hurt to enhance the scent.

A tackle bag will not be complete without ā€œfish-bitesā€ or some type of artificial baits.

This list is definitely not complete and inclusive but it should give the new or occasional angler as least a start on filing that tackle bag with basic gear.

Of course, there is always time to load it, so full of the anglerā€™s special & most reliable gear, which like the author, can act more like a storage bin than a tackle bag.

One tip: Put extra gear that will not be used that day in a rubber-made crate in your vehicle. That way, the gear wonā€™t load down you bag but if needed itā€™s just a quick walk back to your vehicle.

Until next time ā€“ Tightlines. Capt. Tony

Letā€™s Go Pier Fishing

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Donā€™t have a boat and you want to fish. No problem. Fishing on one of the outer banks pier can be an enjoyable outing for the entire family. Itā€™s one of those activities where you can just grab a rod, little bait and catch fish. The best part is you donā€™t need any instruction but with a little guidance, the family can be out catching not only dinner but memories that last a lifetime.

First, most ocean fishing piers offer a blanket license which means you donā€™t need a license to fish. The daily fee allows the angler to fish all day. And if they need to leave for a period and return, that is permissible under the daily fee. The only exception is on the Bonner Bridge Pier where anglers need a saltwater license to fish there.

Next, letā€™s look at gear. Most fish caught on piers are going to be small so there is no need to bring a lot of fishing gear or equipment. Anglers should use a simple seven or eight medium rod and reel that is designed for use in a saltwater environment. If you donā€™t have a rod, everything can be rented at the pier house for a nominal fee.

Next is rigging. This is just as important as the rod and reel. Perfect starter kit is a pre-made two hook bottom rig with small ā€œJā€ or circle hooks and a pyramid sinker. The hook size should not exceed the types of bait. And the sinker should allow the bait and rig to just hold the bottom.

The most popular bait for pier fishing is fresh shrimp. Keep shrimp out of the sun and in a cooler if possible. Fresh bait catches more fish. Other popular baits are artificial fish bites, worms and cut bait. Either works fine but as a new pier angler, shrimp is best.

Picking the best spot on the pier is key. Most piers are long and lined with anglers. It is probably best to start on one side of the pier and fish both sides until you begin feeling lots of hits or bites. The key to successful pier fishing is to move around.

And finally, itā€™s time to fish. You now need to bait your hooks. Use only a small piece of shrimp,Ā  just enough to cover the hook.

Once your bait and rig is ready, just drop your bait straight down over the railing into the water. Make sure your sinker is on the bottom and wait for the tap. Most small fish will tap your bait to loosen it from your hook before taking it. When you feel the tap followed by a tug, raise the rod and reel it in. Thatā€™s it, you are fishing.

Another very important part of any type of fishing is releasing all unwanted fish. If you are not keeping your catch, it should be released back in the water as quickly as possible.

And finally, angler safety is also important. Always wear a hat and dress for the conditions. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed places year round. Bring plenty of drinks and snacks will help make for an enjoyable day.

So now that you are ready, letā€™s go fishing on a local pier!!

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 ā€œset you upā€ 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 canā€™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