Outer Banks

Timing Matters

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The time of the day to fish does matter. Just look around at all the most popular fishing locations. They are crowded early in the morning and occasionally just before dark or even at night. There must be something to these specific times that brings these anglers out. And there is.

Traditionally, it has been the experience among anglers that it’s better to fish before breakfast or after dinner. Whether this is just a habit or the only time they can get on the water, is anybody’s guess. But there are many reasons why anglers would prefer these times opposed to others.

Comfort is one. Cooler weather conditions and enjoying the outdoor experience could be part of the equation. Or it might just be that the fish actually bite better during those times. Who knows the actual reason but there are several theories that could tell the story. So let’s explore several.

There is definitely a big difference between fishing dawn and dusk versus day time. Conditions like daily sunrises, sunsets, various moon phases;  and just plain cooler air and water temperatures along with the amount of light striking the water all can contribute to a change in feeding habits and increase the bite.

The sun has always had an effect on fishing. On bright days with the sun directly overhead seems to chase the fish deep in the water and slows their metabolism. On the other hand, low light and cloudy days seem to turn the bite on.

At dawn and dusk, the sun rays can be at a sharper angle to the water. This angle allows for lower light to penetrate the water and enhances the sight of various marine species. The lower light conditions can give feeding species an advantage finding food or the bait quickly because of their light sensitive eyes.

The moon phases can also affect the movement and height of the tides but more importantly this water movement can confuse many bait fish.  And this water movement can also bring in a change in more comfortable water temperatures.

Another theory is that there is a different amount of oxygen content in the water. Cooler water contains more oxygen than warmer water. So it’s natural that fish find comfort in these cooler conditions and tend to feed more.

At dusk, the air temperature will usually drop. The cooler air causes the water temperatures to also decrease slightly. This cooling trend creates a desirable environment for most species. Small living organisms and bait fish are extremely active during these times and make for easy prey of the larger fish. So with more activity brings an increase in the possible success rate.

At dawn, the air temperatures begin to increase with the sun rise. The water temperatures will also increase. Even though it might be slight, the fish seem to sense this change and typically will begin to feed aggressively during this period being aware that their feeding cycle may end soon.  As the temperature continues to rise into the morning and dawn turns into day, this change causes the fish and their prey to slow down considerably and seek deeper cooler waters again.

Obviously, these are only a couple of my theories on why fish feed more aggressively during these times. There could be many other conditions and reasons why fish are more active at dawn and dusk.

Regardless of the reasons, anglers will continue to look forward to that “before breakfast and after dinner bite”.

So now the next question based on the facts, “will you try your luck at dusk or dawn too”?

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Boat Ramp Wars

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I know this is a shore based fishing resource page but sometimes it’s nice to change it up a little. August means boat season is heating up so it’s a great time to talk about boat ramp etiquette.

Proper boat ramp etiquette means preparing your vessel away from the water, taking turns in order, and clearing the active lane immediately after launch.

Follow these key rules to keep traffic moving safely: prep in the staging area, launch without blocking the ramp, and park your vehicle properly.

Before You Reach the Ramp

  • Do your prep work early: Put in your drain plug, load your safety gear, take off tie-downs, and test the engine while parked in the prep or staging area.
  • Wait your turn: Line up in order and do not cut in front of others who are waiting for their turn at the ramp.
  • Use courtesy lighting: Dim or turn off your vehicle’s bright headlights if you are launching or loading in the dark so you do not blind other drivers.

On the Ramp and Dock

  • Never block the ramp with gear: Do not load coolers, extra passengers, or gear onto the boat while it sits on the ramp. Do all final loading after the boat is in the water and moved away from the active lane.
  • Clear the ramp fast: As soon as the boat is off the trailer, one person should move the boat to the courtesy dock or idle out into the water while the driver pulls the vehicle away.
  • Share dock space: Tie your boat securely using short lines at the end or side of the dock so you do not hog space and block other incoming or outgoing boaters.

Parking and Retrieving

  • Park in designated spots only: Leave your truck and trailer inside the proper marked stalls, taking up only a single space so you do not block turning lanes.
  • Reverse the process on retrieval: Get your vehicle ready in the staging area before pulling down to load the boat back onto the trailer. Pull the plug and drain live wells in the designated cleanup area away from the ramp to stop the spread of invasive species.

Courtesy goes a long way between boaters. Never know they might even share one of their favorite fishing spots.

Until next time – Captain Tony

Know Your Knots

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When anglers talk about their fishing gear, secret locations and special techniques, they seem to ignore one of the most important parts of their system. The fishing knot. Most anglers are very complacent about knots. They typically will just tie them and forget them. Usually, they are tied once and unless they change a jig head or add a line, these are good for the day, a week or longer.

But little do most anglers realize that the knot is the weakest part of their fishing gear and should be re-tied periodically.  And if they are not tied correctly, they could cost the angler not only their catch but the gear and rigging.

There are dozens of different fishing knots used by anglers. But there are only several that are actually needed.  They fall into three categories: line to line, line to tackle or gear “tight”, and line to tackle or gear “loose”.

Let’s talk about the first type: line to line. Knots that work best for tying line to lines are 1) double uni-knots, 2) simplified blood knot and 3) albright knot. These are all very easy to tie and will perform well in most circumstances. The first two are used on lines of equal diameter. While the Albright knot can be used on equal or unequal diameter lines.

The second type of knots is the line to tackle “tight”. Knots that hold the line to the tackle are a single uni-knot, Palamor knot, improved clinch knot, and snelling knot. Each of these knots are suitable for securing the tackle to the end of the leader.

The third type of knot is the line to tackle “loose”. This category contains a doppler loop knot, double surgeon’s knot and spider hitch. These knots allow anglers to create loops or a loose connection that will give the hook or lure more action.

There are many more knots to choose from such as Bimini Twist and FG knots. Braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon respond a little differently to these knots. So each one has a place on your list. This is only a sample list of the most popular and frequently used knots so it’s important to learn which one works best.

Want to learn more about knots? There are dozens of YouTube videos for great “how-to” videos to give a hands-on demostration.

Remember knots are the weakest link in your gear set up so it is imperative that you re-tie your knots at least daily. And while you are inspecting your knots, it could also be a great time to check the condition of your other components and connections.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony