Pier 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

Member of the Club

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Lately, we have been hearing about local fishing clubs having difficulty attracting both new and young members. Here is my recommendation on joining a club.

Fishing clubs can be the best way for a new angler to learn about a local fishery. It can be very frustrating when an angler move§ to a new area and has to start over. But it might be a little more helpful to find that fishing buddy who can show them the best locations and proven techniques in the new area.

But what typically happens when anglers move into a new area? They try winging it on their own. They may eventually give in and stop into a local tackle shop. They might pick up a new rod and reel, grab some bait and then hit the first and possibly the easiest spot and hope for the best. Good start but still not the consistency they need.

Now they may even fall back and attempt to use their personal “it worked up north” gear. They will soon realize that this gear will not hold up for this type of fishing. There is a good chance they may catch something and possibly have a good time. But once they get past that stage, they may ask themselves, now what? Will they continue to return to the tackle shop for advice and keep tempting fate fish or bite the bullet and find a fishing buddy who can show them the ropes?

Well, that’s where a fishing club comes into play. A fishing club can take that new or even experienced angler to the next level. As with every hobby, using certain techniques that if utilized properly will make the activity more successful and even a lot of fun. And this work§ the same way with fishing. Make it a habit doing things right the first time and good times will follow.

Joining a fishing club will give those new anglers that competitive edge. And with the access to a host of knowledgeable and experienced members and the support and camaraderie found there, the angler will find it to be a win-win proposition.

Membership is not just one sided affair though. This commitment in a fishing club takes work. Each member is asked to participate in a number of activities all of which makes the club successful.

There are periodic meetings, assorted committees, picnics, awards dinners and of course tournaments. These all take volunteers to make it happen.  But the rewards are worth the effort.

Most fishing clubs meet monthly sometimes for just a few hours. Typically, there are several part§ of each meeting: Club business, speaker, committee reports and open forum.

Fishing clubs are the best opportunity for an angler to expand their skill level. It can open many doors typically not usually available to the casual angler.

If you are looking for something new and exciting, joining a local fishing club is time well spent and is definitely worth your effort.

The Outer Banks has several types of fishing clubs looking to add new members. Several choices are: Cape Hatteras Anglers Club, Outer Banks Anglers Club and the Nags Head Fishing Club. If you are looking for new friendships and a place to learn new techniques, then check them out.

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