Saltwater Fishing

Fall Surf Tournament Time

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Fishing in one of the various surf tournaments is no time for trial and error. Especially when you are limited to time and space. My experience tells me that there are several important components to being successful during this type of a surf fishing event. And being competitive in these events, there are several skill sets needed.

Homework is the key to any fishing trip but imperative in this type of competition.Ā  First, the fish or target species need to be in the area or zone. Canā€™t catch them, if they are not there.

Past reports should give you a good idea of what’s been caught recently and how. Success isn’t about luck; it’s about targeting. You must understand the precise habits, feeding behaviors, and structural preferences of your target fish. Gear types and sizes along with appropriate rigging and baits should match the species you target. Previous reports should indicate whether you need to target passive such as sea mullets, spot or croaker or aggressive bluefish, puppy drum or trout. Each species requires a different set of gear and technique. Study and remember it.

Once the participants determine what gear and bait works best, a smart team begins to use a range from either light medium rods for small species to the heavy gear rod sets for the seasonal huge migrating drum and blues.

Next is the local conditions such as air and water temperatures, tide phases, wind speed and direction. Remember the ocean can change by the hour. So fishing two sessions per day within two continuous days gives the angler the best opportunity to fish the best conditions. A skilled angler continuously monitors how external factors impact their immediate area and adjust accordingly.

Reading the surf and water is not an overnight lesson. It takes time to focus on the various parts of the sand and waves. The beach is not a flat desert; it is full of underwater topography. Finding the fish means actively scanning the water to evaluate sand formations and wave actions. You have to locate the deeper sloughs, look for the breaks in the sandbars, and identify the specific troughs where fish are using.

Before the angler casts the first time, they need to step back and take in the entire scene. Start at the surf. Is it flat or tapered, has cusps or is it sloped. This indicates a deeper slough. Next, monitor the waves. When and where do they break? This view can indicate the bars. Some surf zones have two. Placing the baits either stationary or shifting will give the angler the best chance to cover the correct zone.

Once all the boxes are checked, now the clock starts, don’t just throw straight out. Fan cast your lines at different angles and distancesā€”one short in the trough, one medium on the edge of the bar, and one deep in the cutā€”to quickly locate where the schools are moving. Each member of your team should use a proven technique. And with a process of elimination, anglers should move to that technique. With one always remaining a little different.

While Iā€™m past my days participating in these events, I find it fascinating that even though years pass, the old tried and true, back to basics, seems to be the trigger of the day. Enjoy this tournament season and the camaraderie that this friendly competition brings. Safety is always first as is conservation.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Ready Set Drum Roll

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September marks the start of the legendary run of big drum on the Outer Banks. The autumn air brings a crisp northeast breeze, cooling water temperatures and the highly anticipation of fall big drum migration.

Anglers wait all year for a chance to catch one of these trophy giants. North Carolina big drum are well known for their huge size and ferocious fight. Anglers travel many miles to experience this phenomenon.

These remarkable creatures originately known as puppy drum, can grow 40 to 50 inches or more in a matter of couple years. Once they reach full size, they are referred to as ā€œbullā€ or just big drum.

Big drum are originally targeted early on in the surf. But as the conditions change, anglers have their best chance to land one on the ocean piers. The best bites occur with rough churning seas and constant winds up to 20 to 30 miles per hour.

Most pier anglers focus on the deep end but many different sizes of fish, along with the big drum, are caught along the entire length of the pier. So proper location is imperative.

To catch these giants, specialized gear and rigging is required. Heavy conventional or spinning surf rods of eight to ten feet or longer rated and reels designed to hold 17-20 lbs of monofilaments or 30-50 lbs braided line are the standard set up. Caution using braid lines on piers or near other anglers. And donā€™t forget that 50 lbs mono shock leader.

Rigging and baits are personalized. My favorite rig is the “Fish Finder” with short leaders and circle hooks. This rig helpsĀ  prevent deep hooking and is the one most frequently used. The second one is a standard drum or cannon ball rig. This rig uses a heavy sinker slide attached to a weight on the main line swivel then a short leader with your preferred circle hook. Either way, these rigs work well.

Cut pieces of menhaden, mullet or spot are the baits of choice. Large chunks including bait heads with lots of scent attract these big drum. Anglers are known to use chunks of finger mullet or other oily smelly baits too.

The key to catching them is placing your baits where the drum are. While you may have the tendency to long cast, big drum will stay near structures. So while under the pier is perilous and can result in snag or being cut off, this area holds drum.

Every angler has their own strategy. Some anglers position themselves directly at the end of the pier, others will start at the shallow part and move to cover each side, just moving and looking for another opportunity. Another strategy, the big drum moves around to find a food source, so the anglers should too.

Regardless of your strategies. The passionate drum angler watches the weather and knows the migration signs.

Remember all red drum over 27 inches must be safely released in North Carolina, handling them with care is paramount. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, minimize their time on the dry sand or pier deck, snap a quick photo, and support the fish in the water until it swims away under its own power.

Joining the elite fraternity of anglers who have landed an OBX autumn giant is an unforgettable experience, and protecting the fishery ensures the tradition continues for generations to come.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt TonyĀ 

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