The Outer Banks spring fishing season is well under way with most of our summer species already showing up in the standard venues. Atlantic and sound side piers have opened after weathering the off season. Some of our local piers sustained minor damage over the winter. They are now operating at full strength and welcoming both anglers and seeing good catches of puppy drum, blues and plenty of bottom fish.

Soundside docks and bridges are also becoming productive and will continue to get better each day once the water temperatures increase.

While there is excitement of heading out to join the other anglers, this is a good time to take a step back and review last year’s gear and bait choices, techniques and locations.

Now comes the preventive measures. After many months of dormancy, skill sets and tackle can lose their effectiveness. So now is the time to recover those techniques.

Saltwater gear has a limited shelf life regardless of your attention and care. Take time to evaluate your rod and reels. Correct any corrosion or surface dirt. Replace your line and coat the entire system with a good marine lubricant.

Check all tackle boxes. If you were an artificial bait angler, rusty hooks and connectors can fail after being exposed to saltwater over the course of a year. Plastic baits harden and lose scent when in storage. Having the correct feel and scent is a game changer.

Special techniques can lose their flair over time. Even the best professional anglers seek pointers after time off. Hire a guide or find a friend to evaluate your casting and retrieval techniques. Well worth your time.

Anglers have known for years that even certain species seem to have a memory recall. Occasionally we find what was used last year may not be effective this year. And that not only applies to techniques, but the actual baits. Never be afraid to change up or modify your gear, baits or even retrieval methods.

Scouting some of your old favorite places ensures you are prepared for any changes. It’s best to start at places that were productive last year and work your way to locations recommended by friends and tackle staff.

Tackle shops and pier staff are valuable resources when starting out each new year. Know your creel and bag limits. Know partial or full season closers. Unexpected changes can occur without much notice. Two agencies share regulation oversight on our fishery. Know all sets of rules before you go.

Many of our transitional species including some of our summer species are being landed from northern beaches of Corolla all the way to Hatteras Village and Ocracoke. So the time to go is now.

It appears that after a long winter off season, this year is beginning to mirror last year, which most consider one of the best.

First time out, anglers should pick the right tides, check water temperatures and use only the freshest baits. This will give the spring angler the best opportunity to be successful.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt Tony