FISH LIKE A LOCAL

Fish LIKE A LOCAL By Mattie Dalia TRYING TO FORECAST FISHING ON THE OUTER BANKS is much like trying to predict the weather—there is no sure thing. The best advice I can offer is to just get out there and get a line wet, as much as you can. And what better time of the year to do that than summertime? Bring on the sunny days, warm water and fun fishing!

Offshore

One of the main draws for people to take a charter boat out of the Outer Banks is the close proximity to the Gulf Stream—that’s where the big fish are. Take a look at our coastal position on Google Maps. See where the water color turns dark? That is the edge of the primo, warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Early summer, the boats should get into dolphin, yellowfin and big-eye. Later summer, they should add catches of marlin and wahoo.

Pier

The Outer Banks is home to some of the best fishing piers in the world. Some people don’t realize the size of the fish caught on piers, and large cobia, amber jack and king mackerel leave tourists and locals alike in awe when they are hauled in. Typical summer catches include bluefish, spanish mackerel, spot, croaker, sea mullet and triggerfish. To get a leg up, always ask the person behind the pier counter what’s biting and on what bait.

Inshore/Nearshore

While you probably won’t catch the larger billfish typical of an offshore trip, there are numerous advantages, including less expensive options (half-day trips are cheaper), quick rides to fishing spots, and the ability to dodge rough conditions by staying in the sound. If you go wreck fishing in the summer, you can find tilefish, sea bass, grouper and amberjacks. Trolling nearshore can produce catches of cobia, bluefish, spanish and king mackerel.

Surf

When I go surf fishing, I only have one expectation: to have a wonderful time. Not good advice, but I have gone hours not checking my bait, enjoying time with friends and drinking cold beverages on a beautiful sunny day. But, if you DO want to catch some fish, you can target and catch sea mullet, pompano and croaker by bottom fishing with live bait. Throwing plastic lures or scented lures on lead jig heads can also produce trout and bluefish.

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Tips and valuable info

FISH FOR FREE. While you’ll need a N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing License, these locations have no entry fee and can offer good fishing: behind the Bodie Island Lighthouse, under the Manteo bridge, and on the pier created from the former Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet.

KEEP A LINE IN THE WATER. Fishing can be extremely unpredictable. But those who catch fish are successful because they KEEP FISHING. If I can provide any advice, it’s to keep a line in the water; don’t give up because it’s slow. I’ve seen slow times turn instantly into some of the best catches. The patient are often rewarded.

SCOUT THE SURF FOR HOLES. Fish like to hang out in deeper holes near the surf, and low tide can be a great time to find these holes. After you find the primo spots, start fishing them an hour before the incoming high tide, when the water and (hopefully) fish should start to fill in.

SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING RIGHT. While on the pier or in the surf, if you see someone out-catching everybody, take some time to observe their technique, bait being used, etc. Heck, you can even introduce yourself and ask for a few pointers. I’ve seen shelves at the tackle store get cleared out of a certain color lure by the observant.

PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Just because you can keep 15 bluefish a day doesn’t mean you should. Us anglers should be conservationists of the sea and practice moderation. Keep what you will eat, and release the rest to live another day.

TOTAL LENGTH VERSUS FORK LENGTH. When measuring a fish and adhering to N.C. Fishing Regulations, make sure you do it correctly. Some fish, like speckled trout, have minimal total length requirements, which is measured from the head to a pinched tail. Other fish, like Spanish mackerel, are covered by a minimum fork length, a measurement from the head to the apex of the fork of the tail.