Wokokon Beauty

Jeramy Guillory

Fishing Report April 25, 2016

“You won’t see another day like this one in a long time,” says Dream Girl Captain Stevie Wilson, as he readies his boat for a day to remember.  It is Monday April 25th and the marine forecast is prime for a huge day offshore. Winds are out of the east at only 5 kts changing over to the south by mid-day with miles and miles of visibility.  It is not just the big ocean that is expecting a push for greatness, either.  Clear skies and warm ocean water pushing from the east means an aqua blue lagoon on the sound and shoals that would rival any Caribbean oasis. Wokokon beauty!

Slick calm sound as charter depart Monday morning
Slick calm sound as charter depart Monday morning

Teach's Hole, Monday morning
Teach's Hole, Monday morning

The anticipation was palpable the day before as charter captains and first mates began preparing for Monday morning’s departure from Anchorage Inn and into the Gulf Stream. With only two to four feet swells and little to no wind expected, it wasn’t going to take long to find that deep, translucent blue flow of warm water known as Gulf Stream. And while each team of charters make friendly chatter, seemingly eager to assist one another – tying ballyhoo skirts, sharing bait, tackle, and supplies, there is something else not so amicable in the air. Competition! Bragging rights! Who caught what, when, how, and where. And yes, size matters! Because for these veterans of the game it all translates into green-backs for the rest of the $eason. And it’s not only the charters that are reeling for a big day. There are private fishermen (and women) out there looking to make a score as well. After all, they didn’t spend a quarter-mill on that boat and tackle for nothing.  Post it on Facebook. Share it on twitter. Upload pictures to the website for all to envy, because it’s – about – to – go – down.

Looking back over Hog Shoal, as we get a 5 kt. blow.
Looking back over Hog Shoal, as we get a 5 kt. blow.

The warmer weather also brings tourists. Whether it be a trip with the family, “girls’ week of fun,” or “guys’ week for fishing,” all are welcome. Additionally, there is a particular group of ladies the fellas can’t wait to make a move on as spring approaches. While it may be a week or two early for these girls to arrive on the island, listen closely around the docks and you will hear them say it – The C word. That’s right. Spring is in the air and you can smell it. Some say it tastes fishy.  Some say it’s all they eat. The Big C. The Crab Eater. The Brown Bomber. The Big Bertha. The Black Kingfish. The Ling or Lemonfish (as they say in Louisiana.) But around here we say, COBIA. You can bet your bottom dollar anybody heading out this morning is eager to be the first to haul in one of these girls. (Females grow larger than males at 70lbs in just 3 years.)  Baby Got Back!

Dram Girl catch
Dram Girl catch

The O’cockers will say the first catch of the season doesn’t really count unless you catch a cobia in the sound, but there is still a lot of chest pumping should you be the one to put it out on the docks come Showtime. The display should be listed as a tourist attraction on the Ocracoke website if it isn’t already. Head down to SMacnally’s Raw bar and Grill at the Anchorage Inn and Marina between 4–5p.m. Get a seat in the sun, order a fruity mimosa for the lady and a hoppy IPA on draft, then enjoy the show. It’s great for the kids too, as they run around watching the fish cleaning and asking, “What kind of fish is that, Daddy?” The dock's fish cleaning guru, Brandon, will likely be there to answer your fish species questions without the slur of condescending mumble one might expect. Let’s face it, for any self-respecting man asking another man for the name of a fish being bellied with a fillet knife is akin to stopping at a garage and asking the local mechanic for directions. The docks is no place for sissies. But you don’t have to put your tail too far between your legs here. Brandon is a super friendly guy who is willing to share his knowledge with you. Just don’t forget the tip.

First boat to leave the docks that morning was Jamin Simmons aboard Salvation, a private fishing team hosting Johnathon from Fairfield, NC.  They lost one nice sized dolphin (mahi mahi) on troll but returned with 8 blackfin. No cobia sightings reported.

Mollie
Mollie

Captain Farris O’Neal and his team of two left the docks about thirty minutes later on the Drumstick. “We left about 6:30, because somebody was late,” said Farris poking fun at Mr. Coggins who was one of a party of two along with Sam Myers of Wrightsville Beach, NC.  The team reeled in 3 dolphin, 2 blackfin, 3 ambers, 3 sea bass, 4 trigger and 11 snapper.  The team did report the sighting of a 70 lbs cobia, “…That came so close to the boat we could have gaffed him up, but couldn’t get him (her) to bite.”

Juan Galvis and his wife Maria, part time residents on Ocracoke, were third out of the harbor on their private 28ft pursuit.   Intending to take just a short trip out a few miles to artificial reefs and wrecks, they bottom fished and landed 1 amberjack, 2 false albacore, and a 30-inch grouper (which had to be returned because grouper is not in season yet.)  They did sight 6 large cobia that swam up to the boat with 3 sharks but like the Drumstick crew couldn’t get them to take anything on line. The big prize for this team was the 38.9 lbs citation king mackerel on troll.

Finally Tony and Mollie Hilligos from Ocean City, Maryland joined Captain Steve Wilson after missing the Hatteras ferry by just five minutes and departed the docks about an hour late aboard the Dream Girl. The team landed 36 trigger, 1 blackfin, 3 snapper, and 3 amberjacks that they threw back.  “We also got a grouper one week too soon,” said Tony Hilligos.  A chef by trade, Tony described his grouper menier complete with an emulsified lemon and brown butter sauce.  “It’s the best eating fish out there.” 

Wokokon snapper need no sauce, but why argue with the French?

Tony
Tony
Farris and Coggins: "Somebody was late."
Farris and Coggins: "Somebody was late."
Wokokon Beauty
Sam Myers from Wrightsville Beach with his catch from the Drum Stick
Sam Myers from Wrightsville Beach with his catch from the Drum Stick
Sam (and a Brandon sighting)
Sam (and a Brandon sighting)
Anchorage Inn charter fleet
Anchorage Inn charter fleet
Juan with 38.9 lb. citation King Mackeral
Juan with 38.9 lb. citation King Mackeral
Maria with a 30-inch grouper
Maria with a 30-inch grouper
Panoramic photo from atop the Fishn-Impossible, a private boat from Boston, MA
Panoramic photo from atop the Fishn-Impossible, a private boat from Boston, MA

 

 

Comments powered by Disqus