Recent weather and wind, coupled with the lack of people here on the island have all been factors in a slow start to the season for charter fishers. The inshore guys reported some nice trout catches of gray trout, as well as croakers and small bluefish. A cobia was caught earlier this week, according to the Tradewinds Tackle Shop report. This is a good sign that our fishing will get back to what’s typical for the season.
Dolphin, which are also typical for this time of year, have shown up in full force. Drumstick had a pretty catch last weekend, along with some wahoo and bonita.
A short inshore trip last week aboard Dream Girl with Capt. Stevie Wilson didn’t result in dinner, but we did hook fish every cast. Croakers and ling cod and trout - some even double headers. An unexpected front sent us back in, so we really didn’t have time to keep trying. Even though the fish were small, I had a blast feeling the action on the Penn rods with the braid.ed line Another cool thing about charter fishers, you don’t even have to bait your hook or de-hook your fish.
The next day when the weather had cleared, I was out in Teach’s Hole baiting my own hook and helping a novice fisher de-hook her fish aboard a private boat. This impromptu fishing trip with some buddies from work resulted in the catch and release of some small trout, a few croakers and some pinfish. Heading further west in the Pamlico, we found a spot with some structure and caught (and released) some small black bass. It was here we got a few gray trout, too. I caught my limit, as did two others on the boat.
I’ve also heard of some big drum inshore, as well as nice black drum and a few sheepshead. Folks heading to Portsmouth Island have also landed big drum - in the surf and surrounding waters.
On Ocracoke beaches, I’m happy to report South Point beach is still open all the way to the end. Folks fishing out there have been rewarded with some nice bluefish, both large and small. A gorgeous pompano was landed by my fishing buddy Rusty Purser. He said it tasted good, too. Sea mullet and nice black drum have also been landed along Ocracoke beaches.
I’ve been heading out and giving it a try, but perhaps I’m hitting it at the wrong tide. Seems like each time I head out, it’s dead high or dead low tide. Fishers have told me it’s best to fish on two hours before or after tides. Go figure.
I left a honey hole (that wasn’t very sweet to me) near South Point when some weather moved in last week. I heard later that the crew that stayed were rewarded with some big blues. So, maybe it’s the cloudy weather that makes the blues want to bite.
Catches or not, the sights on that sacred part of Ocracoke are spectacular. I’ve found some sand dollars, a scattered scotch bonnet and witnessed a few to-die-for sunsets on South Point in recent days. It’s just nice to be allowed out there. No word yet when or if it will close. Closures are announced on an as-needed baasis, depending on nesting activity from birds or turtles. It could be any day.<>
The Park Service opens wide spot of beach, stretching north of ramp 67 all the way to the tip of South Point for The Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament and I have to admit, I felt a little renegade as I drove by the permanent barriers near lifeguard beach.
OISFT is now behind us, with many memorable events taking place for the 30th year. It was great to see the people on the island (most of ‘em anyway) and I was happy to have fished as an alternate on a female team the NC Sea Hags.
I had a conversation on tournament eve - opening night as I’ve been calling it - about tournament fishing versus solitude fishing. And, as I sat on the far southern corner of my team’s station in the hard northeast winds, it occurred to me that I am much more of a solitude fisher than I realized. I guess I’m just not really used to fishing with people I don’t know.
I was prepared, though. Actually, I was sponsored by Team Advanced Fishing, out of Rodanthe. Ryan White let me fish with his equipment - the same stuff his team took second place with. It didn’t work so well for me, I finished the event with zero points.
The ladies I fished with have a history of winning and I see why. They don’t mess around out there. One of the girls caught a pretty black drum, scoring us 6 points. We were in second place as of Thursday. I didn’t get a picture, because there was no time to play drum paparazzi. Lines were to stay in the water.
Somehow I missed the Carolina Boys sausage on Friday morning. I was kinda bummed about that, too.
But, despite the nasty northeast winds and a few other factors that cast a negative light on the tournament, I’m still proud to have fished it and participated. It’s great to see our streets bustling with activity and our rentals filled with paying customers. Thanks to all that made the OISFT a success, ensuring a community event that the island can continue be proud of. A bigger thanks in advance to these folks that will keep the faith for an even better 31st tournament next year.
Another new Ocracoke tournament is taking place as we speak. Now in it’s 3rd year, it’s an offshore boating event dubbed the Redneck Tournament, sponsored by some businesses in and near little Washington. It’s nice to see folks come down and support our local economy by fishing local waters.
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I was on the docks Wednesday at the Anchorage Marina and got a chance to participate in some of the camaraderie as folks from the inner banks convened to compare boat amenities and fix stuffing boxes. This is the tournament spirit - swapping stories, meeting fellow fishers and reconnecting with old buddies. Thanks to these folks for coming down and supporting our island economy. We sure could use it.
From what I hear, most Redneck Tournament fishers took a lay day on Thursday. I’m excited to find out what wins the purse and to see these characters get together for the awards celebration Friday. We will keep you posted.
Commercial fishers have been catching trout and drum and that’s what’s for dinner from Ocracoke Fish House. Support this island trade by stopping by the Ocracoke Fish House and buying some fillets of these prized fish. Also, if you haven’t already, please do your part to oppose the 2013 Fisheries Economic Development Act – an act that will prevent you from buying these tasty fish (striped bass, spotted sea trout and red drum).
Ocracoke Current co-founder Sundae Horn did a great job pulling out the hidden agenda in this bill. Like she said, the Current has never pretended to be unbiased on this issue. On behalf of our island community, click here to see how you can help and to learn more about HB 983,
Until next time, keep your line (or net) in the water and Fish On the Current!