It’s Tuesday, Nov 5th, and these 15 – 25 mph NE winds are generating a strong onshore windswell that is complicating our ocean fishing report.  It’s mostly sunny today, expect a high of 61 degrees and a 0% chance of rain.  Sunset will arrive at 5:03 pm; sunrise tomorrow will be at 6:30 am.
First tide is low at 1:47 am with a high at 8:05 am
Second tide is low at 2:38 pm and a high at 8:26 pm

Although conditions are challenging, there are fish to be caught by those hardy and adventurous  souls willing to brave the brisk winds and surging seas.   Puppy drum love these conditions.

At the reddrumtackle.com site in the main forum (click on AGE) there is an interesting thread discussing the age and  growth rate of red drum, our state fish.  In 2011 N C marine biologists reported there had been the “most productive spawn in decades” that year.  Correspondingly in fall of 2012 there were very good catch numbers of 13″-17″ fish.  These slot-sized pups we are currently harvesting are that 2011 class and barring any weather anomalies will give us another good run next year after which they will graduate out of the N C slot to hopefully become a whole new mega class of breeders (or am I hoping for too much?  To quote Bob Eakes, “I hope we get completely  overrun with puppy drum.”).  This is where I say thank you to fish management and hope I live long enough to enjoy the benefits.

As always , TAKE A KID FISHING!!!  Coolbreeze out

For the 3rd of Nov expect mostly sunny skies, 0% chance of rain, high around 58 degrees.  Winds will be northerly 15 – 25 mph, sunset at 5:06 pm EST and sunrise at 6:07 am EST ( did you set your clocks back from daylight saving time? )
First tide is low at 1:12 am and high at 6:28 am
Second tide is low at 12:58 pm and high at6:46 pm

As far as weekends go, this has been a slow one.  When I called Avalon this morning, Budgie told me there was no one fishing.  Duck Research posted the water temp @ 66 degrees.  Jennettes and Outer Banks piers had a few hardy souls with lines in the water but the only thing landed so far was a couple of skates.  Sean at Fishing Unlimited next to the little bridge reported that they had observed 1 (one) small trout and a puppy drum this morning.  Slow everywhere.  They must have enjoyed Halloween too much and forgot to set their clocks back.

Thursday morning the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament kicks off.   Good luck to everyone involved – I hope you all catch tons of fish this week.

As always, TAKE A KID FISHING!!!   Coolbreeze out

Hump day on the bar and it’s gorgeous outside.  High around 70, mostly sunny, winds are light from the S.  Sunset is 6:10 pm, sunrise tomorrow is 7:23 am.
First tide is high at 4:31 am and low at 10:46 am
Second tide is high at 4:40 pm and low at11:02 pm

Water temp at Duck Research Pier is posted at 63 nipply degrees ( for me anyway ).  Reports have been a little slow lately but the usual bottom feeders like spot, croaker, and sea mullet have been providing some action with some response from speckled trout and puppy drum also.

In my emails yesterday was some chest thumping from Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.  Their season is slowing down for sure, but their statistics are impressive.  Total billfish for the O I fleet this year is 2,964 and still counting – white marlin catches alone account for 2,664 of that number.  This was a special year for white marlin so we’re hoping for many more.

Be a hero, TAKE A KID FISHING!!!   Coolbreeze out

It’s another bluebird day on the sandbar that we call the outer banks, just a little cooler than I would like it.  Winds are light NW shifting this afternoon to SW 10 – 15.  Under bright sunny skies expect a high temp of 59 – 60 degrees and a 0% chance of rain.  Sunset is 6:15 pm and sunrise tomorrow is 7:19 am.
First tide is high at 12:49 am and low at 6:53 am
Second tide is high at 1:05 pm with a low at 7:49 pm

Checking in with the piers this morning, I guess most of the fishermen were taking a lazy day and starting off slower than usual – kind of hard to roll out of that warm bed maybe.  Catches included puppy drum, bluefish, spot, sea mullet and some black drum.

The little bridge was the lone hot spot with 35 – 40 anglers lining the rails catching mostly specks and stripers.  The crew at Fishing Unlimited guesstimated the keeper/throwback ratio at about 50/50.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center said the boats were going out today.  Yesterdays catches included good numbers of yellowfin, wahoo and dolphin.

Seize the day!!! TAKE A KID FISHING!!!   Coolbreeze out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

It’s Monday Oct 21st and it’s looking to be a beautiful fall day on the sandbar.  Water temp at the Field Research Facility in Duck is posted at 66 degrees.  The winds are off the ocean NE shifting to E at 10 mph.  Skies are mostly clear, high 70, 0% chance of rain today, showers possible after midnight.  Sunset 6:21 pm, sunrise tomorrow at 7:14 am.
First tide is low at 3:07 am and high at 9:20 am
Second tide is low at 4:oo pm with a high at 9:41 pm

Checking with the piers this morning they report the ocean is fairly clean and catches include nice spot, puppy drum, croaker and some small bluefish – much the same on the beaches.  Fresh bait is a problem around here lately.  If you’re catching small bottom fish, well, they’re the freshest thing in your bucket, problem solved.

Sean at Fishing Unlimited next to the little bridge told us the catch included speckled trout and puppy drum this morning.   Yesterday a fellow from Elizabeth City landed a 38 inch striper out there.  That must have got everyone else all excited for awhile – I’ll bet the cell phones were busy.

Boats didn’t  go out yesterday but today is a different day.

Great day to TAKE A KID FISHING!!!   Coolbreeze out