ATE AND BAIT: Fishing News, Advice and Seafood Recipes

Be Content, The Sea Hath Fish Enough

2012-06-15T12:49:00.000-04:00

I recently returned from surf fishing at Emerald Isle, NC. In the past I have shown pictures of fish taken from Emerald Isle's surf. We are very fortunate to know a beachfront cottage owner there who offers us a generous discount when renting his property. In the past, I've always managed to catch enough fish in the surf there to have a respectable family fish fry by the fourth or fifth day. This trip was no exception.

The first couple of days were rough. The weather was blustery and rainy. There was a great amount of seaweed in the water and the current was so strong a five ounce sinker could not keep your bait in place. Hard fishing only yielded sharks and small northern puffers. Sad to say, nothing worth keeping. On the third day, things began to change. Water conditions become noticeably different. The current weakened to where a 3 ounce sinker could hold bottom. The shore was littered with seashells broken and battered by the previous two days of bad weather. Before dawn I am on the beach. My fisherman's sense was on high alert. I could envision the fish cruising under the surface. In my mind's eye, I pictured the bluefish on the hunt in the trough running parallel to the beach. Sunrise brought in a nice bluefish bite and when that died down, the 8 to 10 inch whiting eagerly took shrimp baited hooks cast just behind the first break. By 8:00 AM I had a fair amount of fish in the cooler and I took a little time off to eat breakfast and set up a sunshade and beach chairs for my girls. The rest of the day consisted of playing with my girls, picnic on the beach and building sandcastles. I managed to cast my lines a few more times and while the bluefish stayed away, the whiting consistently took bits of shrimp or a freshly dug up sand flea.

The next morning I was on the beach again before sunrise. Knowing I have enough for a fresh seafood meal this week, I now concentrate more on sports than sustenance. Bluefish and whiting again make their appearances. I keep a few and throw back more. I attach a Hopkins lure to my rod during the bluefish bite, however the blues weren't in the mood. They much preferred the finger mullet over the metal so I switched back. When the sun got a little higher I targeted the whiting and put four or five of those in my cooler. Later that day I bring out my Alvey rod and reel. I never have any more or less success with the Alvey than I do with my other rod and reels, however I do enjoy the stares and comments beachcombers give as they walk by. The whiting continued to bite all day off and on. Later in the afternoon the blues made another appearance and it was nice to reel them in. I really enjoy the bluefish's fight and instinct for self preservation. You reel him in and when he gets close to shore he finds it in him to offer up a little more resistance. Thank you bluefish for your fighting spirit. You are worthy fish.

On Friday the bite died down. Little to nothing took the lines. It was just as well, I again got to play with my daughters, repair washed out sandcastles, capture sand fleas in bucket only to release them and look up down the beach for seashells. Normally we hold our fish fry on Friday, however the girls only wanted to eat hotdogs and frankly after a long day of playing with them I didn't feel like cooking anything major.

Saturday morning I walked out on the beach just after sunrise and BA-BAM! The bite was on! I knew we would definitely cook our fish that night because on Sunday we would have to return home. I also knew we had enough fish and wouldn't need to keep anymore. All was well, I was regularly reeling in the fish and throwing them back. Then around 9:30 or so the 12 inch+ whiting showed up and I kept the next four. The twelve inchers continued to bite, however I forced myself to throw them back. We really had more than we needed. All in all, the bite lasted all day with just a few breaks. Some fishermen about 100 yards from me claimed to have spotted two five foot sharks swim by and wanted to know if I had seen them. Alas, I never saw them. That night I cooked up several whiting and bluefish filet's in a most simple fashion. I greased down a cookie sheet, placed the cleaned fish on the pan and set them in a preheated 500 degree oven. Five minutes into the cooking I turned over the fish and returned the fish to the oven for another six minutes. Pulling the fish out of the oven, I checked the meat to make sure it was visually white and flaked easily with a fork. I served these up with a can of Bush's Baked Beans and some coleslaw. Voila! A seafood dinner unrivaled by many restaurants.

Tight Lines and Fresh Bait!

R. M. Callaway

Dr. Beach Puts Cape Hatteras At Number 5 On Top Ten List: Good Luck Enjoying Full Access If You Are A Fisherman

2011-06-07T15:46:00.024-04:00

5. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina.
Bulging far offshore of the mainland coast as a barrier island, Cape Hatteras was the first National Seashore. Providing some of the best board surfing along the East Coast, as well as the most famous lighthouse in the United States, Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic fishing villages. Nature lovers adore the excellent beachcombing and superb fishing. - From Dr. Beach's 2011 America's Best Beaches - for more see - http://www.drbeach.org/Detailed%20List.htm

Cape Hatteras certainly belongs on Dr. Beach's list. I hope that by its mention on his list, more American citizens travel to visit their Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. (Recreation is an important part of the name Dr. Beach, try not to leave it out in 2012.) The people living in the villages along North Carolina's Outer Banks certainly need your tourist dollars to help support their weakened economic situation. Since the creation of CHNSRA, tourism dollars have progressively played an increasing role in the area's economy. Today the area's economy is primarily centered on tourism. Summer tourist typically come to enjoy the usual summer beach activities. Surf, sand and waterplay sufficient enough for the summer tourist can be accessed easily enough near the public parking areas and near the hotels. The CHNSRA beaches are great for this, plus there are many other opportunities appealing to summer tourists as well. The world famous lighthouse, superb seafood, ferry rides, sailboarding, minigolf, nature treks, etc. The Summer tourist is most certainly welcomed, however the major contributor to Outer Banks tourism dollars are the thousands of recreational fisherman who visit the CHNSRA every year, not just in the summer, but also in the spring, fall and parts of the winter as well. (Some of the best striped bass fishing from the surf occurs in the winter, in case you didn't know.) Long considered a mecca for surf fisherman, the Outer Banks offer unparalleled surf fishing experiences. Along the Atlantic Coast, doubtfully there is another section of beach more productive than the beaches of CHNSRA for the variety and quantity of fish sought by recreational surf fishermen. The fame of Cape Point for holding huge red drum is legendary. The chance of catching the fish of a lifetime draws surf fishermen here from all over the world. Unfortunately for surf fishing enthusiasts, current rules concerning beach access may well prevent them from fishing the world famous Cape Point.

The prime fishing areas on the Outer Banks are not easily accessible. As is most often true the world over, the best fishing occurs in remote places. Typically a four wheeled drive off road vehicle is needed to reach Cape Point, the Hook, Hatteras Inlet or Ocracoke's Beaches. These hallowed pieces of CHNSRA beaches are located miles from the nearest public access point. As mentioned in a previous blog, off road access along CHNSRA beaches is severely limited by the National Park Service's enforcement of a 2008 consent decree issued by a federal judge. The situation does not appear to be getting any better. The National Park Service and the Department of Interior seem oblivious to the wants and needs of the people of Hatteras Island. Their priorities seem more focused on the birds and special interest environmentalist groups. I recently read the blog written by the editor of The Island Free Press. The subject dealt with Off Road Vehicle Access. By reading this and other posts you come to understand that the people of Hatteras Island are being unfairly economically hindered by the lawsuits of special interest groups, a federal judge that legislates from the bench and the National Park Service enacting and enforcing an over-restrictive policy. To paraphrase one frustrated person who wrote on the Island Free Press - Editors Blog - NPS no longer means National Park Service, but National Plover Service. The area was not set aside for birds.

Current access to the Beach at CHNSRA is governed by the requirements of the 2008 Consent Agreement. NPS has increased the frequency and degree of monitoring select shorebird and sea turtle activity. Larger beach closures have been put in place in the guise of protecting the species under protection. (1000 meter buffers around Plover nests!) Off road vehicle and pedestrian access to beach areas has been denied at unprecedented levels. Some official beach closures have cut off accessibility to otherwise officially open beaches. Fishermen wishing to fish the surf at Cape Point must wade through the water to go around closures. (NPS authority ends at the low tide water mark.) It is also understood by the fishermen, that once they reach Cape Point, they are not to set foot on dry land or risk violating enclosures and be subject to fines and/or arrest. Given the perilous nature of the riptides, holes and currents this can be dangerous activity at best. People collecting seashells at Cape Point must not set foot on dry land either. ( http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/consentdecree.htm ) Miles and miles of once open beaches are officially closed to vehicles and to beach walkers. Citizens of the island are understandably upset, as they see the 2008 Consent Decree as a threat to tourism. Open access to the beaches is seen as one of the major draw of visitors. It has not been forgotten by the citizens of the island, that it was promised by the federal government that access to the beach was not to be denied.

The 2008 Consent Decree is only meant to be temporary. The National Park Service is tasked with establishing a plan governing the use of off road vehicles in the park. The proposed rule moving through bureaucratic channels promises to be more restrictive than the consent decree. The local populace tried to negotiate in good faith on the issue of beach access, only to be ignored. How can the bureaucrat rule makers establish rules totally ignoring the needs and desires of the people of Hatteras Island? When will our government establish rules that are right for citizens most affected versus rules that appease special interest groups?

(for the full flavor of this discussion go to - http://islandfreepress.org/PivotBlog/pivot/entry.php?id=145 )

My understanding is this, the area was set aside by Congress for this nation's beachgoers and recreational fishermen .

§ 459. Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area; conditional establishment; acquisition of lands

When title to all the lands, except those within the limits of established villages, within boundaries to be designated by the Secretary of the Interior within the area of approximately one hundred square miles on the islands of Chicamacomico, Ocracoke, Bodie, Roanoke, and Collington, and the waters and the lands beneath the waters adjacent thereto shall have been vested in the United States, said area shall be, and is, established, dedicated, and set apart as a national seashore recreational area for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and shall be known as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area: Provided, That the United States shall not purchase by appropriation of public moneys any lands within the aforesaid area, but such lands shall be secured by the United States only by public or private donation.

I am not a lawyer or even schooled in the subject of law, however I do feel my comprehension of the written word is fairly strong and I am not too far off the mark. The people of North Carolina donated lands to the federal government with the understanding that this land would be used as a recreation area. In my opinion, The federal government and the bureaucrats that administer the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area have forgotten (or is it completely ignored?) the purpose of the legislation establishing the CHNSRA and feel they can make rules without regard of the will of the people who gave over the land for the express purpose of establishing a seashore area specifically set aside for recreational use. Why is this allowed to happen? You do not have to be a recreational fisherman to have an interest in this debate. Fellow Americans, review the situation for yourself, form an opinion and write your congressman. Voice your views on the debate concerning your National Seashore Recreation Area. North Carolinians, this should be of special interest to you. No matter where in this great State you live, you should be upset and angered by the federal government's unfair treatment of your fellow North Carolinians living alongside the CHNSRA.

If you are a summer tourist visiting (first time or returning) the CHNSRA this year, show your support for the local citizens with your dollars. While visiting the Outer Banks, pick yourself up an inexpensive rod and reel combo and try your hand at surf fishing. You never know, you might enjoy this more than sun bathing, seashelling or sightseeing. You might even feel compelled to return to Hatteras Island in the fall as a recreational fisherman. Visit the local tackle shops, talk fishing with the employees, use their advice to catch a few fish. You might be lucky enough to catch your fish of a lifetime.

Fresh Bait and Tight Lines,

R. M. Callaway

Want to learn more, view this excellent video titled "Piping Mad" by the Greystone Project on the subject embroiling the Outer Banks. Note, this video was produced in 2010.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=593797982139

Some Local Tackle Shops On Hatteras Island

Red Drum Tackle
http://www.reddrumtackle.com/

Dillon's Corner
http://www.dillonscorner.com/

Frank and Fran's
http://www.hatteras-island.com/

Teach's Lair
http://www.teachslair.com/

Frisco Rod and Gun
http://www.friscorodgun.com/

Fisherman's Prayer

2011-05-24T14:13:00.003-04:00

"Lord, suffer me to catch a fish so large that even I in talking of it afterward shall have no need to lie." - quote appeared on a sign in Herbert Hoover's fishing lodge. - Baden-Powell the founder of the Boy Scout organization also kept a copy of this prayer on his desk at his English home, Pax Hill.

I posted the above quote on my facebook page just prior to heading out on a family vacation to Emerald Isle, NC. Careful what you pray for ...

I heard the big bluefish were in the surf from Hatteras to Topsail, so I thought it was fortuitous that earlier in the year we booked a mid-May week long vacation in Dream Weaver, a oceanfront cottage at Emerald Isle. We have stayed there before and the surf there appears well suited for fish. There's a slough running up and down the beach there, the waves break a little offshore and the water moves forward with another break right at the shore. Just to the front and to the left of the cottage is a cut in the sandbar allowing movement of water and fish with the tides and currents. My in-laws were coming along and my father-in-law, Dale brought his two surf rods. It should be noted, it appeared his reels still had the same line on them from last fall when we spooled them up with 20lb Triple Fish. He doesn't surf-fish much and I thought it would be great to do a little fishing and share some pointers with him. I had visions of us fighting whopper bluefish in the surf.

I inspected my surf rods, tuned up my reels, putting fresh 20lb Triple Fish line on my favorites reels - the Mitchell Nautil 7500's, my old favorite Mitchell Orca 90 and on my Diawa Emblem XT as well. On my Abu Gracia Ambassador I spooled it up with 12lb Berkley Trilene. I even spooled up my Alvey reel with 500 yards of 17lb Cajun Red Lightnin'. On each reel, I also put 18 feet of fluorocarbon shock leader rated at least double the strength of my main fishing line. I made sure I had several two hook fireball rigs at the ready and I also made a dozen fishing finding rigs. As added insurance, I made sure my Hopkins Lures had new treble hooks and I purchased a couple of replacement Gotcha Plugs and a new Peanut Bunker Spoon. Suffice to say, I was not only ready for fishing, I was ready for some catching!

When will I learn that hubris is not a good quality? The first day of fishing was rough, the surf was churning, a strong riptide was pulling our baits to the left and back towards shore. Rough, churning water can mean good fishing. Bait-fish can get disoriented in these conditions and predatory fish capitalize on their confusion. Unfortunate for us, there seemed to be no bait in the water, so we set out some rigs baited with frozen finger mullet of questionable age and also one with freshly dug up sand fleas. Not much happened at first, however after a while, my baits started to produce. Smooth Dogfish Sharks, and to add insult to injury, smoothies with a size best suited for a child's bath tub toy.

The next day the surf conditions were about the same, perhaps slightly less rough. I started the morning at sunrise, sure the blues would be on the hunt, providing me with plenty to boast about at breakfast. Sunrise came and went. Nothing pulled on my lines. My father-in-law came out and set two sand spikes in the ground and cast his lines into the water. In short order, he catches an 8 pound Bluefish. I'm happy for him, of course, however I am just a little bit jealous that I didn't catch the first big fish. My wife and kids are are thrilled! "Paw caught a big fish!" the girls squeal. Everyone has to pose for pictures with the landed blue. Dale was most excited, he comments that this was the largest fish he ever caught. I'm not too worried, I have three rods with rigs in the water and surely a big blue will take my bait. In fact one of my rods begins to twitch. I begin reeling in the line. The pull on the line tells me there is definitely not a bluefish on the terminal end. Pulling the rig from the water reveals yet another smooth dogfish. I curse a little, calling the shark an unseemly name. Upon a moment's reflection, I decide this is not a problem, there are more fish in the sea. Dale's line pulls again. He ups the ante with an even bigger bluefish. This time the fish shakes the hook. Just like that the bite is over. Nothing more takes our bait for hours. Later in the day our efforts are rewarded with more smooth dogfish.

Dale and his Bluefish. That's me and Olivia beside him. That's my old Mitchell Orca 90 attached to the rod in my hand.

Next morning, I'm back out at sunrise. This morning I feel something "soft mouthing" my bait. My guess is that there must be a flounder out there chewing on the bait. I patiently wait for the fish to try and swim off with my circle hook in its mouth. He does, however something doesn't feel right. There's not much fight in the fish. I silently curse thinking another smooth dogfish is on the line. When the fish reveals itself in the surf, my cursing changes over to laughter. I did hook a flounder, only this flounder ranks as one of the smallest I've ever reeled in, stretched as straight as I can get it, it measures 8 inches. I unhook it and with one more chuckle I toss it back. Determined to take advantage of the sunrise bite bluefish are famous for, I whip out a Hopkins Lure, tie it to my Ambassador and up and down the beach I go, walking and casting. Still no success. With sunrise over, Dale comes out and cast his bait into the water. I return to our fishing spot and set up about twenty or thirty yards from him. Shortly after I set up, Dale's rod begins to bend. He lands a 10 pound bluefish. Determined now, more than ever to land one of these whopper bluefish, I fish as hard as I can, trying every trick I know. Cut mullet, pieces of bluefish, shrimp, sand fleas and artificial lures; I try them all. Nothing.

I could go on and on about the week's fishing; I just do not want to sound like a broken record. My fishing that week was not destined to yield much of anything. I couldn't fish every hour of every day; however I managed to greet every sunrise with my rod in hand and I was fishing at sunset on many days. By the end of the week, Dale had managed yet another 8 pound bluefish. I never got a whopper, yet I was not entirely skunked. I put a pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera) and two croakers in the cooler. I also caught two bluefish, however neither tipped the scale at over 1 pound. I lost count of all the smooth dogfish I caught and even though most were just pups, I did manage to catch (and return) one after sunset that was almost three feet in length.

Image of a Smooth Dogfish (source: Florida Museum of Natural History - flmnh.ufl.edu)

Please do not think that the green eyed monster of envy rears its ugly head in my thoughts. I am glad I was there when Dale caught the big blues, it is always great to witness someones "biggest fish ever." I was there when my father caught his biggest fish ever, I feel equally blessed to be there the day my father-in-law caught his. I admit my pride got hurt a little, however that's not a big deal. I remind myself, it's the fishing that's important, not the fish.

BLUE FISH BLITZ: TO BAIT OR TO LURE?

2011-05-06T12:48:00.009-04:00

Reports from Hatteras Island have been coming in the last few days of 10 to 15 pound bluefish being taken from the surf. If your looking for a serious pull on your rod, then pack your SUV and surf fishing tackle and motor down to the Outer Banks. Voracious, tough and toothy predators. One to five pound Blues frequent the NC surf, providing surf casters action from March through December. When bait is frequent and conditions right the schools of larger Blues follow the bait close to shore. The world record was caught at Hatteras by Jim Hussey in 1972. This Blue weighed in at 31 pounds 12 ounces. Regardless of size, when hooked expect the Bluefish to put up a good fight. They hit hard, make long runs and jump to shake free of the hook. Their survival instinct is strong. When you muscle a hooked Blue close to shore, expect the fish to renew its struggle, one more desperate push for survival can be expected. Pound for pound this proves to be one tough fish.

Bluefish generally travel in schools of like sized fish. Should you find yourself catching four to five pound Blues, don't expect a 15 pounder to be lurking in the school. Bluefish are indiscriminate hunter killers. The small Tailor Blues find themselves on the menu for the larger Chopper Blues. As a point of survival, smaller Blues avoid larger Blues. Like some species of shark, Blues attacking a pod of bait fish can get worked up to a frenzy. Dashing wildly about, teeth slashing, the Blues descend upon their prey ripping fin and flesh. In their wake, the prey are left torn in half eaten pieces. To witness a Blues Blitz is to see an awesome sight. Once while fishing Hatteras Inlet, I waded out about twenty yards to waist deep water in order to cast my bait a little further out to a fishy looking rip just out of reach. Suddenly, all about me there was a flurry of Blues and bait tearing up the water. After a half moment of shocked disbelief, I high tailed it back to shore in fear of getting my waders (or something else) punctured by an over zealous Bluefish. My father laughed as he tossed a rig in the area I vacated and pulled out a respectable five pound Blue.

In most cases, light casting or spinning tackle is sufficient for catching the average bluefish in the surf. Wire or heavy mono leaders are a necessity, otherwise you will have to deal with cutoffs by the Blues' toothy mouths. They are not picky eaters, so virtually any bait will work. Live or fresh cut fish, squid, or shrimp work just fine. When fishing bait for Blues, I like to use a two hook fireball rig. This is your basic two hook rig, made up of a leader of heavy fluorocarbon with a swivel at the top to attach to your shock leader and a duolock attached at the terminal end for attaching a pyramid sinker. Along the length of the rig are two dropper loops. Each loop has a brightly colored Styrofoam ball and a hook.

Many artificial lures are successfully used on Bluefish, I like Hopkins Lures and Gotcha Plugs. Cast out and wait a couple of moments to let the lure sink, whip your rod toward you and retrieve your lure quickly. Keep fishing your lure all the way to shore, the Bluefish could well be in the suds when he takes the lure.

Bluefish are perfectly fine to eat. The key to good tasting Bluefish is to clean and prepare the Blue quickly. During the bite, take a moment to get your catch on ice and after the bite go ahead and gut and bleed the fish. Do not let the Blues sit in your cooler all day. They are best if caught, cleaned and eaten all on the same day. When you fillet the Blue, trim away the dark meat, this will help in keeping the meat from getting too fishy in taste. Cooking can be simple - just pan fry or broil until the flesh is white and easily flakes with a fork. If you are making hushpuppies and have some buttermilk to spare; let your fillets bathe in a shallow bowl of buttermilk for about thirty minutes. Pull them out of the buttermilk bath and pat dry. Dredge your fillets in flour, give a quick dip in an egg bath, next dredge through cornmeal, salt and pepper to taste and pan fry in butter. Broiling is even simpler. After bathing your fillets in buttermilk and patting dry, salt and pepper and brush with a coat of melted butter. Set your fillets on a well greased pan, place in a pre-heated oven about four inches from the heating element. Should take about four to six minutes per 1/2 inch thickness. Should your fillet be over 1/2 inch in thickness, turn once halfway through broiling.

Good Luck and Tight Lines,

R. M. Callaway

Early morning catch - Emerald Isle Fall 2010

My Girls and Father -in- Law checking out that evening's dinner

The Weight Is The Bait

2011-04-22T20:37:00.003-04:00

The bucktail jig, a simple and effective lure found in many surf-caster's tackle box. Evolved from the basic jig of lead molded to a O'shaughnessy hook, bucktail jigs simply have the addition of a skirt (made of fur from a buck's tail) tied to the rear of the mold to simulate a bait fish's body. The shape of the mold varies from round, torpedo, bullet, flathead to even detailed fish head shapes. Colors are as varied as the head shapes, however the most commonly used are white or yellow. When shopping for bucktail jigs, despite the numerous choices, you should primarily concern yourself with what's appropriate for your tackle. I find that in the surf, when I choose to use a bucktail jig, I like to work it with lighter tackle (at least by surf fishing standards). I like my jigs to be in the 1 to 2 ounce range. I usually stick with a white bullet shaped jighead with the skirt tied on with red thread, unless through conversations with other fishermen and bait shop owners that indicate a lot of local success with different colors.

Fishing bucktail jigs in the surf can be effective for a wide range of fish. You can add a little extra enticement to the jig by adding a scented plastic tail or other bait on the hook. I like to add a strip of mullet to the hook (this works great for flounder). I've also used pork rinds attached to the hook with some success. While fishing a bucktail jig, vary your retrieve technique, try slow retrieve and fast retrieves. I like to use a whip retrieve, reel in a couple of feet of line, whip the rod and let the jig slowly sink back to the bottom. This retrieve will give the appearance of a wounded or struggling bait fish. One technique that can lead to a lot of success in the surf, is to use a bucktail jig and Clouser minnow combination. This can be easily be put together on the spot. Take a three way swivel, tie one end to your shock leader, next take a two to three foot piece of 40lb test fluorocarbon, attach your Clouser minnow to one end and tie to your swivel. The last step is to take another piece of 40 lb test fluorocarbon, this time use a piece up to 1 foot long, tie your jighead to one end of the fluorocarbon and the other end to the remaining open swivel.

If you do not have a three way swivel, but have a barrel swivel instead, you can still put together a teaser rig. Slide your jighead on to the shockleader, then tie the barrel to the end of your shockleader. This will allow your jighead to slide freely up and down the shockleader. Next tie a 2 to 3 foot piece of 40lb test fluorocarbon to the end of the barrel swivel, lastly tie your Clouser minnow to the end of the flourocarbon.

Good Fishing and Tight Lines,

R. M. Callaway

Response from Senator Kay Hagan

2011-04-07T16:17:00.021-04:00

Early this past February (the 9th to be exact), I posted a letter I wrote to Senator Hagan, Senator Burr and Representative Jones on my blog in regards to off road access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. - Today I got a response from Senator Hagan. I want to share this with my readers.

April 7, 2011

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns with public beach access on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was authorized as the nation's first national seashore in 1937, and has been managed by the National Park Service (NPS) for more than 50 years. The Seashore is a key part of North Carolina's coastal economy and a favorite destination for beachgoers from throughout the country. The beaches of Hatteras Island are among the nation's best because they offer an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a natural landscape largely untouched by human development. To do so, however, many park visitors utilize Off Road Vehicles (ORVs) to access the remote recreational areas of the island.

Throughout recent years, the NPS has worked to develop a final ORV management plan to ensure visitor safety and environmental protection. In April 2008, a U.S. District Court Judge instituted a temporary plan expanding ORV regulations while the NPS prepared a final plan. Most recently, the NPS concluded an environmental review of proposed alternatives, and has selected a preferred approach to comply with resource protection requirements.

Like you, I am concerned that this preferred approach does not reflect input from the local community. With this in mind, I have worked closely with a bipartisan group of colleagues to maximize responsible public access on Hatteras beaches. Specifically, we have requested that the Department of the Interiorand the Office of Management and Budget consider all available options to allow access to recreational areas that are open to ORV usage. We have also encouraged the Secretary of Interior to meet with representatives of the local community to discuss the impacts of the proposed restrictions.

The Hatteras community has now experienced multiple summers with severely restricted beach access, and many local businesses may not survive another. I am committed to working with the NPS and local leaders to achieve an ORV plan that balances important environmental concerns with the economic viability of the Hatteras Island community.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kay R. Hagan

I for one appreciate what Senator Hagan is doing in regards to this issue of access on our Cape Hatteras National Seashore. These past few years of excessively oppressive rules limiting off road access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has severely harmed the economies of the villages surrounded by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore boundaries. These villages are not a group of Myrtle Beach style resorts for which people visit to soak up the sun, dance in nightclubs and play round after round of golf. Large chain hotels or restaurants are not found on Hatteras Island. The tourism dollars that sustains the local economy comes from visitors such as surf fishermen, bird watchers, surfers and other adventurous souls seeking to enjoy the recreational pursuits these remote, isolated beaches offer.

Surf fishermen in particular, hold this seashore as a valued recreational resource. Here cold and warm water currents collide, resulting in an abundant and wide variety of fish sought for both their sporting and culinary value. Fishing conditions here are especially conducive to catching big red drum, famed for its strength and stamina as it battles the surf fisherman when hooked. The the all tackle world record red drum was caught near the village of Avon. Knowing the record red drum was caught here inspires many anglers to make the trek to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in hopes of hooking one of these bruisers.

On March 18th of this year, off road vehicle access to "The Point" was cut off due to observed piping plover breeding behavior. This is the earliest ORV access has been denied since the 2008 consent decree signed by Federal District Court Judge Terrence Boyle. (The consent decree settled a lawsuit filed by Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society in 2007. The lawsuit alleged inadequacies in the Park Service's management of protected species within CHNS and failure of the park to comply with NPS regulations and a 1972 executive order regarding off road vehicle use within park boundaries.) This supremely prime fishing location alone draws thousands of fishermen to the area. Without access, these fishermen and the dollars they spend on lodging, restaurants, groceries, tackle and other sundries will go elsewhere. Without these dollars, how will the villagers of Hatteras Island make a living? This is not only a local matter concerning economic survival of a few, this a national matter concerning access to resources belonging to each and every taxpaying American. As evidenced by the above letter from Senator Hagan, our elected officials are not deaf to our concerns over access to this and other national recreational resources. I ask that readers of this blog, take the time to contact their representatives in Washington, DC and ask that they also seek better accessibility to our Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

I want to share a recipe for a favorite Hatteras Island dish.

Hatteras Island Clam Chowder

4 cups of freshly shucked clams and associated broth from cooking the clams (ok to substitute 2 (16 ounce) cans of minced clams and juice from the cans)

1 quart of water

4 cups diced potatoes

8 spring onions, diced

5 stalks of celery, chopped.

8 pieces of bacon, fried and grease rendered

1 teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning (or to taste)

In a large iron skillet, fry bacon to a crisp. Remove bacon from skillet, drain bacon grease, save for one tablespoon. In same frying pan, cook onions and celery until they begin to soften. Crumple bacon and stir into the softened vegitables. Transfer all to a large soup pot, add clams, juice, water, potatoes and Old Bay Seasoning. Heat soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Shad and Roe

2011-03-23T09:46:00.006-04:00

With spring now with us, recreational fishermen flock to North Carolina coastal rivers for the annual shad run. American Shad, Hickory Shad and other herring making their way hundreds of miles up the Atlantic seaboard's coastal rivers are highly prized for both their flesh and the sacks of roe carried by the females. Shad are anadromous (salt water fish that spawn in fresh water), the young are hatched and reared in freshwater rivers during the summer and juveniles they make their way downstream to the ocean in the autumn. The American Shad prefers to spawn in the larger, more open waters of a river system, so they are not generally found in the smaller tributaries. Hickory Shad prefer the smaller systems, though they can be found mixed in with American Shad runs. The spawn runs vary from year to year. Sometimes starting as early as mid-February, other times as late as March. They begin as the waters warm over 54 degrees Fahrenheit, the peak spawn occurs at about 64 degrees and concludes as waters warm to over 68 degrees. The males or “bucks” make their way upstream first, followed shortly by the females or “roe” shad.

American Shad can be difficult to distinguish from Hickory Shad. The American Shad generally attain a larger size with most weighing in at 1 to 4 pounds. The Hickory Shad is smaller in size, coming in at about 1 pound. Both fish can be caught using light spinning or bait-casting tackle. Fly Fishermen like to target American Shad as well. Their fighting and acrobatic ability has earned them the nickname of “freshwater tarpon”. Both are considered quite tasty, though a bit boney. The roe (egg sacks) are highly prized and considered very much a delicacy.

When cooking shad, just keep simple. Don't bother trying to filet. Scale, remove heads and guts, save the roe sacks if it is a female. Clean with water, dry with paper towels. Roll your shad body in flour, give it an egg wash, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then roll in cornmeal. Set prepared fish on a plate and place in the refrigerator for one hour. Deep fry in hot oil, remove from oil when it is a yellow-brown. Set on paper towels to soak up excess fat.

The roe can be cooked several ways. - The simplest being scrambled eggs and roe to dishes geared to the more sophisticated palette. To prepare with scrambled eggs, just scramble a number of eggs in a large frying pan, puncture your roe sack and empty contents in the scrambled egg. To jazz it up even more, add other items to your omelet. A Western and roe omelet would work or a cheese omelet with roe could be another option. The main piece of advice for this dish with roe is to cook slowly. Roe cooked too quickly can take on a gritty texture.

Roe cooked as a main dish as opposed to an addition can be done simply as well. Fry your roe sacks in butter or bacon fat. Start with your heat on medium-high. Cook roe sack for one minute, then turn heat down to medium and continue cooking for two to three minutes until golden-brown. Turn and cook the other side for another two to three minutes. Do not over cook. You do not want to dry these creamy morsels out. When cooked properly, the roe sacks should be slightly springy to the touch. Garnish with lemon and serve on a bed of crispy fried bacon.

On April 23^rd of this year, the Cape Fear River Shad Festival will be held at the Lock and Dam #1 in Rieglewood, North Carolina. The festival is slated to begin at 9:00 A.M. Fishing contests and historical demonstrations and activities are planned. Fried Shad and Steamed Roe will be available. More information is available at 910-685-6735 or 910-655-2801.

Fatback On A Fish Finder Rig

2011-03-10T14:59:00.030-05:00

Atlantic Menhaden, also known as: Mossbunker, Peanut Bunker, Bunker, Pogy, or Fatback. Whatever you may call it (we'll call it Bunker, as it is most commonly referred to in the bait and tackle shops on the Outer Banks) - this is a prime choice when tossing bait out into the surf in hopes of catching trophy fish or a yummy dinner from the Outer Banks surf. Red Drum, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Flounder, Sharks, Spanish Mackerel (to name a few) all prey on this common, yet important forage fish. Traveling in large schools, bunker swim the bays, estuaries, inlets, surf and other near shore coastal waters off the Atlantic Coast. In the late summer and early autumn, the juveniles (Peanut Bunker) are leaving their estuary home for the ocean. Game fish feast on these young fish as they migrate along the shore. You can get fresh Bunker during most of the year at the tackle shops on the Outer Banks, as there is a sizable population of these fish in and around the Outer Banks. I usually pick up a few pounds of Bunker, cut the bait into steaks and attach a chunk to a fish finding rig. If I do not immediately cut the bait, I at least gut the fish in order to keep it fresher, longer. It is important to keep your bait fresh. Never let it soak in the melt water of your cooler. Doing so, will strip away the smelly fish oils in the meat and make it less appealing to your quarry. I place my bait in a water tight bag. Then I place this and a frozen bottle of water in a small cooler kept inside a larger cooler full of ice. Along the same line of thought, always replace the bait on your hook every fifteen minutes. Fresh bait is the best bait. If you prefer artificial lures over bait, there are tin squids out there that are designed look specifically like the Peanut Bunker. When the schools of juveniles are close to shore and being busted up by the game fish consult with a local tackle shop for lure recommendations - I make it a point to talk with the crew at Red Drum Tackle Shop in Buxton, NC when I travel to the Outer Banks.

The Fish Finder Rig is perhaps one of the best forms of terminal tackle when fishing with a piece of Bunker steak as bait. It is nothing more than a single circle hook snelled to a length of leader material. Thread a pyramid sinker attached to a sinker slide to your shock leader. Attach your hook leader to your shock leader via a swivel. This arrangement will allow the fish to take your baited hook and swim away with it without feeling the weight of the sinker. I like to take a dozen or so 12 inch pieces of 80 lb fluorocarbon and snell them to hooks the night before a fishing trip. This allows me to have spare hook and hook leaders at the ready for a quick change out when needed.

Referring to Bunker as Fatback always makes me think of Scallops wrapped in bacon. Mmmm...

Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Wash 1 pound of Scallops and pat dry with paper towels.

Wrap one or two Scallops in 1/2 piece of bacon - secure with toothpicks.

Heat oil to 350 degrees.

Roll Scallop/Bacon wrap in flour. (1/4 cup flour spread on a saucer)

Quick dip in egg wash. (1 large egg and a splash of buttermilk, beaten and placed in a shallow bowl - use this as the egg wash.)

Next dip in day old corn bread crumbs. (3/4 cup of day old corn bread crumbs.)

Cook in batches until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels.

Best served hot.

You can substitute 1 pound of shelled, deveined Shrimp for the Scallops if you prefer.

Letter to Senator Hagan, Senator Burr and Representative Jones.

2011-02-09T15:35:00.007-05:00

Dear Senator Kay Hagan, Senator Richard Burr and Representative Jones,

Thank you Senator Kay Hagan, Senator Richard Burr and Representative Walter B. Jones. Thank you for speaking up for the people of North Carolina and specifically for the people living (and earning a living) in Dare and Hyde counties. It is refreshing to know our representation in Washington D.C. feels concern for the needs of the North Carolinian citizenry. Your letter to Secretary Salazar of the Department of the Interior and Director Lew of the Office of Management and Budget is right on target. I hope your example influences other elected officials to write similarly worded letters to these two officials.

for my readers, see link for copy of the letter

http://hagan.senate.gov/files/110201_Hatteras_OMB.DOI.Letter.pdf

I do not live on the Outer Banks, however I do live in North Carolina and for well over a quarter century I have enjoyed surf fishing along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Many places I have fished are not easily accessible without the use of an off road vehicle, especially if I am in the company of a senior citizen. These sites are remote and separated from beach access points by miles and miles of sand. The memories I have pursuing Red Drum and Striped Bass on those shores are priceless; well worth the dollars spent on motel rooms, restaurants, groceries, fishing tackle and other miscellaneous sundries. I thoroughly enjoy recreational fishing and spend a fair amount of my disposable income on the sport. I hate to think of a future when access to prime fishing locations at Cape Hatteras (or, for that matter, other National Forest, Seashore and Park lands) are limited or permanently denied by bureaucratic dictates without due regards to the people most affected by such dictates.

Thank you again for expressing your concerns and the concerns of your constituents. Job well done.

Best Regards,

Robert M. Callaway

Surf Fisherman

SHRIMP - Tried And True For Putting Meat In Your Cooler

2008-08-31T11:13:00.042-04:00

Let's take a few moments to talk about the use of shrimp as bait while surf fishing. As a start, for novices and people basically looking to fill up their coolers with Spot, Croaker, Whiting or Pompano it is hard to beat shrimp as a bait. I am not saying you will not catch large fish with shrimp; I am saying that by using shrimp, you are not targeting larger fish. I have caught puppy drum in the surf using shrimp. I hooked him in the suds while fishing for spot. The key to shrimp as bait is to use fresh, never frozen shrimp. Spoiled or dried out shrimp will not result in much, if any success. If you can find them and have a way to store them - use live shrimp!

Shrimp Rigs And Tactics

A two hook bottom rig with small hooks is the best way to fish with shrimp as bait. The best hooks to use range from number 4 to a number 1. Keep your weight light as possible - do use a pyramid sinker. Don't waste your time with your Hatteras Heaver, use a light rod instead. Fish close to shore. Keep tension on the line -this is the key- when you feel a bite, don't jerk the line - let fish will hook itself.

Know Your Target Species

Croaker

One of the most common fish found in the Carolina surf. Overall this fish has a silver color with a gold tint in the background. Sometimes they have wavy vertical lines running along the upper sides. There are small barbels on the lower jaw. They typically weigh in at a pound or two and the meat is quite good.
Keep your bait size small. Do not jerk the rod when you hook one, the mouths are tender and you could pull the hook right out.

Pompano

A tough (as in a fighter - not the meat) little fish - lots of fun to catch on light tackle. Overall color is silver with a yellow underside. Typical pompano weigh in at one or two pounds, though they can grow up to be larger. One of the tastiest fish you can catch in the surf.

Spot

As far as food quality goes - my personal favorite. Looks like a croaker to some degree. Less silvery in color - more brassy - and the tail is more forked. Spot have wavy vertical lines along the upper side of the body and their bottom is white. Look for the distinctive spot behind the gill cover. Typical spot weigh in at a pound or pound and half. When cooking up a classic fish fry, Spot are an excellent choice. Just bread and pan fry. Then serve with a slice of lemon.

Whiting

Whiting (sometimes called Kingfish) is another abundant surf fish that will take shrimp. Many times you can see these fish swimming along in the surf. More slender of build than a croaker - these fish do have similar barbels on the lower jaw. Overall they are silver in color - with a yellowish tinge along the top. Two pounds seems to be the upper weight limit.

SHRIMP RECIPES (YUM YUM)

Frogmoore Stew

3-4 quarts of freshwater
3 -4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
6 ears of corn - shucked, cleaned and broken in half
1 - 2 lbs of smoked sausage
2 lbs of shrimp ( any size - peeled and deveined)

Add seasoning, sausage and corn to water and bring to a boil in a large stockpot. Let boil for eight minutes. Pour in shrimp, stir and return to boil. Remove from heat and drain when shrimp are done (usually around five minutes) You will know shrimp are done by the pink color. Serve immediately.

Shrimp Salad

1 pound chilled, cooked, cleaned shrimp (remove tails)
1/2 cup ranch dressing (more if you like)
1/2 teaspoon white horseradish sauce
1 Apple - cored, diced to 1/4 inch pieces
8 oz baby carrots - diced to 1/4 inch pieces
1/4 cup, chopped walnuts or pecans
Old Bay Seasoning to taste

Dice shrimp into small pieces. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Store in fridge until ready to serve. Ok to omit horseradish if you can't stand the heat.

Cobia versus the Least Tern - OBX Beach Access Closed

2008-05-10T08:13:00.012-04:00

Versus

Well - it has happened. Access to the Point has been lost. One bird lays an egg and the National Park Service ropes off the access to Cape Point. In this case, it was a Least Tern egg discovered by the park service that resulted in the closure at access ramp 45 and closes beaches to ORV's and pedestrians about 1.7 miles from the access point at ramp 49. To add insult to injury - the closure does not directly close the Point - it just cuts off access. Technically - Cape Point itself does not lay within the closed area; however - to reach Cape Point via off road vehicle or on foot can not be done due to closures.

It is almost time for the Cobia to come through and I was feeling a strong urge to spend some time chasing them. Thanks to the closures, fishing for Cobia from the surf is all but impossible.

Ok - I am going to vent - - what choice do I have - the best places to fish for Cobia along the outer banks are blocked thanks to government over-reaction to prior inaction. If you are unaware of the situation concerning off road vehicle access to the beaches of the Hatteras National Seashore, here it is in a nutshell.

In 1972, Richard Nixon signs an Executive Order requiring an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) management plan for National Parks (this includes Cape Hatteras National Seashore).

Twice since this order, the NPS created an OVR plan - they just never listed in the federal register. By not doing this, the NPS was out of compliance.

It was determined by the Department of the Interior, that the best way to come up with the required plan was through a Negotiated Rule-making process. This involved participants from the local community, the NPS and National Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and Southern Environmental Law Center.

In August of 2007, a Federal District Judge ruled against a person cited for reckless driving within the park. The judge made note that ORV's were illegal to drive in Cape Hatteras National Seashore since there was not an ORV plan in place.

Southern Environmental Law Center, representing Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society recently filed for a preliminary injunction in U. S. District Court requesting that beach driving be banned at the most popular recreational areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. April 11, 2008 - the parties involved in the lawsuit (the NPS and the SELC - not the citizens of the USA, NC or even the counties in which the National Seashore resides.) agree in principle to a settlement in the case. On April 29th a consent decree is filed with the judge presiding and on April 30th the judge approves the consent decree. This established the parameters for closures based on bird and turtle nesting. One of the immediate effects is the closure of the beaches from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Thanks to this, the "sunrise" bite has been blocked.

On May the 8th, the park service, under the conditions of the consent decree, closed access to the beaches due to observed nesting behaviors by some Least Terns.

I consider myself very fortunate to have surf-fished along the Outer-banks of NC and especially "the Point" for over twenty years. I have been blessed to see the sun rise over the ocean while standing waist deep in the surf with a fishing rod in my hand. I think of all the good times I had with my friends, brothers and late father catching fish at this "Mecca" of surf-fishing. As it now stands, once mostly open access has now been restricted. The best places to fish will be closed more often then they will be open. The hours of access will be restricted as well. I will continue to surf-fish along the outer banks, limited as it now is, I will make the best of a bad situation.

What can we do? - Write, email, or fax your newspaper, Congressmen, Senators, the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and anyone else who will listen. Express to them your displeasure with the current circumstances concerning your access to our National Seashore. Be civil, there is no need for harsh or threatening words. Obey the law - just work to change laws that are against what it means to be American.

Tight Lines.

RM CALLAWAY

Fishing for Stripers in the NC Surf - My Observations

2008-03-22T12:30:00.008-04:00

Striped Bass or "Rockfish" can be caught in the North Carolina Surf. Generally, these are caught along the Outer Banks in the winter or early spring. The winter-time stripers are best caught from the surf using the infamous "Hatteras Heaver" style rod. These 12 foot rods are needed to cast a lure or piece of cut bait 200 to 300 feet out to sea.
When fishing with a lure, I find that a large Hopkins, a tin squid with a bucktail, or a 1-1/2 to 2 oz leadhead bucktail lure with a plastic tail work for me. Be sure your lure has some weight to it, you'll need this weight to "load" your rod up for a long cast. Fishing for striper using cut bait is much the same as fishing for a big red drum. I like to use a fish finding rig. This is a large circle hook attached to the end of my leader material with a pyramid sinker attached to the leader so that it can slide up and down the the leader freely. This allows for the fish to take the bait without feeling the weight.
The winter time stripers are usualy the big females returning to the Outer Banks after spending the summer up north. They are making a return trip to their spawning waters in the Albermarle sound. To find these fish when working the surf, look for the birds diving and feeding close to shore. Odds are the baitfish there are being pressured by stripers or bluefish. Either way if you can get your lure or bait out there, you increase your odds at hooking up on a fish. The winter time striper along the Outer Banks can be a very big fish, so be prepared to have a real work out when attempting to land the fish. It is not uncommon to hook up with a 30+ pound striper when you catch one that time of year.
The springtime stripers are generally wayward schoolies and only range in the 5 to 20 lbs range. I have had most of my hook-ups on the these while fishing near or in an inlet. Be sure to return these to the water so they can live to fight another angler another day.

OFF ROAD ACCESS TO CAPE POINT IN JEOPARDY

2008-03-16T14:06:00.005-04:00

A very scary thing is occurring along the outer banks of North Carolina. Take a look at the following press release from the Southern Environmental Law Center:

http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/2007/10-18_hatteras_complaint.htm

On April 3rd 2008 there will be an Injunction Hearing in Raleigh NC (in the Federal Building)to determine the fate of Off Road Vehicle use along the NC outer banks. If the SELC has their way , surf fishermen and other users of these public beaches will loose access.

To the readers of this post, I urge to contact your congressional reps and voice concern on this matter. The businesses along the outer banks depend on the money brought in by the fishermen that visit this area in the Autumn to catch (and release) the big Red Drum that inhabit the surf. The only realistic way for seniors or disabled fishermen to reach the areas that hold these fish is through the use of off road vehicles.

The SELC and others are seeking to end off road vehicle use here in order to protect migratory birds. What about the "migratory fishermen" that bring so much to the economy of the Outer Banks? Our sport needs protection too.

Tight Lines My Friends, Tight Lines!

RM CALLAWAY