Afternoon at the Pier

Neighbor Tommy and I spent the afternoon on Surf City Pier today. There were some big sea mullets being caught, along with puffers, skates, and even a couple of small spots. The mullets were really big for this time of year. Most of the toads were large and made Big Tim really happy. Tim loves toads and was one of the guys I would give puffers to before I had a sample of this fine tasting fish. I didn't keep the ones I caught today, but I just wasn't up to cleaning them. This week at the pier, there was a 2lb 13 oz speckled trout caught on a bottom rig and cut shrimp by Mr. Nick. Sea mullets have been biting all week long. At Sea View Pier, there is more of the same. Big sea mullets, big puffers, and big black drum are coming up most every day. Last night a few small red drum were caught. Fishing is getting good. Don't forget about the official opening of Surf City Pier Friday March 30 at 6 am. First mullet wins a free 2007 season pass. The way they have been biting recently, I don't think it will be very long after 6 when the first mullet is caught. See you there.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Weekend Blues at Wrightsville

I'm still down with the migraine, but I did hear a report from Wrightsville Beach today. Blues were biting gotchas from Johnny Mercers pier Saturday and this morning. Won't be long until we see them at Surf City Pier. Get those new hooks on the gotchas! Times a wastin'!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Puffers, Toads, Blowfish

Some call them puffers, some call them toads. Still others call them blowfish. Whatever you prefer to call this ugly little fish........ they taste wonderful! I had never eaten puffers, never really had the urge to. I had heard all my life they were poisonous. Whether that was true or not, they surely were not appealing to the eye, so I never thought about eating one. But when I moved to the coast of North Carolina from the piedmont area several years ago, I started hearing about folks eating this ugly trash fish that made me so upset me every time one bit my hook. They are hard to get off the hook, those sharp protruding teeth sometimes bending my hooks or breaking them in half. But after a couple of years hearing things like, "Best fish you ever ate!", "Nothing better!", "Chicken of the sea!", I finally decided I would have to give this nasty looking fish a try. So when I caught two really nice ones today, (one over a pound, the other close to a pound), I had my chance. I held the fish in the palm of my hand facing me, and inserted my fillet knife sharp side up, into the skin just behind the fishes eyes. I gently made a slit along the back bone, (which isn't really bone, but cartilage), all the way to the tail. Then I inserted my fingers under the loose skin and pulled it apart exposing some of the prettiest white fish meat I have ever seen. I carefully sliced down each side of the back cartilage, since I have been told that if I puncture the innards of this critter I needed to throw the whole thing away. I worked my fingers between the little fillet and the skin and seperated the fillet from the skin and back cartilage. I then cut it at the head and tail, again being very careful not to cut anything nasty. I cleaned up the fillets, which weren't a bit bloody, and threw them into my cleaning basket. I breaded them with cornmeal and a little salt and pepper, and fried them up over medium heat in a little veggie oil. I ate them up along with some slaw and pork and beans, all the while wishing I had some good ol fried grits to go along with the meal. Anyway, it was really good, and I will never again make fun of the folks that run up and down the pier saying, "You gonna keep that?" every time a toad fish comes over the rail. Because now, I will be one of these folks. MMMMMMMM GOOD!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Contaminated Fish Extended in Wake County, NC

Here is a story posted on the WRAL-TV website. http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/1232917/

It seems this is not a new problem, and nothing much is being done to remedy this situation. All anglers, men and women, as well as boaters and anyone who uses water from the Neuse River should be concerned about situations like this. It may not be in your neighborhood right now, but it could be tomorrow! What can we do to help get this cleaned up and prevent these occurrences in the future?

Warning of Contaminated Fish Extended in Wake County
Fish In Lake Crabtree

Posted: Mar. 13, 2007

MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Toxic chemicals have been found in fish upstream of Lake Crabtree in Wake County, and signs have been posted to warn people of the contamination, health officials said.

The warning was extended from Lake Crabtree County Park upstream on Crabtree Creek to the Cedar Fork District Park in Morrisville.

The chemicals are industrial compounds calls PCBs that leaked from a contaminated site near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. PCBs have collected in largemouth bass, catfish and carp that swim up the creek from the lake, said toxicologist Luanne Williams with the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Williams said she is seeking funding to test six other sites where officials suspect elevated levels of PCBs. Previous tests have found some contaminated fish where Crabtree Creek enters the Neuse River, but there wasn't enough testing to warrant a health advisory.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.

Landing that Big Red Drum

Hi Folks, I have been seeing lots of pictures posted on the various east coast fishing websites. I am distressed at what I am seeing. Lot's of anglers, after battling a giant red, grab the fish by the gill plate with one hand, or sometimes a hand in each gill plate. Anglers......the gills are a fishes lungs! PLEASE, PLEASE, don't stick your fingers into the gill to pick up your fish. How would you feel if someone reached in and grabbed your lungs? These fish are already stressed by the battle that has just taken place. The extra trauma caused by someone sticking their fingers into the gills of the red drum could be deadly for the fish. Please, grab your catch in the mouth, or use both hands to lift the fish for that picture. Or better yet, get a grappler, you know what I am talking about. One of those items used to grab the fish while you hold the handle. The unidentified angler in the picture above, seems to know the correct way to hold a huge drum. Please treat these creatures with care after they provide you with the thrill of a ten to twenty minute battle between fish and angler. They deserve no less!
Thanks for listening.
Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Sea Mullets

I heard today, (although I didn't see them) that a few anglers have caught several nice sea mullets from Surf City Pier. Don't forget SC Pier opens March 30, and the first sea mullet caught wins a free 2007 season pass. Plan to be there. Jolly Rodger Pier, at Topsail Beach, is reporting sea mullets up to two pounds each. Also coming in are puffers, or toads, which some anglers hunt with a passion. They call the two fillets that run down each side of the puffers backbone "chicken of the sea." I have never tried them, but if I can catch a few, I will try them this year. I'll let you know. Also in the ocean now are sharks, and plenty of skates and stingrays. Some folks tell me that skate wings are delicious. "Taste like scallops." If I try skate wings, you will never hear about it! I couldn't take the hassle I would get from my fishing buds. Fishing on the inside has slowed a bit the last couple of days. But the flounder, reds, and occasional trout are still around if you can find them. (hint; deep holes for specks) Fishing is picking up. So get on down here and quench that angling thirst!

I have just became aware of an organization trying to save the fishing piers in the Carolinas. The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society is trying make folks aware that the fishing piers in the Carolinas are dissapearing. You can get information from their website, at www.ncfps.com. Or you can reach them at ncfps@ncfps.com Check it out and learn what we can do as individuals and members to save this vanishing resource. Thanks

Until next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Sea Mullets for Mr. Nick

My pier fishing bud, Mr. Nick, caught some nice sea mullets from the pier Thursday morning. Nick said they bit "big ol' fresh ocean shrimp." Some were "pretty good size". I went out Thursday afternoon with neighbor Tommy. We didn't catch anything. Windy!
Off shore reports are good for grouper and snapper. Inshore, trout, flounder, and a few small red drum are being caught. The reds "are out there" according to a couple of sources, but they aren't hungry. Lots of "big schools" have been reported cruzin', but just not hungry. Some keeper flounder are coming out of the sounds near the mouths of creeks.

Don't forget about opening day at the Surf City Pier, March 30. First mullet wins a free season pass! See you out there!

Go by Herrings Outdoor Sports and see the new kayaks they have in stock. Rent one and do some fishing on the inside.

Remember the big sale going on at East Coast Sports. There is a coupon in the blog worth 20% off some items. Scroll down this page and check it out.

You had better get your Berkley Gulp Saltwater baits while supplies are good. I haven't forgotten how fast they disappeared from shelves last year.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Nice Speckled Trout Today

I met a very nice young man at Batt's Grill in Surf City today that was having fresh caught speckled trout for his supper. The 16 year old young man's name is Bentz Overstreet. Bentz and his party caught 15 keeper specks today in the backewaters near Jacksonville. The fish were all 2 lb to 3 1/2 lbs, and all ate pink plastic shrimp. Although Bentz was excited about catching the trout, he really wanted to catch a red drum. But the reds were scarce today, so Bentz will have to catch his first big red another day. Bentz is from Mississippi, where he says he catches 5 and 6 lb speckled trout "all the time". He has also caught some nice sea mullet this week fishing from Surf City Pier with friends. Bentz said he caught "some nice ones" on fresh cut shrimp, fishing just behind the breakers. Congratulations to Bentz and his fishin' buds for a nice day on the water. Bentz, it was nice talking with you today. I hope you will stay in touch and let us know what you are catching back in Mississippi. Send digital pictures and I can post them to the blog.

I have heard of several anglers who have been catching a few sea mullets as well as small keeper speckled trout in the surf and from the Surf City Pier. So, it's time for me to get some nice white ocean shrimp, and hit the pier. Bandages come off my healing finger tomorrow, so I can get my hand wet without having to worry about infection.

Ok, everyone, get out there and get to fishing! It's time! Let us know what you catch! Inquiring minds want to know!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

East Coast Sports Coupon..Good Deal!

Click on the coupon for a larger version.

Chris at East Coast Sports has just notified me that East Coast Sports has a big sale going on now! Check out the ad above, then print it out and take it by East Coast Sports to receive your discount. Don't wait, check out all the good stuff now!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

World Record Sea Trout

Here are a couple of pictures of a potential world record sea trout caught on a fly rod. The angler caught the 10 lb. fish on a home tied fly. I think the deed was done in Florida. What a HAWG!


Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Another Good Day for Caro17

Another email from fishin' bud Caro17. Here is his email.......

IF YOU DIDN,T GET OUT AND ENJOY TODAY . I AM SORRY FOR YOU . IT WAS PERFECT. EVEN THE WIND COOPERATED WITH JUST ENOUGH TO CAUSE ALITTLE RIPPLE ON THE WATER FOR GOOD FISHING . I FISHED FOR 6 1/2 HRS TODAY, JUST COULDN,T COME IN IT WAS SO NICE. ENDED UP WITH . 4 NICE TROUT. 3 PUPPIES . ONE OVER THE SLOT . 1 BLACK DRUM ABOUT 2 LB.S . AND 11 FLOUNDER. ALL UNDER THE SLOT . HAD 6 GOOD LEGAL FISH BUT RELEASED ALL . GOT PLENTY IN THE FREEZER. MISSED THE GRAND SLAM AGAIN THIS TIME BY 1/2 " SO GETTING CLOSER. GO GET UMMMMM.

end email

Wow, this dude can fish! Congratulations Caro17 for a job well done.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Trout in Surf

I heard from Mr. Nick this morning that a couple of his friends had caught a few specks in the surf this week. "They caught them right in the suds." said Nick. Many of you may know Mr. Nick. He fishes daily from Surf City Pier and is known for finding the fish when action is slow.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Jumping Mulet

The water behind our home is absolutely FULL of jumping mullets. School after school pass through. It's fun watching them jump.I am catching plenty of mud minnows, and there are always small shrimp in the trap. The water is waking up after a winter hibernation. Life is good.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Got to breath.....Got to fish!
Everybody has to be somewhere......I think I will go fishing.

Cruzin Reds

I went to the free pier at Surf City's Surfside park. I didn't catch anything, but I observed a school of reds cruising the water right in front of the pier. The water was very clear, so I could see them clearly. There were about 20 or so fish, estimated size around 15 to 20 inches. Some would charge my lure when I drug it near the school, but there were no takers. Could it be that the water was so clear? Did they see my line and get spooked? Don't know, but I had fun watching and aggravating the puppies.

Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny
Got to breath....Got to fish!

Not Wabbit Season, Fishing Season!

"Be Vewy, Vewy, Quiet.....We're Hunting Muwwets!"

I saw the first sea mullet of the season today. It was caught on fresh shrimp in the surf. The angler said he had just begun fishing, and was looking for puffers. He had a bite while we were talking, and started reeling in his catch. He commented that he didn't think it was a shark, "Don't feel like a shark." We thought it was a puffer. Imagine our surprise when we saw a 8 inch sea mullet on the hook. Gotta go fishin'!

On the inside, a few keeper flounder have been caught from the free pier at Surf City' Surfside Park. They have been caught on cut shrimp, gulp soft baits, and mud minnows. Gotta go fishin'!

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Help Stop the Senseless Slaughter of Dolphins!

Dear Friends, We need to do something to stop this tragedy. The resource is being deleted at an alarming rate. This petition is one small way we can do something. Please consider taking action, as I have done.


Email from Capt. Chris Medlin...East Coast Sports
I got this e-mail from Dick Henry (former owner of Henry’s tackle and Penn) I shows a sad side of man. If you are the least bit squeamish about blood do not watch the video. I am a rough and tumble kind of guy but it almost brought tears to my eyes.

Please Sign the Petition. This is wrong in every way.

Capt. Chris Medlin



Dear Friends and lovers of the ocean. Sometimes the ocean needs our help, and this is one of them

To view the video is very disturbing, to not act in stopping such behaviour would be a travesty ...

At the very least please sign this online petition. Lovers of the ocean and it's inhabitants - this is a clear call to action. To do nothing is to approve of it.

Please take the time to look at the video and sign the online petition. >From little things, big things grow........

And then send it on to as many like minded people that you know. If we build the numbers, we will be heard eventually and things will change, one way or the other

Please help! We must change the way people think about their oceans and inhabitants for the good of us all.

Click on links below

The video - http://www.glumbert.com/media/dolphin

The petition - http://www.petitiononline.com/golfinho/

Captain Tim Dean

Calypso Fishing Adventures

www.marlinfishingaustralia.com
end email


Till next time....
Tight Lines!
Johnny

Signing off a little sad after viewing part of the video above. I just couldn't watch it all.

Comments Enabled......Finally!

I think I have finally succeeded in getting the comments options to work. Please feel free to leave comments if you wish. Just click on the comments link under the post on the left side. However in the process of working on the blog, I have lost several links that were posted. I will get these back up asap. Thanks for your patience.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

PS.....I get the stitches out of my finger Monday.....GOING FISHING!


31453

Another good day on the water for Caro17

BEAUTIFUL DAY. WINDS LAID DOWN SOME. THOUGHT I WOULD FISH SOME OF THE INCOMING TIDE. 2ND CAST BEAUTIFUL 23" TROUT. 5TH CAST 17" FLO. OH BOY GOING TO DO IT AGAIN TODAY[WRONG]. BUT NOT A BAD DAY AT ALL . ENDED UP WITH 4 FLO ONE 17" 3 JUST UNDER THE SLOT. LOST 3 MORE AT THE BOAT. 2 TROUT ONE 23" OTHER 15" [RELEASED]. HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PUPPIES. NOT A ONE . WATER TEMP 60. THEIR WAS NO BITE AT ALL ON SLACK TIDE. SO IT APPEARS YOU NEED MOVING WATER , ONLY GOT 2 MORE HITS AFTER THE WATER STARTED MOVING OUT .
ENDED THIS DAY EATING WHOLE FRIED FLO WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. FILLET FLO IS GOOD BUT YOU CAN,T BEAT WHOLE FRIED. THEY SAY THE CLOSER THE BONE THE SWEETER THE MEAT. MUST BE SOMETHING TO IT . WHAT A LIFE. GO GET UMMMMM.

Thanks for sharing.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Flonder in the Inside!

Flounder Pictured Caught By Fishin Bud and Blog Reader Caro17







Got this email today from fishin bud Caro17. Read it below.

Caro 17 wrote:

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY ON THE WATER. A LITTLE BREEZY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET UP THE CREEK OUT OF MOST OF IT . STARTED FISHING AT 12.30. TIDE HAD JUST STARTED TO FALL.. WATER TEMP 59 . WAS USING 1/16TH JIG AND 3" NEW PENNY GULP SHRIMP. FISHED CREEPY SLOW. DID MANAGE TO FIND THE FISH EARLY TODAY. AND THE BITE WAS ON . I STOPPED COUNTING THE NUMBER OF HOOKUPS AT 20. MOST SMALL UNDER THE SLOT FISH , BUT DID MANAGE 2 NICE FLOUNDER ONE 17 1/2 , ONE 14 1/2 AND ONE LEGAL PUPPY JUST IN THE SLOT. STAYED IN THE SAME SPOT TILL 3.30 AND THE BITE STOPPED. BOATED 11 FLOUNDER AND 10 PUPPIES. A GREAT DAY FOR ME. SO GO GET UMMMMM.

end message:

Congratulations Caro17 for a good day on the water! Of course to me any day on the water is a good one.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

Flounder Bite Picking Up Inside

Hello, Thanks for hanging around while I have been sick. I am feeling much better now. Thanks to all who sent emails of concern. I received a message from a friend, Caro17, who says the bite is picking up in the creeks. The water has warmed up dramatically, and the bite is good. Caro17 caught the grand slam, (flounder, trout, red drum) this week, although the red was an inch short of the slot. The flounder were nice, 16 inches.

I am starting to see jumping mullets in the tidal creek behind our home. I have seen a couple of really big schools of hand size fish, and some schools of larger fish. They are still moving kind of sluggish, but the fact that they are moving in and out of the creeks is a sign to me that the game fish will soon follow. I have cut my middle finger on my right hand. (five stitches) So I won't get to fish anytime soon. So if you go out, send an email and let us know how you did. Good Luck!
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny