Fishing

June 17, 2009

Surf Fishing: Strategies for summer angling

By JOE MALAT

Mention surf fishing to any angler on Hatteras or Ocracoke, and the "prime times" of spring and fall will immediately enter the discussion. Those are the times when schools of large fish are migrating up or down the coast, with speckled trout, jumbo red drum, striped bass, and bluefish leading the lineup of fish.

But there’s also the summer season in the surf. They may not all be giants, but good numbers of fish are available for the summer angler. Most of the fish are fairly easy to catch and, although the rigs, tackle, and techniques may be somewhat different than those used at other times of the year, it’s worth the time to wet a line in the summertime surf.

Spot, croakers, bluefish, speckled trout, flounder, sea mullet, pompano, and Spanish mackerel are readily available.

During the warm summer months fish are often active very early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and also after the sun sets. During the summer, I like to be fishing when the sun starts cracking the horizon. Frequently, this can be the best fishing time of the day, as small bluefish or Spanish mackerel attack schools of bait fish in the breaking surf.

Tides will also affect how the fish are going to feed, and as a general rule along the ocean beach, the last two hours of rising tide and the first two hours of the falling may push the greatest numbers of fish close to the beach.

A perfect combination would be a high tide early in the morning, and that will bring another high tide in approximately 12 hours later on the same day. Since the fish may become active again in the evenings, you might see a repeat of the morning’s events just before or immediately after dark.

However, around Hatteras and Ocracoke inlets, the falling tide may be very productive. As the soundside water is swept through the inlets, baitfish and other food is carried along with the current. Predator fish will be attracted to the “buffet line.”

Heavy tackle is not necessary. For most general fishing a 9-foot spinning rod is probably the heaviest that you will need, and a light to medium 6- or 7-foot spinning rod with 8- or 10-pound test line will let you enjoy even the smallest of fish. Many of the fish can be caught within the range of an easy lob cast.

Simple, two-hook bottom rigs, set up with No. 4 light-wire, long-shanked hooks are just the ticket. I like to use Bear Paw gold finish, FNLS-4 spinner blade hooks to provide a little extra action and color to the bait. With a light rod, a one-ounce weight may hold bottom just fine. It doesn't hurt to let your rig move around a bit, and that might increase your chances of catching a flounder.

Bloodworms are popular natural bait in the summer. Anything will bite them but they are great for bottom feeders, such as spot, croakers and sea mullet. Use a small piece, just enough to cover the end of the hook, and keep the remainder of the worms cold, either in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Fresh water will kill bloodworms and make them useless as bait.

During the past few years, the artificial Fish Bite bloodworms, called “Bag O’ Worms,” have proven their worth. I use them frequently. They catch fish and are convenient and easy to use. Other popular baits are strips of squid, fresh shrimp, and pieces of cut mullet or spot.

Pompano usually weigh less than a pound, but they can range up to three pounds in the surf. Hard hitting and determined, they are a thrill to catch on light tackle. Most of the pompano are found in the surf along the southern end of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke.

Mole crabs, also called "sand fleas,” and fresh shrimp are top pompano baits. A little bit of digging in the sand at your feet can usually produce enough mole crabs for a day of fishing. Keep them alive in cool, damp sand.

Small Hopkins or similar lures will catch small bluefish. Bucktails, touts, and lead heads tipped with a soft plastic tail will draw strikes from flounder and trout. You might try adding a small squid strip to the bucktail to coax a hesitant flounder.

Spanish mackerel are a summer bonus for surfcasters. Boaters catch these speedsters as far north as Oregon Inlet with regularity, and most of the Spanish that surfcasters catch come from Avon on Hatteras Island down to Ocracoke Island. They prefer to feed in clear water. Look for signs of feeding mackerel, with gulls or terns hitting the water and picking up pieces of mangled bait. Frequently the mackerel will become airborne as they attack the frantic baitfish from underneath.

Spanish hit lures almost exclusively, preferring small Stingsilvers, Hopkins, or similar lures, retrieved quickly. A long cast is frequently needed and veterans prefer light, but powerful 9-foot graphite rods and medium size spinning reels packed with 10 or 12 pound test line.

The light line and large spool diameter of the reel can give you just enough extra distance on the cast to reach the fish. Tie the lure directly to the line, because the mackerel have excellent eyesight and shy away from any leader. However, they also have plenty of sharp teeth, and you will lose an occasional lure. Take a few spare lures with you to the beach.

Calm surf and light winds can set the stage for a fly fishing opportunity on the beach. An 8-weight or 9-weight rod, with an intermediate sinking line is just right. A stripping basket is invaluable and will add some distance to your cast. Clouser Minnows or small epoxy flies that look like a small baitfish will produce.

There are plenty of places for the summer angler to fish the surf along Hatteras and Ocracoke. Hit the beach at early and by the time the swimmers and sunbathers show up on the beach, you will be cleaning your morning's catch. (Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are closed to driving from May-Sept. 15 from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., so don’t get up too early.)

The most productive times for fishing may vary with local conditions, including winds, tides, and currents. Stop in at any one of several tackle shops for some fresh bait, and the latest fishing scoop.

(Joe Malat lives in Nags Head and is a professional outdoor writer and book author, and he operates the Outer Banks Surf Fishing Schools. He writes about saltwater fishing along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and is published regularly in national and regional magazines. To order his books, or request information about the Outer Banks Surf Fishing Schools, visit Joe’s web site at: www.joemalat.com.)