Fishing

October 6, 2009

Outer Banks Angling:
Are we island fishermen really so lucky to be in the business?

By ROB ALDERMAN

I guess a Norfolk-born knucklehead would never imagine living on a sandbar and fishing most of the year for a meager living. I know I never would have thought it 15 years ago, but somehow I managed to become that person.

After nearly a decade of being in the recreational fishing business on the Outer Banks, I have to stop and think about the hustle and bustle I left behind in Hampton Roads. Yes, the islands have times when cars clog Highway 12 and it seems all the house lights on the Banks are on, but it is still slow in comparison.

At this point in my Outer Banks career (if one can call it that), I am trying hard to produce a local TV show, running a small store, running kayak fishing guides and numerous other small ventures to keep afloat.

Like so many people in this area who work at a tackle shop, captain a boat, mate on a boat, or just work around the water all day, I hear "You are so lucky" about 100 times a week.

I definitely recognize that I am fortunate to be here on more levels than I can count and surrounded by water, with endless activities, beauty, and good people.

But, do not get it twisted. The stress is no less here than the pressure on the factory worker or desk jockey who is worried about losing his or her job at any given moment. The major difference would be that the desk jockey or factory worker is at least collecting a steady paycheck, while riding out this hurricane economy.

We fishermen never really know when the next paycheck will come.

I've seen some big fishing in my short time here on the Banks. I've seen $500 custom rods fly out of Hatteras Jack's and Red Drum Tackle, when the drum were being caught hand over fist. I've seen 10 to12 days straight when no charter boats were parked at the docks because the fishing was going off. I've seen TW's Bait and Tackle practically throwing striper lures into the back of vehicles because the stripers were running bait onto the beach.

But now it’s a different game altogether.

Expensive rods collect dust, boats stay parked, and tackle waits for a potential buyer or better yet-- a good, steady run of fish.

Every fisherman from Maine to Florida has his or her own theory as to why the fishing has gone slack, and I'll avoid that question this time around.

As far as the business aspect of it goes, a lot has to do with the economy. It is pretty easy to cut out fancy tackle, $1,500 charter trips, or fishing all together, given the state and uncertainty of this nation's economy. I don't know one person who hasn't cut back on the simple things, pleasures, and hobbies in life to survive our current situation, but it is a hard blow in a fishing community.

I am sure there is a good percentage of downturn because of beach access issues. If you can't get to popular fishing spots or even our best fishing spots on the beach, then tackle sales are going to suffer because the anglers just will not come.

Our fishing piers here on the Banks are teetering on becoming only a memory. I feel for all the local pier owners, because they are truly caught in a bad spot. Most of these piers cost their owners more money to maintain than they are worth. There is no such thing as insuring a wooden pier in this day and age.

Most piers only open because it would cost more to remove them. When -- and I say when because it is inevitable-- these piers fall because of a storm, most will not be rebuilt. I feel for the owners and the decisions they must make. When the time comes that there are fewer piers on which to fish, I am sure the recreational fishing industry will suffer an even greater economic blow.

And, the loss of pier and beach fishermen means a loss to the charter fleets also.

It goes unsaid that anyone in the recreational or commercial fishing industry is in it for the pure love of the job -- what will I see that day, what will I catch, what great fishing story will I hear or be a part of today?

A person is not in the fishing industry because of its benefits, wages, or awesome retirement plan.

Are we lucky?

Yes, because we can say that we love our jobs.

Now, most industries that find themselves in lulls simply adapt to their current obstacles, whether that is economics, lifestyle changes, or an industry breakthrough. We see companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken serving grilled entrees now, or you can purchase your favorite water in a bottle right next to the Mountain Dew in the machine because Pepsi bought a water producing plant. Car dealers and home sellers can reduce a price to entice a buyer, and retailers can go into sales and marketing mode.

But how does the fishing industry adapt? Where is there to really go other than into aggressive marketing?

Charter boats cannot really cut their prices because of the overhead to run one. We already discussed that the expenses facing the piers and the tackle shops can only be cut by so much. It’s even harder to sell fishing if the catching, weather, or access is not favorable.

Recently, I have seen some tackle shops and charter boats using radio and TV to market themselves, which was not that common when the getting was good. Why spend the marketing money if the business is already there? I see more boats offering half-day trips and near-shore trips than ever before, and I see tackle shops trying different products just to keep some cash flow.

Fifty years ago, this community was mainly commercial fishermen, and their lives were hard and tough for a meager living, but they did as they saw fit and freedom in their jobs was unmatched.

The Outer Banks began to slowly morph into an offshore fishing capital, along with the pier and surf fishing. Many commercial fishermen saw a better dollar to be made in the recreational fishing, so they gradually adapted. Some gave up commercial fishing altogether, while most worked recreational and commercial at the same time.

Over the years, the Outer Banks grew into a sand and sun destination, and some of those recreational and commercial fishermen adjusted to that crowd.

Eventually the sand and sun crowd surpassed the fishermen, but fishing has remained the No. 2 position for money and users, especially in the shoulder seasons.

Now it seems the world itself has darn near come to a financial halt.

So what does the fisherman do to make a living?

The truth is that I have no idea. I guess we can do the only thing there is to do -- trim all the fat we possibly can and hope for a fast turnaround.

Are we so lucky?

Yes.

We are some of the luckiest workers out there.

However, sometimes luck runs out.

I hope it’s not our turn, and I hope our streak continues on for many more years to come.

(Rob Alderman is the host and producer of the” The Outer Banks Angler” fishing program and the owner of The Outer Banks Angler store located in Buxton. You can find out more on his adventures at www.OuterBanksAngler.com.)