I have always heard that the best time to fish saltwater was the day before or the day after a hurricane. Last week, I had the opportunity to check out that theory, and it was right on. After we had booked our VRBO cottage on Ferry Creek near the Piankatank River, we found out that Hurricane Ophelia would be passing through during our stay. Since we would not be taking a direct hit, we decided to go anyway and tough it out. We had flashlights, water, and plenty of food – plus my fishing rods. On Friday, the day the hurricane would be arriving, I caught 50 fish from the dock, including of puppy drum, speckled trout, spot, sand perch and white perch. I kept the three largest and we fried them for dinner. The hurricane blew through on Friday night and into Saturday afternoon. When it subsided, I went back out on the dock and caught another 20 or so fish.
Species like drum, rockfish, spot, and trout actually like rough water. It stirs up the bait and dislodges minnows and crabs for their hidey holes. I didn’t catch any rockfish, but they were out there busting bait in the channel. If I had a boat, it would have been easy pickings.
During my fishing trip, I made a couple discoveries. First, small size 1 circle hooks will catch even small fish, like spot, and it you hook a larger fish, like a puppy drum, they hold fast and allow you to dislodge the hook easily. None of the fish I caught took the hook deep.
My second discovery was that you can fish Berkley GULP! Pogy Saltwater Minnows just like a live minnow. Hook it through the lips and toss it out. The GULP! Scent attracts fish and they will eat it like the real thing.
When I returned, I ordered more of these baits. I don’t want to ever be without them.
I caught lots of fish on each of the 4 days we were on the water.
You know, hurricanes aren’t all that bad.
OBX
Fishing was spotty before the storm with reports of lots of Sea Mullet, Spot, Blues, Flounder, and Pompano were caught in the surf. Hopefully, warm water will continue to keep the fishing hot after the storm passes.
The piers saw Sea Mullet, Spot, Puppy Drum, Big Drum and Flounder as well. Speckled Trout fishing is excellent inside Pamlico Sound right now. Try popping corks to cover water quickly, and to find aggressive fish.
The inshore fisherman shared several catches with us! Their catches varied between Sheepshead, Black Drum, Puppy Drum, Drum, Speckled Trout, and Flounder.
The offshore boats are still catching Billfish, Dolphin, and Wahoo!
Freshwater
Lake Orange temperatures are now in the low 70s and the water is slightly stained. Bass and crappie are heading to the shallows for the fall feed. Crappie were caught on live minnows over brush in 6 to 8-ft. Bass are using the grass beds to ambush baitfish. Topwater baits over grassy areas in lowlight periods are productive and live minnows and soft plastics are catching fish during midday. A few walleye have been caught recently on harness rigs rigged with live bait. Catfishing remains good with chicken livers and live bait working best. The upper end of the lake has been the most productive. Angler’s Landing is hosting our annual Youth Fishing Day this Saturday, September 30th from 12-4pm.
The marina will close at the end of September, but the lake remains open to fishermen year round.