The early winter sea bass season has been nothing less than sensational. When weather allows, boats are returning with limits on each trip – and nice bass at that. Tautog are plentiful on nearshore ocean wrecks and reefs. Their feeding activity is based on water temperature. When the water is above 44 degrees, they should be available. Now that Bay water has hit 50 degrees look for the bite to … [Read more...]

  Sharks don’t mind the cold saltwater, now in the lower to mid-fifties, so if you have ever wanted to catch a few, now’s a good time. There have been numerous shark catches at Hatteras and lots of dogfish reported on the Nags Head beaches. The warm weather this week has improved surf fishing with some nice red drum reported. Puppy Drum, Black Drum and a few Blow Toads are also biting … [Read more...]

By Peter Brookes When February rolls around, most anglers have had about as much of being stuck indoors and away from their favorite fishing hole as they can stand. “Cabin fever” among anglers ranks right up there with the flu as an unwelcome winter illness. This year’s bone-chilling polar vortex only made it worse. But letting cabin fever get to you isn’t the answer. Instead, put on your … [Read more...]

  It’s time to catch a few togs’. Tautogs, the fish. They don’t mind the cold weather if you don’t. They put up a decent fight, and they are good to eat. Some big tautogs are now being caught on the ocean wrecks.  Dr. Ken Neill successfully fished the triangle wrecks with Johnny Boyd over the weekend. They kept a few big ones and tagged and released the rest. Four already had tags in … [Read more...]

  There is still plenty of fishing action to be had on the Outer Banks. The Giant Bluefin Tuna showed up out of Oregon Inlet late last week, soon after the reopening of the commercial season. Along with the Bluefin, there have been reports of Yellowfin, Kings, Wahoo, and some really nice Blackfin. Jake Worthington and Garrett Grant were working on the Afishionado this past weekend looking … [Read more...]

  Saltwater fishing opportunities are limited in January and February.  Only the most hardcore anglers can deal with the weather. Water temperatures are now in the mid-40’s. The Virginia Bay rockfish season closed January 31st. Before it ended, anglers took advantage and caught lots of large fish. In the winter, big ocean rockfish begin to school up in the Chesapeake Bay as they stage … [Read more...]

  I had never played golf when it was 17 degrees, but I did last week, and I’m pretty sure I’ll never do it again. We were driving to Atlanta to spend Christmas with Jimmie and his family. I had facetiously called and told my son to get us a tee time at 11 am on the next day. And he did! Jimmie, James, Virginia, and I teed it up at Top Golf. It was my first experience in a game that is … [Read more...]