On the third day of Christmas
21 December, 2020
Watching the fishing rods on a dreary day
It was a simple day…..and that’s okay. With the way things are going in the world right now, simple is good. It means you don't have problems and things are going well. It was nice and we're happy to take it.
Jeff and Mary arrived last night and took up residence on the second floor. This morning, Laurie, Jeff and Mary started out their day by walking on the beach while I slept late. I had some breakfast, and tied shock leaders on the fishing rods and set the gear up for a day of fishing. I intended to take Laurie fishing but it has been dark and overcast most of the morning. Hopefully we’ll be able to pull it off.
We headed up island to Hatteras Jack in Rodanthe to secure bait. When we entered, the proprietor was working in the back, alone. When we came in he pulled up his mask and came up front to take care of us. We were unable to get fresh bait and had to settle for frozen mullet, and iced down the cooler. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get any fresh bait or not as there aren’t a lot of fishermen here this time of year. It’ll be what it will be. Patience is a virtue out here.
Jeff and Mary arrived last night and took up residence on the second floor. This morning, Laurie, Jeff and Mary started out their day by walking on the beach while I slept late. I had some breakfast, and tied shock leaders on the fishing rods and set the gear up for a day of fishing. I intended to take Laurie fishing but it has been dark and overcast most of the morning. Hopefully we’ll be able to pull it off.
We headed up island to Hatteras Jack in Rodanthe to secure bait. When we entered, the proprietor was working in the back, alone. When we came in he pulled up his mask and came up front to take care of us. We were unable to get fresh bait and had to settle for frozen mullet, and iced down the cooler. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get any fresh bait or not as there aren’t a lot of fishermen here this time of year. It’ll be what it will be. Patience is a virtue out here.
The rod rack I designed and built
We headed back south to ramp 23 in Salvo to drive out on the beach. In order to drive on the beach and not dig into the soft sand, you have to bleed your tire pressures down to 20 or less. This makes the truck go across the sand much easier than if the tires are fully inflated.
You also have to have a “ORV” permit from the park service in order to legally drive on the beach. They are available for ten days ($50) or a year ($120). I bought ours online before we came down, along with our NC saltwater fishing licenses ($32/person per year). For our ORV permit and fishing licenses, we’re in for $184 plus a couple bucks in processing fees. Not cheap.
You also have to have a “ORV” permit from the park service in order to legally drive on the beach. They are available for ten days ($50) or a year ($120). I bought ours online before we came down, along with our NC saltwater fishing licenses ($32/person per year). For our ORV permit and fishing licenses, we’re in for $184 plus a couple bucks in processing fees. Not cheap.
Waiting on the fish
I printed them out, and saved a copy to Google drive before we came down, which gives me a backup if they were lost. ORV permits and saltwater fishing licenses were not required when we lived in NC and this does add substantially to the cost of a trip. In the old days, anyone could fish in the ocean for free or drive on the beach. This is no longer the case and it’s pay to play. I wonder how many this keeps away. In the old days when we came out here, it would have possibly affected our decisions to come here. It used to be open to all.
I bled the tires down to 20 pounds and off we went. The sand was firm due to the rains and driving on the beach was very easy. It was still gray and cloudy, but not raining like yesterday. Consequently, there were others on the beach walking, and staying away from everyone else.
I bled the tires down to 20 pounds and off we went. The sand was firm due to the rains and driving on the beach was very easy. It was still gray and cloudy, but not raining like yesterday. Consequently, there were others on the beach walking, and staying away from everyone else.
Set up a mile north of ramp 23, Salvo
The fishing wasn’t great and we didn’t get a single hit. Currents were bad enough that we were throwing 8 ounce sinkers in order to keep the rigs on the bottom! It’s like that out here though and this is not unexpected. Hatteras is known for rough seas and big waves. It is also known for monster big fish, and if you’re gonna catch the monsters you have to learn to work with the waves and currents here.
It wasn’t as cold as I expected and we were actually quite comfortable. We hung out, fished, talked for several hours, and at the end of the day the clouds broke and the sun came out. It was a short break of sun but it was nice! I’m rusty on surf fishing techniques as I haven’t fished in the surf for several decades, but I'll start to remember the more I fish.
I don't read the beach as well as I used to, figuring out where the bars and troughs are.....the best places to fish. It's not due to age, it's because I haven't done it in nearly 3 decades. I'm rusty. I saltwater fished a lot in Wilmington but it was mostly offshore or gigging flounder, and that’s not really an option anymore. Give me a little time and I'll figure it out again. I'll once again be able to pick out the small details that hint to the underwater features where fish congregate.
It wasn’t as cold as I expected and we were actually quite comfortable. We hung out, fished, talked for several hours, and at the end of the day the clouds broke and the sun came out. It was a short break of sun but it was nice! I’m rusty on surf fishing techniques as I haven’t fished in the surf for several decades, but I'll start to remember the more I fish.
I don't read the beach as well as I used to, figuring out where the bars and troughs are.....the best places to fish. It's not due to age, it's because I haven't done it in nearly 3 decades. I'm rusty. I saltwater fished a lot in Wilmington but it was mostly offshore or gigging flounder, and that’s not really an option anymore. Give me a little time and I'll figure it out again. I'll once again be able to pick out the small details that hint to the underwater features where fish congregate.
Dramatic skies bring dramatic weather
Tomorrow looks kinda rough and fishing (or much else) may not be an option. Winds are supposed to start tonight and gust as high as 40 knots (46 mph). It might be a little sporty tomorrow, but we’ll figure it out. It may be a good day to take photos, but throwing a rig into huge surf and heavy wind is tough. Often times the ocean just throws it back at you.
We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. Maybe photography, maybe I’ll fly kites or the drone if the wind lays down some. Laure can draw and sketch, and read her Kindle. I can play online poker. We can watch TV or drive on the beach. I’m pretty sure I’ll sleep late….I’m getting used to that.
Goodnight everyone! See you tomorrow.
We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. Maybe photography, maybe I’ll fly kites or the drone if the wind lays down some. Laure can draw and sketch, and read her Kindle. I can play online poker. We can watch TV or drive on the beach. I’m pretty sure I’ll sleep late….I’m getting used to that.
Goodnight everyone! See you tomorrow.
Ghost of Christmas past
Progresso Mexico, Christmas 2008
|
|