Too many people don’t know or don’t care about anything but themselves, and they can ruin the day for all concerned, so here’s what to know before you go and you won’t become one of “those” guys.
Casting call: Practice the fundamentals to become proficient
The act of throwing out a fishing line isn’t as easy as it seems, and if you want to do it well, which means delivering it distantly and accurately, you’ll need to do some work.
Why do we fish? Myriad reasons are all valid, except for one
Whatever the motivation, personal or philosophical, escapist or naturalist, there is almost no wrong answer when it comes to fishing.
There’s no substitute for total tidal understanding in fishing
Any saltwater angler worth their salt will know before they go when to go, so, understanding the tides and how they affect fish behavior is a must.
Fly fishing ’round here? Options abound for the well prepared
“Where do you do that ’round these parts?” The answer is almost anywhere, if you know when to get there, what to bring and how to use it. Capt. Gordon shares his tips.
A successful catch from a pier takes a bit of bait, know-how
Piers can be found along the state’s coast, from Avalon at Kill Devil Hills to as far south as Sunset Beach, and each one has local expertise that will separate the rookies from what we used to call “The Sharpies,” Capt. Gordon Churchill writes.
Lovin’ Spoonsful: Spoon lures may be an underused asset
There are lots of ways to fish spoon lures, and they are popular worldwide, but around here, they seem to be underutilized.
Survey says … be considerate with your music while fishing
Capt. Gordon’s “extensive research” finds that, while it may be a matter of individual preference, the question of whether or not may instead be a matter of how loud, when and where.
What makes a fishing trip great? It’s not how many you catch
Following Capt. Gordon’s recent tips on preserving memories by taking better photos: Consider who is with you as a big part of the equation for a fondly memorable angling experience.
Inspirational moments, indelible impressions are best shared
Those who have fished have memories of great experiences, but many of the most memorable may have been because of your company, even when you returned empty-handed.
All Spanish, all season: Fun catch, good eats, April-October
These tasty, gold-spotted speedsters are the target of many an angler along the Carolina coast, and there’s a method suited to everyone’s fishing style.
Go for glamour, but also be prepared to catch those ‘other’ fish
Glory species such as speckled trout, red drum, flounder and king mackerel are what nearly every saltwater angler loves to target, but often you’ll have to deal with an unwanted, sometimes dangerous catch.
Overlooking tiny details a recipe for frequent fishing failure
The person you see who just seems to randomly toss a bait out but catches fish all the time is paying attention to nuances that others may miss.
When fishing, Justin Manners heeds Ben Franklin’s advice
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” goes the old adage and it is angler, charter captain, HVAC tech and Richlands resident Justin Manners’ key to success on the water.
Trolling the best way to cover lots of water in search of a bite
Among all the saltwater fishing methods, one way is best when you know fish are out there and you want to keep bait in the water for as long as possible — and it has nothing to do with social media or Scandinavian folklore.
Fishing hooked newspaperman Rip Woodin far from coast
Rocky Mount Telegram Publisher Rip Woodin, who spends free time at his Atlantic Beach getaway, didn’t grow up fishing, but a gift of a fly rod from his boss in Wyoming decades ago lit the passion.

















