Autumn is starting to signal its arrival, and while spring planting gets all the attention, this region offers two growing seasons with the promise of success, despite pests and problems unique to the coast.
Commentary
Expectations: ‘Make the best of the way things turn out’
How and where you set your expectations ahead of a planned fishing trip determines how that adventure will turn out far more than the number of fish boated.
Seagrasses offer habitat; know each type for great fishing
All kinds of creatures find shelter and food in the various types of seagrasses seen along the coast, and careful observation and understanding of what you’re looking at before you cast can help you hook up.
Claude Crews leaves a lasting impression on those he meets
Claude Crews, the longtime Hammocks Beach State Park superintendent, ushered in a new era for state parks and served as a role model for many, including our Sam Bland, who is back with Coastal Review to pay homage.
Indigenous tobacco from ancient seeds: History comes alive
Tobacco was once an important cash crop in the South, but much longer ago, the Cherokee valued it too and meticulously saved their seeds, including some a spelunker found in a cave 2,000 years later.
What if you could no longer do the things you love most?
Capt. Gordon has long held that his favorite aspect of fishing was the anticipation of going, and while that has become more challenging in recent months, the motivation of angling opportunities ahead remains strong.
Sam’s Field Notes: Catch a wave … in Wyoming?
Having spent years surfing the North Carolina coast, Sam Bland was in for a surprise when he happened upon a group of surfers on the Snake River in Wyoming.
Can’t stand the heat? Go fishing, but know the keys to cool
Sure it’s hot, but the urge to angle is strong. So, just follow these simple steps to prepare for and ensure a more enjoyable and successful summer venture.
Opinion: Catch reports will improve fisheries management
Guest commentary: The state needs time to build out its new catch-reporting system, and while it may annoy some, the improved data will mean more fish, longer seasons.
Jigs: Knowing these ubiquitous lures equals fishing success
No matter the variety — and there could be any number of choices — jigs are nearly universally guaranteed to improve an angler’s odds.
How to hook up: Pink crustacean … sans white sport coat
Second in a series on bait selection: For fishing success, mullet is not the only live bait option — crabs and shrimp are a huge part of the diet of the fish we pursue.
To reel in ‘glamour’ species, first try catching what they eat
It doesn’t just look, smell and move like the real thing, it actually is the real thing.
Get to know the most popular lures, how to use them
Capt. Gordon shares his insight on popular plugs used for inshore fishing on the North Carolina coast and how to successfully fish them.
State’s Flood Resiliency Blueprint a necessary new approach
Commentary: Building flood resilience across the state saves $6 for every $1 spent before disaster strikes, and a new tool developed in collaboration with numerous stakeholders can help local leaders determine where to invest.
Where war looks lost, Mother Nature fights climate change
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and other, nearby refuges and state lands especially vulnerable to climate change are getting $27.5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for nature-based solutions.
Excerpt: Conflict Over Water Access from ‘Time And Tide’
Outer Banks resident and author Tim Hatcher examines the long history of conflicts over water access on the North Carolina coast in this selected chapter from his 2023 book, “Time and Tide: The Vanishing Culture of the North Carolina Coast.”
