Bringing up a fish too quickly is rough on the fish, and if not a keeper, releasing it improperly results in barotrauma, meaning the poor thing is shark bait — that’s where descenders come in.
The Angler's Angle
Gear up the night before or get left out, leftovers tomorrow
Don’t be that angler who waits until the last moment to rig up their equipment and then misses the action — procure and prepare in advance.
Capturing moments: Make the most of memorable catches
A few simple tips can turn that image of your once-in-a-lifetime experience on the water from stinker to a potential treasured family heirloom.
Little tunny, fat albert — False albacore are 100% genuine
The awesome run of false albacore off Cape Lookout is unequaled anywhere in the country from the middle of October to the end of November.
Fishing is for the birds, and they can show you how, where
It’s true that feathered creatures can be an indicator of what’s going on beneath the surface, it’s important to understand what each bird is, how it fishes, and what it means to us as anglers.
‘Enjoying,’ not just ‘catching,’ can enhance coastal lure, life
“I think people get too wrapped up in the ‘catching’ aspect of fishing,” says Neill Pollock of Charlotte. “Sure, that’s what we are out there to do but enjoying the water and surroundings is what we should really strive for.”
Redfish through seasons: Target wisely, release carefully
Popular with anglers, to catch red drum, the state saltwater fish, takes experience and know-how, and preserving them for the future requires care and expediency in returning to the water those you boat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Winter fishing comes with perils, discomfort, big rewards
Capt. Gordon doesn’t like winter any more than anyone, but he has tips for boating the big ones that don’t seem to mind the cold.
