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.
The Angler's Angle
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.
Speckled trout surf fishing success starts before dawn
Get rigged and ready, because the best time to be fishing the beach for fall-run speckled trout is before the sun rises.
Fall fishing — sweater weather — the best time to get back
Autumn is the best for dramatic and rewarding fishing adventures, and Capt. Gordon returns to share his tips for success on the water.
Make the most of fish you catch and keep: go-to methods
Capt. Gordon doesn’t always keep the fish he catches, but when he does, he has a variety of tried and true preparations guaranteed to please.
Bring fishing gear to help you see what you’re looking at
In the words of Thoreau, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Newton’s 4th Law: Large fish can be caught on light gear
You may have nice gear and the right tackle, but if you are not boating the big ones there are a number of possible reasons, all of which can be addressed through preparation — and physics.
Golfing for bass — best use of a course is fishing, of course
While so many variables can make saltwater fishing especially challenging, bass fishing in golf course water hazards can bring success and satisfaction, but there are important points to consider.
Speckled trout fishing is best with a fly rod, just ask Thoreau
What fly fishing may lack in efficiency is more than made up for in the personal fulfillment of living deliberately.