If you want to get a Spanish or king mackerel, shark or bluefish on the end of a line and actually land it, you need to be prepared with the correct leader for each type of fish.
fishing
Boardwalk beneath the bridge
An angler recently tries his luck from beneath the Scuppernong River Bridge on the the Scuppernong River Boardwalk at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge visitor center in Columbia, in Tyrrell County. Money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was appropriated to replace the boardwalk, a project that was announced to take place in fiscal 2026. Congress directly appropriated $455 million to the refuge over five years for programs related to the previous administration’s America the Beautiful initiative announced in 2021. The nonprofit National Wildlife Refuge Association has said that continuing resolutions, such as the emergency funding bill signed into law last week, throw refuges into chaos and uncertainty and can prevent new project starts. Photo: Mark Hibbs
When fishermen harvested seaweed: Beaufort’s agar industry
The curiosity that sparked when historian David Cecelski came across photos taken in 1944 of fishermen harvesting seaweed near Beaufort inspired a “bit of a deep dive” into topics he never imagined studying: the history of agar, ecology of seaweed, the wartime crisis that led to seaweed harvesting and the construction of the Beaufort agar factory.
Public mixed on game land access pass plan during hearing
The Wildlife Resources Commission has proposed requiring paid passes for recreational uses of state game lands, a plan that could improve safety during hunting season but may make access out of reach for large user groups.
Don’t judge as convict, sheepshead only criminally delicious
Their black-and-white markings may make them look like jailbirds, but these toothy fish’s diets translate to good eating for us, as well as sporting pursuit.
NC Catch Summit March 10 to promote local seafood
Organizers have planned discussions on North Carolina fisheries, the value of community-based seafood businesses, seafood trends, marketing strategies, the new commercial fishing academy at Carteret Community College and consumer education.
Wildlife officials suspend Roanoke River striped bass season
The striped bass population in the Roanoke River Management Area is not recovering, despite state-imposed harvest reductions in years past, state Wildlife Resources Commission officials say.
African Americans in seafood industry heart of new exhibit
The exhibit debuting March 9 on Harkers Island features the ongoing NC Catch initiative that highlights African Americans in the state seafood industry.
Fishing for snacks: Food choices a crucial, overlooked detail
The importance of what one chooses to take along on fishing trips cannot be overstated, nor can words adequately describe this angler/columnist’s distaste for Vienna sausages.
State seeks feedback on proposed conservation access pass
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing to implement a pass program for non-licensed hunters, fishers and trappers to access state game lands, boating accesses and shooting ranges.
A boat is a boat, is a boat, is a boat … or is it really?
If you have or desire a boat that can do everything, you may wind up with a boat that can’t do anything — here’s how to know what you need.
For fishing tips, fuller life, fill your shelves with good books
Learning to fish — or simply navigating life on Earth — can be a far more enjoyable endeavor with the wisdom to be gleaned from the pages of all kinds of books.
People we meet while fishing: Seek Mentors, avoid Leeches
Fishing affords opportunities to encounter all kinds of personality types, many more toxic than helpful, but aspiring to be more like those you’d most like to meet may offer a roadmap.
By land or by sea
Kevin Hardy of Wilmar, near Vanceboro, fishes along Cape Lookout National Seashore as a commercial fishing trawler offshore heads southwest. Photo: Dylan Ray
Snappers, groupers, sea bass — oh my! Tips for success
Accomplished anglers Joel Elliot of the Hillsborough Sportfishing Club and Paul Gilbert of Wilmington share their advice to get you started with deep-water fishing for grouper and snapper.
Descender devices: Safely resend released fish to their depth
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.
