Pretty bad morning overall. I fished from sun up until about ten when I just gave up. The current was so strong today I couldn’t keep my bait in the water. I tried several locations on SI and one on IoP and had the same situation at each location. I was using a 4 oz pyrimaid sinker and just playing around I tied on a 2 oz with it (I realize this is a bad idea), and even then it washed up on the beach.
This leads to my question, what should you do when the current is strong? I know I need to invest in some sputniks, but is it even worth it when the current is so strong?
A bad day of fishing beats a good day of work anytime.
I had the same experience this morning at Sullivans . Only had one sputnik that I used on my bigger rod. Absolutely no bites. Also gave up about 10:30 as there were a ton of people out and even more dogs.
Also was on Sullivan’s Saturday and same story. Packed it up and hit folly pier for a few hours. Caught a bunch of dink whiting. It was my first time out on the pier and I must say I was impressed. Nice atmosphere.
Fished incoming on IOP Sunday morning and struggled with the current. Was fishing 2oz and 3oz pyramids and had to recast about every 10 mins or so. Caught several whiting, a couple of blues, and a small palometa. Caught the whiting and palometa on shrimp, the blues on cut mullet. (Caught a couple of mullet cruising in front of the breakers with the cast net. They were around 10-12 inches.) I keep a couple of 4oz pyramids and a 2oz sputnik in the bag, but don’t like fishing with them. I usually go home if fighting current with 3oz. The beautiful morning was the only thing that kept me on the beach. The fishing was slower than expected with light NW wind. Once the current tangled my lines I took that as a sign it was time to go home and packed up.
I fished sat night, weather man said the wind was supposed to drop to 0. It did die down about 3-4 hours after predicted, but then the skeeters ate me alive. I used 5oz spunicks and they helped some but still wouldnt do the job. Nothing was hitting, literally nothing. I also hate using sputnicks like grace said, those prongs get tangled up constantly.Does anyone know where to buy the spider weights locally, Ive found them online but dont like putting my credit card out if I dont have too. Back to the reason, the NE winds, I know there are other factors that produce crappy fishing but for me Im almost guaranteed not to have a good day when they are out, dont know why I continue to try them, get the same result almost every time.
I fished sat night, weather man said the wind was supposed to drop to 0. It did die down about 3-4 hours after predicted, but then the skeeters ate me alive. I used 5oz spunicks and they helped some but still wouldnt do the job. Nothing was hitting, literally nothing. I also hate using sputnicks like grace said, those prongs get tangled up constantly.Does anyone know where to buy the spider weights locally, Ive found them online but dont like putting my credit card out if I dont have too. Back to the reason, the NE winds, I know there are other factors that produce crappy fishing but for me Im almost guaranteed not to have a good day when they are out, dont know why I continue to try them, get the same result almost every time.
I agree. Only use Sputniks when absolutely necessary. I think I got the spider weights at Sportsman’s Warehouse here in Cola. If you want some, I can pick some up and bring em with me next time I come out to fish
People often stop and ask why I’m using big rods and reels when I’m surf fishing. I like to use smaller rigs and lighter weights, but sometimes it takes 6 or 8 ounces to keep your line out in bad conditions. Last Sunday morning on the IOP the weather was nice and there wasn’t much wind, but the current was strong. It took 5 ounces to keep the bait in place. I didn’t catch any big ones, but the bite for blues and whiting was pretty good.
I know up on the N.C. outer banks I’ve seen some of the best fishing on the worst weather days. I’ve stood in the driving rain with a hard NE blowing and seen some of the biggest Bull Reds caught.
I noticed that we’ll be having the big flood tides this weekend, so I imagine the current will be strong.