Couple of Firsts Down East

Last week I was on vacation with my inlaws in Atlantic Beach, NC.  I took my canoe and made contact with some locals so I could sneak off and fish here and there. 

After my redfish experience in Sneads Ferry, I was eager to try to catch one from my canoe.  I fished Queens Creek near Swansboro, NC with Brad (a fellow NCAngler).  We were targeting redfish and flounder and I got skunked.  Brad caught one short flounder and a few trash fish.  The only thing I "caught" were a few baitfish in my cast net and a mild sunburn.  I did enjoy the area and would love to try it again in the Fall. 

Later in the week, I met up with Brad and a few other local kayak anglers and we fished the White Oak River.  I started out targeting bass and caught a few small ones.  I quickly realized the predominant fish in these waters is longnose gar.  We anchored up in an area were they were busting everywhere and I got a lesson in gar catching techniques.  After 30 min or so, I caught and landed my first gar while intentionally targeting them.  I've caught one before but it was accidental while bass fishing.  Here are a few shots of the White Oak River.  It's very scenic.

On our way back to Raleigh from the beach, I stopped at a small creek on the Neuse river with another group of locals.  Our mission was to land a bowfin.  We were successful and I caught a few nice bass along the way. 

I don't think I'll be converting to a "bowfin angler" anytime soon, but it was fun to check that species off the list.

-Jeff

Back for More Striper!

I was torn between chasing smallmouth or going back to the river I fished a month ago to see if the striper were still around.

I probably should have gone for the smallies as I haven't caught many this year.  However, it's tough to argue with success. 

Conditions
Ambient:  95 F (HOT!)
Water Temp: 88 F
Water was very clear with ~10 ft visibility

The shallow areas of the river exposed to sunlight were covered in hydrilla.  I started off in a small channel looking to snag a largemouth.  With the superclear water I decided to throw a buzzbait with my spinning reel and 10 lb braid because I could throw it very far and not spook the fish.  I only caught 2 (including the one below) this way and headed back to the main river.

I then headed to the striper zone to see if they were still there from my last trip.  I pulled up in the area and 3 guys in a john boat were fishing where I wanted to anchor up.  There were also 4 or 5 people fishing from the opposite bank.  The boat left shortly after I pulled into the area and I went to work.  I caught 2 striper here on a Bomber Walkie Talkie right in front of the spectators.  I didn't see anyone else catching fish.

I floated downstream into a deep area with current.  I started bombing casts out into the open and caught 4 more striper including these guys. 

Paddled back to the put-in area as the sun was setting and went back to the buzzer.  Caught a few largemouth around some shallow rocky areas before a T-storm moved in and drove me out.

It was a good afternoon/evening of fishing and I managed to avoid getting struck by lightning.

-Jeff