Weekly Column - August 21, 2006

Recreational fishing is one of those few sports that can be accomplished as an individual, as a loose group of individuals or as a team. But whether fishing alone, with friends or on a competitive team, fishing seems to bring out the best of people.

I’ve noticed over the years that when people are fishing, they are just plain nice and courteous to each other -- even perfect strangers. Often folks will go out of their way to help someone they just met tie a rig, give directions or help in finding bait. Sometimes they even reveal a favorite spot or two.

When fishing we seem more willing to chat with strangers, to get to know them. We seem a little less on edge, a bit more willing to be friendly. I know there are exceptions to this, but overall I think that is true of most folks’ experiences with other fisherman.

I’ve often wondered if this is because anglers possess a certain category of personality or set of traits. But it seems that anglers range the full gambit of personalities and traits.

Then I wondered if there was some aura surrounding us while we are fishing; or that somehow the act of fishing itself stimulates some kind of chemistry in our brains, like runners and other athletes sometimes feel. Maybe, but these are doubtful.

I finally concluded that the real reason is that when we are fishing we relax, let our guards down and enjoy ourselves. I know other activities bring out these qualities, but fishing is something that cuts across all gender, social and ethnic boundaries. It’s something just about everyone can enjoy.

Hey maybe we should require all that of our politicians go fishing together once a month. Well, it couldn’t hurt.

Catching report

The bite has been a bit "spotty," which is typical for the hot summer weather, but at other times it has been very good. Overall a wide variety of fish have been caught inshore and on the beaches.

The puppy drum have moved into deeper, cooler water but are still reachable. The big ocean drum, on the other hand, are now showing up in the surf and on the shoals. New Topsail Inlet’s shoals (around the north end of Lea Island) have been very productive lately.

The flounder bite has been really good during certain tides. Many fish are being found on the artificial and natural reefs close to shore. Some kings and a few tarpon have been caught off of piers and from boats trolling near the beaches. Spanish mackerel and blues are still working the inlet areas with mornings and late afternoons being the best time to find them biting.

King and dolphin fishing has been steady in the 10- to 25-mile range, with a few bill fish found in the outer part of that range as well. Further out, the bottom fishing has been very good, with many nice grouper, snappers, black bass and other bottom feeders coming in.

Tight lines to all!