Outer Banks Fishing Reports

NC watermen wary of latest legislative twists

Having failed this spring to reel in votes, the legislators who proposed declaring three species of fish off-limits to commercial fishermen are instead asking their colleagues to create a committee dedicated to studying that idea.

The sponsors of HB353, known as the "game fish bill," have resurrected the legislation for inclusion in the Studies Act of 2011, which lawmakers could pass when they resume work July 13. In its current form, the Studies Act calls for the creation of the Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee, whose members would consider a wide range of ways to overhaul fishing laws.

The original idea behind HB353 - to designate red drum, spotted sea trout and striped bass as game fish, making them illegal to sell - remains on the proposed committee's agenda. Additional ideas to study include the creation of a hook-and-line commercial fishery, changes to the process of appointments to the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission and the elimination of the trawl boat fishery.

Members would submit a final report, including legislative proposals, in 2012.

There's no guarantee, even if the Studies Act passes as written, that the Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee will become a reality. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, said committee appointments are solely at the discretion of House and Senate leaders.

"To tell you the truth, the bill is hardly worth the paper it's written on," Owens said last week.

It's not uncommon, Owens said, for the sponsors of controversial legislation to "appease the people that want the legislation by saying, 'We'll study it.' "

"If they don't appoint anybody, it doesn't get studied," Owens said. "If they do appoint a study committee, then I think would be the time to be concerned."

Still, those interested in commercial fishing are watching closely.

Rep. Tim Spear, D-Creswell, said he is concerned about the potential impact of HB353 and similar ideas on the commercial fishing industry. Spear, whose district includes Dare and Hyde counties, said he has spoken to the bill's sponsors. "I don't think they truly understand the impact of what they've asked for," he said.

The commercial fishing industry came under fire earlier this year after large numbers of dead striped bass were dumped back into the ocean by a commercial trawler off the Outer Banks, a spectacle caught on video and posted online by angry sport fishermen. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries said the trawler had to cut its nets whenthey became too heavy to haul in.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 7.1.11 – Best Day of ...

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, July 1, 2011.

This video was shot at the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM…with some bonus footage of a blue fish blitz shot last night at the Luke St. beach access in Kitty Hawk.

Happy July! Can’t believe June is already behind us. We are hitting the heart of the summer with July 4th coming up quickly!

Dare I say that yesterday was the best day of the year so far?! And today is a pretty much an exact replica! Perfect OBX conditions.

Yesterday was ideal. Bright sun, temps in the 80′s, light onshore wind blowing a cool breeze with a fresh salt air smell, the water was an amazing aqua green-blue, crystal clear, and 75 degrees! Doesn’t get much better than that.

It was a great evening on the beach too. As a bonus at the end of this report I included some video of a blue fish blitz that was happening in Kitty Hawk from about 5-6 PM last night. Amazing amount of fish in the water.

Today is starting right where yesterday left off, and this great weather will be with us through the 4th of July holiday. Bright sun, 80 degree temps, warm water, light wind, and a calm ocean.

We have a fun bump in the water this morning. Only about knee to waist high surf, but it’s a fun longboard/SUP wave. These conditions will stick with us through the weekend. The next four days should have fun surf in the morning…small, but fun.

Outer Banks fishing is going strong. As I mentioned above, there was a great blue fish blitz last night, offshore is very consistent with dolphin, tuna, and some bill fish, and the piers, bridges, Sound and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, croaker, flounder, spot, speckled trout, Spanish mackeral, trigger fish, etc. I talked a few guys that went out near shore yesterday, and there was a lot of success with Spanish mackeral and trigger fish. OBX fishing hitting its summer stride!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

Coastal fishing in the Carolinas, from surf, pier, and jetty

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

Field & Stream