One Fish, Two Fish

It’s drum season here on Hatteras Island. It’s probably one of the most exciting times of the year for anglers, who come from all over to brave the ever-changing April weather for a chance to land one of these big – and tasty – fish.

It’s also tournament time again. There are usually two times of the year that we see the tournaments at the beach. The fall – think October and November – and then again in the spring. As those of you who read “Hooked on You” learned, tournaments are big business. Not only are the anglers renting motel rooms or cottages, but also, they are shopping in the grocery stores, eating out at the newly-opened-for-the season restaurants, and buying lots of gear at tackle shops.

Every angler (and notice that I don’t say fishermen or women as there are plenty of both so angler is the all-encompassing term) has a specific idea about which rods, what reels, and the type of bait to use. If the water happens to be clear, there are plenty of lures to choose from. If the water is cloudy, or “drummy” as they say, then usually there will be a switch to bait like mullet or menhaden.

I saw a photo just a few days ago of the Point, that famous cape on Hatteras where the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current collide. The waves were crashing and the white water and foam were flying. But so were the lines of literally hundreds of anglers out there. From what I read, their efforts were rewarded, and plenty of drum were caught. No doubt the fish stories were flying that night. It’s all part of the camaraderie that makes up a fishing trip to the Outer Banks.

This weekend there will be a big tournament, the 4 Plus 4WD. There are categories and prizes – it’s one of the tournaments I used as inspiration when I was writing about Jenni’s escapades. No doubt that for some individuals, fishing in a tournament is a bit of fun, but for most folks it’s serious business. There’s the travel time involved, the entry fees, and then the challenge of setting up on the sand and casting for hours on end. If there’s a big run, it can be frantic and rewarding. But many times, it’s hours of nothing. That’s when a real love of just being in the moment can be an angler’s best friend.

I have to admit I am not a big angler. But I have fished. And when you feel that rod bend, and you realize you have something on the line it is truly exhilarating. For the most part my catches from the surf have been blow toads or sand sharks or rays, all of which go back in the ocean. I have caught a few mullet and some other small fish, but never a big one from the surf.

The reality is that you’ll never catch a fish staying at home thinking about it. But some of the largest fish are taken when the weather is the absolute worst, which is not my idea of fun. But I do enjoy seeing when someone does hook into a big one. For visitors it becomes the story of their vacation, or tournament. Those memories last a lifetime, and it’s why people return again and again to Hatteras Island to fish.

And for some folks, it really isn’t about whether or not they catch a fish. It’s about being out in the salt air, in a beautiful place, watching and listening as the waves rolls onto the shoreline and the birds soar above them. It can be therapeutic, mesmerizing, calming, and exhilarating all at the same time. It’s why fishing is so popular, and why Hatteras, with its perfect combination of sun, sea, sand and surf, attracts of thousands of anglers each year.

The next time you’re here, give it a try. It might not end up being a passion, but at least you can say you’ve done something that’s on plenty of bucket lists – casting into the surf on the Outer Banks.

Photo Courtesy of Kim Mosher and Kim Mosher Designs. For more information on her shirts and colorful designs, visit her Facebook page.