Fishing Report: From the Sea

Fishing reports are always welcome.

I’ve said it before and, no doubt, will have cause to say it again: If Kentucky had a seashore there’d be no need to go to heaven, because those of us living in the Bluegrass State already would be there.

An ocean is the only thing Kentucky lacks to make it the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. You name it, we’ve got it in spades. It goes without saying that hunting and fishing opportunities abound. And, when it comes to non-consumptive outdoor sports, well: Kentucky has more running water than any other state, including the pre-eminent piece of white water in the lower 48. It has rock climbing equal to anything in the East. There are 2,300 miles of hiking and backpacking trails---including the 259-mile long trail called the Sheltowee Trace.

But, alas, no ocean!

Me, I grew up fishing the briny, particularly the high surf. And I miss it greatly. So, at least once a year (more often if we can swing it), Friend Wife and I head to the Atlantic coast to do some fishing, crabbing, and just poking around in the sand and surf. Before we leave, of course, I've taken the opportunity to gather a fishing report.

For us there is a psychological need to visit the ocean. The fact that it provides our table abundantly is actually gravy.

You might think a trip to the ocean kind of expensive. And I don’t mean to minimize the costs. But the fact is, you can bring back a cooler or two of fish that will provide your seafood needs for the rest of the year. Balance that against the trip costs and it might be a wash. You might even come out a little ahead, give the cost of fish nowadays. Sea Bass, for instance, sells for as much as $24/pound.

When I can’t actually visit the shore in person I do it vicariously. There are several fishing piers that now have “pier cams” installed. A click or two with the computer mouse, and there you are. Maybe I’m just frustrating myself by doing so, by I visit the Avalon Pier, in Kill Devil Hills, at least once a day to see what’s going on. This method is even stronger than an actual fishing report.

I also maintain a circle of correspondents who keep me informed about what’s happening up and down the coast. I find those fishing reports particularly useful now, because June is the second best month to surf and pier fish the Atlantic. Overall, I’d give first place to October.

If, like me, you’re oriented to the ocean, you might be interested in some of what’s happening right now. So here’s a summary of the fishing reports I’ve been getting:

Northeast: Stripers are hitting pretty good from Nantucket, Massachusetts south to Cape May, New Jersey. Croakers and blackfish are also being taken.

Midatlantic: Most of the action in Delaware and Maryland is with bluefish. No monsters, yet, but lots of eating sized fish.

Midsouth: Mostly blues, in Virginia, although stripers and drum are starting to show up, and a very occasional cobia. North Carolina, as usual, is the mixed-bag hotspot, with blues, Spanish mackerel, cobia leading the hit parade, and sea trout starting to show. In South Carolina, Spanish mackerel, sea trout, and whiting are most common right now, with pompano starting to hit.

Florida: They’re still seeing some snook on the west coast. Mangrove snapper, pompano, and sea trout are fairly common.