ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: OUTDOORS
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
North Carolina's Cape Hatteras is known for its storms - the region isn't called ``Graveyard of the Atlantic'' for nothing - but this time the noise is coming from a different kind of storm.
The past few seasons, outstanding winter fishing for burly bluefin tuna off Hatteras has had the sport fishing world in a whirlwind.
We say ``world'' because fishermen from as far away as Europe and Asia have been showing up to battle tuna that can weigh 500 pounds or more.
The fishery is so new that there was some apprehension earlier this month over whether or not the big fish would show up. They did. Now that they have, look for them to stick around into April.
Jerry McLaughorn of Roanoke was one of the first sport fishermen to tangle with tuna this season. He landed fish estimated to weigh 225 pounds and more than 300 pounds.
``You have a 20- to 30-minute fight of all you want on your hands,'' he said. ``If that's not world-class fishing, I don't know what would be.''
All but one fish that McLaughorn and his party caught were too big to keep. Everything over 73 inches must be released. His group got a 180-pounder that was a keeper. The biggest fish of the trip was estimated to weigh more than 400 pounds. In most cases, releases occur when the mono leader on a big fish is clipped.
``Two years ago, we believe we had fish hooked that would weigh 1,000 pounds,'' said Bob Eakes, who operates the Red Drum Tackle Shop in Buxton.
``Most of the fish now are weighing 250 to 350 pounds,'' he said Wednesday. ``It is wide open and going strong. There are just all you want to catch, if you get to go fishing.''
The ``if'' can be a big one. Winter weather is a major factor. Heavy seas can keep the fleet of charter boats moored three days out of four. Most anglers are booking several days at a time with the hope one of them will offer favorable fishing.
The charter fleet has been swelling. Eakes estimates there are 50 to 60 charters working the fishery. Boats from Oregon Inlet, in Nags Head, have joined the Hatteras fleet. McLaughorn was aboard Capt. Richie Howell's Gannet, out of Oregon Inlet.
The fish and the fishing fleet aren't the only big factors about this tuna blitz. The going charter boat rate is $1,000. Figure about $1,250 by the time you've tipped the mate and taken care of your catch, said McLaughorn.
The winter fishery began in earnest about four seasons ago. No telling how many eons the tuna have wintered off Hatteras before they were discovered. For certain, the tuna have provided a late-winter fishery along the southern sliver of the Outer Banks where there had been none.
Saltwater Fishing Magazine has called it ``truly one of the hottest big-game fisheries in the world right now.''
This winter, the tuna aren't the only show in town. Big striped bass have been bowing the rods of anglers fishing at Cape Point.
``It is nice to see a winter fishery around here,'' said Eakes. Some of the stores, restaurants and motels that once were boarded up this time of the year are remaining open.
``Before this, I would have been laid back watching videos,'' said Eakes.
Videos still come in handy when the wind is howling and the boats are tugging at their mooring lines. But when the seas calm, the battle between anglers and tuna is on.
PHILPOTT BASS: Fishermen skillful at jigging a Hopkins lure have been savoring productive bass fishing at Philpott Lake. Successful fishermen have been recording three to nine bass per boat.
Claytor Lake has been yielding some nice smallmouth and striped bass, including one 18-pound, 14-ounce striper. Smith Mountain anglers who know how to fish deep with Hopkins and jigs have been hooking striped bass.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB