THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408040252
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 50 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Ford Reid
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Especially this time of year, when the worst of the summer doldrums have set in, it is important to remember that not all of the fish are in the ocean.
On the other side of the road, the sounds present fine fishing opportunities.
The best way to fish the sounds is from a boat. You can find the shoals and the holes that attract and hold fish and fill a cooler in no time.
But it ought to be said here that what mariners call ``local knowledge'' is important to anyone taking a small craft onto the sounds.
For starters, the water in the sounds is relatively shallow. That means that when a storm kicks up - and sometimes in August that happens almost every afternoon - the seas kick up, too.
It should be remembered, too, that the sounds are big. If you do not pay attention to compass headings and land marks, it is easy to get disoriented or even lost.
But with some hunting around, you can find many places where fish feed and with reasonable precautions you can have a fun and safe trip.
If you are without a boat, it is still possible to fish the sounds, especially the Pamlico. There are a number of places along the western side of Hatteras Island where you can walk to the edge of the water and cast a line.
Even in the shallow water close to shore, you will find fish feeding. I have caught flounder, croaker and nice puppy drum tossing bait from the sound side sand.
Another alternative is to wade into deeper water. This, however, ought to be done with caution as there are hazards aplenty out there.
Orphaned crab pots, discarded bed springs, broken bottles and oyster shells lie in wait, hoping to find an unprotected foot to attack.
Add to that the fishing-holding holes that you seek. Find one casting and you might hook a few speckled trout. Find one walking and you'll likely find yourself in water to your neck, or above, before you know it.
Wade with someone else so that if one of you gets in trouble the other can come to the rescue.
Wear some kind of foot gear. A pair of old sneakers will do; shoes designed for wading are even better.
I prefer long pants as a guard against stinging jelly fish. Very light weight trousers of a material that won't absorb much water are ideal.
Once you get out there, stop every now and then and cast in a broad arc. I try to cover about 200 degrees, 20 degrees at a time. Each of those casts should be carefully worked all the way back.
Try different lures, including Hopkins types, bucktails and Mirolures.
If you find a hole that holds speckled trout, you will know it.
This is a fine time to practice catch and release. You could carry a stringer or some sort of bag to hold your catch.
But why not release them. Well, maybe keep just the last one for supper. by CNB