THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603210173
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Damon Tatem
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
THE STRIPED bass season in the Albemarle Sound Recreational Harvest Management Area got off to a good start for many anglers.
The area around the Manns Harbor bridge across Croatan Sound was congested March 16 and 17, with lots of anglers trolling and casting bucktails and other artificial lures.
Some experienced anglers found the area very productive, and many boats caught their limits of three fish per fishermen in less than an hour, casting under the bridge.
But some anglers testing the waters on opening weekend were disappointed.
Green hairy worm-type bucktails have continued to be the most productive lures.
White-headed lures seemed to be the most effective during most of the weekend.
The hook-and-line season for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Recreational Harvest Management Area, which opened March 16 at sunrise, will remain open until April 28 unless the harvest allocation is met earlier. The recreational spring harvest allocation is 14,000 pounds.
Anglers can keep three fish per day, measuring no less than 18 inches, but only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
It is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line equipment.
Bluefin tuna fishing continues to have its ups and downs well south of Hatteras Inlet. Fishing was good March 14. Action slowed March 15 and was only mediocre March 16. Fishing improved the following day, with plenty of medium fish landed. Bluefin action was good again March 18, 30 to 35 miles below Hatteras Inlet.
In addition to bluefin tuna, charters and private boats out of Hatteras have landed fair numbers of yellowfin tuna and wahoo. One white marlin, the first of the season, was released by the private boat ``Pardner'' out of Teaches Lair Marina on March 18.
The National Marine Fisheries Service closed the Angling Category fishery for large school and small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna March 17.
Anglers can continue to fish for and land school-sized bluefins measuring 27 inches to less than 47 inches curved fork length. The revised bag limit is one fish per boat per day. Anglers also may continue to fish for bluefins greater than 47 inches under the National Marine Fisheries Service tag-and-release program.
A few charters out of Pirate's Cove Marina and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center fished around ``the point,'' southeast of Oregon Inlet, March 16 and 17. Some good catches of yellowfin tuna were reported, including a 75-pounder landed by the ``Reel Affair'' out of Pirate's Cove. Some wahoo also were taken.
Surf water temperatures along the Hatteras beach have remained cool recently, and reports of recreational fishing puppy drum and gray trout have been reported south of Cape Point during the past few days.
The water temperature at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pier in Duck was 43.5 degrees March 19. Although some bird activity has been reported along the northern beaches, indicating the presence of bait fish, no surf catches have been reported. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Tom Daniel of Manteo, left, a striped bass hooked by fishing partner
Jeff Reams of Oxford in Croatan Sound.
by CNB