Inside Out Outdoors

Well, not really, but these guys fishing off the NC coast got the surprise of a lifetime (for down here at least) - and video to boot - when this 18-foot Great White came swimming right by their boat.  Check out the article from WRAL on this as well as the video below.

-C.B.

During my past weekend's surf fishing trip, we did not have much success.  The fish were just not biting very well.  We did catch one blue fish that was of average size and quite tasty!  I'd like to dedicate this post to explaining the rig that we use.

One of the most common surf fishing rigs is the Double Drop Rig (DD for the sake of simplicity in this post).  The DD rig is quite simple, there are three snap swivels, two of which are for hooks and the last being for a sinker.  These DD rigs can be found at Bass Pro shops here.  They are available in wire or mono configurations.  I've usually found it is good to use the wire as it gives you some added strength against many of the toothy saltwater fish that you are likely to catch while surf fishing. 

The tackle that you need for the rig are some 2/0 hooks and a 5oz pyramid sinker  that works in almost all situations.  Wow, that is a huge sinker!  I've experimented with smaller and this size seems to give you the best cast-ability as well as staying in place in moderate currents and waves.  For extremely wavy conditions or when currents are unusually strong you can try one of these break away sinkers.

I usually use cut mullet when rigging these DD rigs.  Any of these products can be found at your local beach fishing retailer.  Wal-Mart and Bass Pro in Myrtle Beach always have everything I need.  Depending on the location, sometimes your local family owned tackle shop will have the gear you need; however, it has been my experiences that they are sometimes a bit more pricey. On the flip-side, they are usually more conveniently located to your fishing spots.

Also, your local tackle shop will probably have a few tips for you when surf fishing.  Ask the clerk if they have heard what folks are catching.  Usually if the blue fish are running everyone is catching blue fish and they may have some advice as to the time of day and tide (high vs. low) that the fish are biting the best. 

Watch your local weather station to determine when high and low tides are and you can plan your fishing trip around those times to maximize your chances of success.

-Paul Nicolucci

Enjoy solitude?  Ever wonder what lies in remote stretches of water?  Up for a challenge?  Then prepare yourself to practice until you are perfect, fight through tangled brush and get knee deep in water because fly fishing is the just sport for you.

We've all seen, at some time or another, a photo or video of someone effortlessly whipping a fly rod and line above their head, making a perfect cast to the perfect spot.  A smile then appears on the angler's face as a fat hungry trout rises to take the dry fly they precisely landed over it.  It is images like this that inspire many to try their hand at fly fishing, even if they have no idea where to start.  Because of this, we've decided to help clear up the "water" and put together some information into a 3 part series, designed to head you in the right direction.  The intended result?  To make you that angler with the smile on their face.