256 MARINE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



its protected sounds, bights, and inlets, one can learn and practice all sorts of 

 angling from handlining to surf casting and offshore rod and reel fishing. 

 There is a great deal of fine angling for which no boats are necessary, and 

 much for which small skiffs, with or without guides, may be used. There is 

 also fine fresh-water fishing and hunting near many of the marine grounds. 



Good offshore angling weather averages about three days out of six; the 

 average is higher for inshore and inside waters. 



Although the long, sandy beaches and banks are ideal vacation spots, the 

 present average stay for anglers is from two days to two weeks. Efforts could 

 be made to increase this stay by publicizing the less expensive and less stren- 

 uous methods of angling and featuring this coast as suitable for family 

 vacations. 



A number of small improvements are advisable at the moment: further 

 marking of the wrecks which are a popular haunt of many game fishes; 

 further lighting of channels in which night approach is at present difficult; 

 cutting inlets to give quicker access to the ocean from some already fine 

 harbors; improvement of some of the yacht basins; more facilities for boat 

 repair. 



Mr. W. A. Ellison, Jr., Director of the Institute of Fisheries Research at 

 Morehead City, calls my attention to the Coast and Geodetic Survey Charts 

 No. 1109-A and No. iiio-A. "These are," he writes, "the so-called wreck 

 charts, issued by the Coast and Geodetic Survey which locate and identify 

 each wreck, giving the complete history of the wreck. By means of these 

 charts any competent navigator with an adjusted compass and a knowledge 

 of currents and winds should be able to locate the wrecks without too much 

 trouble. I mention this because I think it is important that the sports fisher- 

 men know about these charts." 



Boats taking anglers offshore should certainly be equipped either with twin 

 engines, ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore radio or, preferably, both. 



Available repair facilities are mentioned under their appropriate sections. 

 There is one, however, which should be spoken of despite its distance inland. 

 This is the yacht basin now under improvement at New Bern, which will be 

 a convenience for those who have to go into the shipyard for repair work. 



BOATS 



There are few dock charges and when they exist they average three cents 

 per foot per day; less after one month. 



The bulk of angling boats in the State are primarily commercials, available 

 to anglers in off season or on single days when they happen to be free. The 

 uncertainty of this arrangement is irritating to prospective anglers. Because 

 of it, and because of the fact that it is basically due to unpredictable natural 



