THE 



CATCH 



SPOT 



Though many consider spot 

 suitable only for the frying pan, it 

 is one of the most popular recre- 

 ational species along the coast. 



In years past, it was especially 

 sought in the fall by eastern North 

 Carolina farm families weary from 

 harvesting their crops. In Septem- 

 ber and October, when the fish 

 migrate to the inlets to spawn, 

 hordes of country folk would head 

 to Kure Beach and other choice 

 fishing sites, stash their suitcases in 

 a motel convenient to the water, 

 and sometimes fish straight 

 through the night. 



Even though spot can be caught at 

 any time of the day, night is the best 

 time to fish for them because they are 

 more active. On a typical night, anglers 

 can reel in enough spot to fill a cooler. 



"The lowly little panfish, the spot, 

 has fed many a hungry mouth in the 

 winter," Bahen says. 



One reason is that the fish are not 

 hard to catch. Folks with little angling 

 experience can buy an inexpensive rod 

 and reel, some bloodworms or shrimp 

 for bait — and settle into the rhythm of 

 pulling spot out of the surf, into the boat 

 or onto the pier. 



The tide of farmers to the coast at 



summer's end has ebbed, but Bahen 

 says some people still keep the tradition 

 alive today. Because spot have no bag 

 limit, fishers can catch their fill. What 

 they don't eat fresh, they can carry back 

 home and freeze for another day when 

 they crave that crispy fried taste of the 

 ocean. 



No matter what you angle for, you 

 should plan ahead to handle your catch. 



Once the fish is out of the water, 

 chill it right away. Bahen recommends 

 an ice slush made by adding a little salt 

 water to a cooler of ice. □ 



Member of sciaenid family 

 Ranges from Delaware Bay 

 to Florida 



Average catch weight: 

 1 to 2 pounds 

 Average catch length: 

 6 to 12 inches 



ANGLING FOR A PRIZE? 



Fishers with a competitive spirit may want to take part in one of these tournaments: 



4th Annual Saltwater • Cape Hatteras Angler's Club • Friendly City by the Sea 



Light Tackle Fishing Club Surf Fishing Tournament 5th Annual Speckled Trout 



Tournament Nov. 5-8 Tournament 



Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Cape Hatteras Angler's Club Nov. 7-8 



Captain Joe's Bait and Tackle in Buxton Casper's Marina in Swansboro 



in Atlantic Beach 9 1 9/995-4253 9 1 9/326-3339 



919/240-2744 



The North Carolina coast offers myriad fertile fishing spots, and Jim Bahen has fished most of them. 

 If you have questions or tips about where and how to make a good catch, give Bahen a call in Wilmington at 910/256-2083. 



COASTWATCH 25 



