The most recent thrill for OBX fishing is a great writeup in the outstanding Sport Fishing Magazine, and to add to the thrill for Seaside Vacations, we have some close ties to the article.
The article highlights local charter boat captain Aaron Kelly and his skilled fish hunting abilities. The writer and photographer tagged along with Aaron on a charter trip out of Oregon Inlet on the prowl for cobia, and it goes into detail about Aaron’s skills as a skipper. Needless to say, the day trip was a success with some big cobia catches…and some great photos. The article is a great read for OBX fishing enthusiasts.
And the tie-in to Seaside Vacations? Well, to begin, Aaron and his crew of captains at Rock Solid Fishing are partners for the Outer Banks Fishing 101 Club Seaside event that is offered to Seaside Vacations guests. So we are very proud to have the Rock Solid as a partner, and excited to offer great Outer Banks fishing information to our guests from one of the Outer Banks’ best skippers.
But the article hits home even closer. That dashingly handsome fella holding the giant cobia in the amazing picture below is none other than Seaside Vacations owner Gordon Jones. Nice catch Gordon!…I’m sure Aaron was just there for moral support.
Outer Banks - 1.28.11 - Pretty Day & Fun Surf in Kitty Hawk
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, January 28, 2011.
This video was shot in Kitty Hawk at “Luckie Tides” at 9:30 AM.
Beautiful day. Bright sun, blue skies, and a light west wind at about 10 MPH. The temps will be in the 50′s today, and the sun and warm temps will stay with us for the weekend.
The light west wind is keeping the surf real clean. We’ve had good surf the past couple days. Head high and clean on Wednesday, but the weather was rainy and overcast. Waist to chest yesterday. The swell should be dieing down, but today is bigger than I expected. Still fun waist high waves with some shoulder high sets coming through.
Great fishing still going on. A lot of reports of boats out of Oregon Inlet getting their limit of stripers. The past couple days have been slow because the boats couldn’t get out due to the fog, but they will be back at it today with the great weather. Unfortunately, still no reports of rock catches in the surf…but the year is still young.
I mentioned this on Wednesday, and I’ll probably keep mentioning it until July, but we have some fun fishing news getting attention. A group on FaceBook, Obx Fishing, has taken the initiative to start a movement to set two Guinness World records on the Outer Banks pertaining to fishing. 1. Most people surf fishing at one time and 2. largest fishing tournament. Guinness accepted their application yesterday, and the date is set for Sunday, July 3rd. We hope y’all can get involved…should be a lot of fun. Please keep an eye out for more info to come.
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, January 5, 2011.
This video was shot in Kill Devil Hills at 8:00AM this morning.
Real pretty day. A bit on the chilly side with temps in the mid 30′s but climing to the low 40′s today. However, it’s pretty comfortable because there is almost no wind.
The ocean is flat, flat, flat. No swell, no surf.
The good news is the rock fish are biting! There were 500+ boats out of Oregon Inlet over the weekend, and many of them caught their limit of rock fish. The rock are running from Corolla through Oregon Inlet within about three miles of the beach. Unfortunately, no reports of any catches from the beach.
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, January 3, 2011.
Happy New Year.
This video was shot just south of the Avalon Pier at 5th St. in Kill Devil Hills at 8:30 AM.
Pretty day, but it’s chilly. Bright sun and blue skies, but a stiff wind is coming out of the north at 20 mph. The OBX enjoyed 60 degree temps and no wind to start the new year, but the winds picked up last night, and temps have dropped to the low 40′s. It should be sunny and in the low 40′s most of the week.
No surf to report. There could be a small window of opportunity today for chest high waves, but it won’t clean up until around sunset, and the forecast shows little to no swell all week.
On the bright side, the rock fishing is going off! There are reports from the weekend of 500+ boats launching from Oregon Inlet, and most caught their fill of rock. Police needed to come out to direct traffic and waits to launch were as long as three hours. Rock were caught from Corolla to Oregon Inlet within three miles of the beach. Unfortunately, no reports of catches from the shore.
I’m not sure how this snuck up on us so quickly, but guess what? It’s the holiday season! Thanksgiving is long gone, and Christmas is fast approaching. See ya later 2010!
Seems like a good time to run through some of the holiday fun that can be found on the Outer Banks.
While the OBX is best known for beaches and summer fun, there’s plenty to offer during the holiday season as well.
We’ll start with a few of my fav’s that tend to fly under the radar.
1. The holiday boat parade in Colington Harbor. This one is definitely under the radar. I think there were a total of 10 people there last year…including the 6 with me, but it’s a blast. There’s something special about watching a sailboat with Christmas lights. Colington is tucked away on the West side of Kill Devil Hills…take a right at the Monument and head straight until you hit the guard gate, welcome to Colington Harbor. I can’t find the date for this year, but you may be able to get more info on this site.
2. Kites with Lights at Jockey’s Ridge, hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites. Darn! I just realized we missed this one. I guess they moved it to Thanksgiving weekend this year. Shoot, but I’m including it here anyway so we can all be reminded to mark our calendars for next year…plus, I like this video. Kites and lights are a great combo! :)
3. Ahhhh…last but definitely not least, my fav; the famed Outer Banks Christmas House. The Paulos family has gone all out with Christmas decorations for years, and they invite young and old to take in the spectacle.
The house/light display was voted number one in America in 2005 on the Today Show, and it’s been featured on HGTV! Who knew?! Local celebs right here on the OBX!
Feel free to park your car and wander around the yard to get the full effect and boost your holiday spirit. A night viewing is optimal to get the full effect of the lights.
The time and effort this family puts into their decorations is astounding.
Here’s their FaceBook page if you want some more info or want share your love of their efforts.
Directions: The house is located in Kill Devil Hills near the Nags Head Woods entrance
Heading South on Rt. 158 into Kill Devil Hills
1. Proceed to light at Ocean Acres Dr. (opposite MacDonald’s)
2. Turn right at Ocean Acres Dr.
3. The road will change from paved to gravel as you go up a hill. Just over the top of the hill you will find the Poulos home.
And for some of the more traditional (and “on the beaten path”) options…
December 3 First Friday
Downtown Manteo Waterfront. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented street festival. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, period-dressed actors, a rock climbing wall and much more.firstfriday-roanokeisland.com
December 3 Santa at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come visit with Santa! Free. (252) 475-1750 or roanokeisland.com
December 3 – 4 Town of Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade
Tree Lighting will be December 3rd at 6 p.m. with Santa visiting with the children afterwards at the Maritime Museum at the Creef Davis Boathouse. The parade will be December 4th at 11 a.m. in downtown Manteo.manteo.govoffice.com
December 4 The Jazz before Christmas
Comfort Inn North Oceanfront, Kill Devil Hills. Mix, mingle and celebrate the holidays with jazz! A Semi-Formal Affair Hosted by Gwendolyn Meekins. Performance by Chante Moore. Live Jazz Band. Catering by Basnight’s Lone Cedar. Heavy hors d’oeuvres. One specialty beverage. Full cash bar. Admission: Advance Purchase – $50, Door – $65. For additional information, call: 252-573-1014 or email: GM.Events@live.com. Ticket and Semi-Formal Attire Required for Admission. Please be responsible, DON’T DRINK & DRIVE! Hotel Rooms are available at a discounted rate. $55.00 plus tax (Regular), $70.00 plus tax (Oceanfront). For hotel reservations, call 252-441-6333 and reference “The Jazz before Christmas”.
December 3 – 31 Holiday Show
Dare County Arts Council Gallery, Manteo. Over 500 works of art to fit every budget, including original paintings, pottery, glass, jewelry, fiber, metal, mixed media and wood. darearts.org
December 4 Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour of Homes
Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour of Homes 2 pm til 7 pm. 10-12 houses/Inns. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased the day of the tour at the Dare County Courthouse (located in downtown Manteo) which is also the first stop on the tour. For more information contact Grizelle Fearing at 252-473-7336.
December 4 RIFP Performance Series Christmas at the Park with Elizabeth City State University
7 p.m. Indoor Theatre The performances are free and open to the public. (252) 475-1500, roanokeisland.com December 8 Grand Illumination
Join The Elizabethan Gardens as we kick off ten nights of lights and floral displays at The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, North Carolina. This kick-off event will feature holiday foods and festive drink in the Embellished Hall. Also featured are fire pits on the Great Lawn, where guests can roast marshmallows, drink hot cocoa and be entertained by Dockside Theatre Company and others. On this evening enjoy The Gardens’ Gift Shoppe and plant sales, offering 10% off all merchandise. Friends’ receive an additional 10% off. For the occasion, a special holiday promotion is planned featuring many gifts under $15.00 ~ pre-wrapped and ready to give for Christmas. Garden plant sales will feature winter annuals; ornamental vegetables; forced bulbs; rosemary Christmas Trees; and conifers with bows. Tickets for Illuminations for Non-Members are $14 for adults; $9 for youth (ages 6-17); $6 for children (5 and under). Tickets for Friends’ are $10 for adults; $7 for youth (ages 6-17); $4 for children (5 and under). Groups of 20 or more receive $1.00 off each ticket. Please call The Elizabethan Gardens at 252-473-3234 for more information or visitelizabethangardens.org
December 11 Christmas Past at Island Farm
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. In celebration of Christmas Past at Island Farm, bring your family to learn how Roanoke Island families celebrated Christmas a century and a half ago. Many of the holiday traditions we enjoy today began in the 19th century. A special event at Island Farm on Roanoke Island will bring them to life, 1850s style.
When Adam Etheridge and his family lived on the farm on the island’s North End, there was no electricity. Candles were placed on a freshly cut tree, and their glow made the season bright. The men celebrated by shooting off muskets. Children sang carols and ate cookies while their elders sipped hot mulled wine. It was a time for all families, black and white, to gather with their relatives and to enjoy time away from work. On Dec. 11, Island Farm will host visitors on a guided candlelight tour representing an 1850s Southern Christmas. Gather around a bonfire while muskets are fired to ring in the season. Warm yourself by a crackling fire as you sip a cup of hot wassail, and learn how Christmas traditions began.
The farmhouse will be decorated for the holidays, with flickering wax candles illuminating the Christmas tree. Carolers will sing Yuletide favorites. And costumed interpreters will present vignettes of island life, including the perspective of those who were enslaved.
“Christmas Past at Island Farm is designed to be fun, festive, and educational,” said Jonathan Failor, farm manager. “Why do we decorate trees at Christmas and hang garland on the mantel? How did the tradition of feasting begin? We hope families will make this event a tradition in the years to come.” Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased on the day of the event. Children aged 5 and under are admitted free. Admission is paid at the door, beginning at 5 pm on the day of the event, Saturday, Dec. 11. The farm will close at 8 pm. Island Farm is open weekdays through Nov. 30 for the 2010 season. The Christmas Past celebration is the last event of the year; look for more special events in the spring. For more information, contact Island Farm, 252-473-6500, email:islandfarm252@gmail.com, or visit the website, theislandfarm.com
The news surfaced this morning that a 77 foot fishing vessel Sheila Rene was rescued from being stuck on a Sandbar. The vessel was rescued yesterday afternoon by the Coast Guard. The boat ran aground on a sandbar Friday evening and the passengers/crew were rescued Saturday morning. It is also being reported that the vessel will be returned to the docks of Wanchese this afternoon! A big thanks to the Coast guard for the amazing rescue!
A fun holiday tradition on the Outer Banks; the Holiday Boat Parade in Colington Harbor.
Colington Harbor is a small community on the west side of Kill Devil Hills. The video starts with a still photo of an aerial of Colington pointing out Colington Harbor (also below).
The parade took place over the weekend and lasted about an hour. Boats with lights, and passengers dressed up in the Christmas spirit…even a Santa throwing candy to kids.
Yellowfin tuna catches continue to be outstanding. Limits of fish have been the norm.
Quite a few blackfin have been in the mix.
A wahoo or king mackerel is still a possibility.
Billfish are becoming more scarce.
Along the coast, red drum, bluefish, speckled trout and a possible rockfish will highlight catches. There have been a few good runs of Spanish mackerel.
Pier & Surf:
Catches have been decent, with action provided by croaker, small black drum, sea mullet, bluefish, speckled trout, puppy drum and small striper.
Sound:
Puppy drum, speckled trout and good numbers of small rockfish have been available.
The boat was sunk by a German sub in 1942 during the “Battle of the Atlantic” and has been untouched since.
YP-389 was involved in a 90 minute battle with a German U-boat that led to its demise. The U-boat was sunk two weeks later about 10 miles north.
The “Battle of the Atlantic” refers to the early years of WWII when ships were regularly attacked by German submarines off the East Coast. During this time, 137 allied, German, and merchant vessels were lost along North Carolina. Of the 137 vessels lost, only 40 have been located!
The boat is 325 feet underwater, and it is believed that 5 men may be entombed. The site is protected by federal laws that prohibit the touching or removing of artifacts.
When Adam Etheridge and his family lived on the farm on the island’s North End, there was no electricity. Candles were placed on a freshly cut tree, and their glow made the season bright. The men celebrated by shooting off muskets. Children sang carols and ate cookies while their elders sipped hot mulled wine. It was a time for all families, black and white, to gather with their relatives and to enjoy time away from work. On Dec. 11, Island Farm will host visitors on a guided candlelight tour representing an 1850s Southern Christmas. Gather around a bonfire while muskets are fired to ring in the season. Warm yourself by a crackling fire as you sip a cup of hot wassail, and learn how Christmas traditions began.
NOAA recently announced that 
