Planning trip to Harkers Island

[bowtoot]

Well guys, I am finally planning a trip to the salt water in two weeks. We will be staying at Calico Jacks and fishing and playing inshore. I am really looking forward to it but a little anxious. Although I have fished and been in saltwater off and on over the years, this is my first trip on my boat. I am looking for some pointers from you more experienced boaters who frequent the area. I have looked at the anchoring posts and searched for Cape Lookout and Harkers Island to gain knowledge. My boat is a 1992 2180 with a Tohatsu 90. Let me have it.*yay*

[lakebiker]

Well guys, I am finally planning a trip to the salt water in two weeks. We will be staying at Calico Jacks and fishing and playing inshore. I am really looking forward to it but a little anxious. Although I have fished and been in saltwater off and on over the years, this is my first trip on my boat. I am looking for some pointers from you more experienced boaters who frequent the area. I have looked at the anchoring posts and searched for Cape Lookout and Harkers Island to gain knowledge. My boat is a 1992 2180 with a Tohatsu 90. Let me have it.*yay*

Don't ever believe any chart for that place. Be prepard to run aground. Try your best to stay in the "waterway". Take plenty of 100% deet. Make contact with 1st Sarge if you can. Have fun, that's the best part.

[Shakespeare]

Ditto! You may want to follow a few boats through the channels before you go full tilt... especially around low tide. The place should be renamed Sandbar City. *clonk* Other than that, you'll have a ball. Lots of marshes to explore and some good fishing too. *Cheers*

[bowtoot]

I don't mind going slow and taking it easy. I am so looking forward to this trip.

[AlmostAmos]

1. Channel 16
2. Mayday Mayday Mayday

You'll be fine - just watch other people. Flush your engine daily if possible.

[wjsmith82]

No problem in your boat! Watch the buoys and follow the ferry out to Cape Lookout on your first trip. There are a couple of "s" turns that you don't want to cut off. Bring water sox just in case and observe the water for depth.

What are the days you will be down there? I am leaving Chapel Hill on August 14th. and staying through the 16th. at Calico Jacks.

If you want to get a beer before you go, I am more than happy to meet you in Hillsborough or Chapel Hill to chat. Also, send Sgt. Dave a PM to get info on this area.

Bill

[bowtoot]

Hey Bill,
We are going down on the morning of the 13th. We plan to stay to Saturday night or Sunday morning. I look forward to seeing you and talking a bit. We plan to do some fishing (alot hopefully) and going to see the lighthouse and looking for shells. My son and I are sharing this trip with my wife and daugther so I think it will be alot of fun. I just want them to have a great time so they will want to come back.

[Dave]

You're in luck then BT, hook up with Bill... he's been staying at CJ's and fishing that area a bunch this spring and summer *thumbsup* Stick with the main channel to and from the Cape until he can show you around some. Speaking of the main channel, on your first trip out, (even in the main channel) either follow another boat or be on the lookout for switchbacks in the channel. IOW, don't have your blinders on and just forge strait ahead looking at (what appears) to be the next day marker. Look well right and left as you approach and pass each marker or buoy to see that there is, or is not, a marker to the far right or left, to be sure you stay in the channel. Some of those markers are a fair piece apart so be sure and look to your back to see that you are not drifting (as you run) from one marker to the other... some channel lanes don't leave much room for a wayward drift into shallow water. Use your GPS tracking system if you have one and save the routes you want to use again... but don't trust then if there has been a significant storm with high winds move through the area since you last used that route *thumbsup*

Here is some basic knowledge about tidal changes in our area, to help you plan your trips into unknown territory. If you consider them, along with the time of day you choose to do your exploring, you should be better able to make planning decisions on your trips and what to do if you do get stuck on the beach.

1) Generally speaking, the tide moves for about 2 hours, rests for about 2 hours, and begins to move (in the opposite direction) again, taking about 2 more hours to reach a full tide change... approximately 6 hours between tide changes. IOW's, if it is dead low tide now, it will be full high tide in about 6 hours.

2) The tides move forward about 1 hour each day... so, if it was low tide at noon today, it will be low tide at approximately 1 PM the following day. Tip: If you find and catch fish today at a certain time, there's a very good chance (barring a significant change in the wind and/or weather condition) you will find those fish feeding one hour later the following day, in that same general area.

As you've gathered by all the (sand bar) warnings, there are plenty of large and small sand bars for the girls to stroll or wade while looking for shells, sharks teeth, etc. I would recommend you do this only in hard (sand) bottom areas. Soft bottoms (especially) are prone to having hidden (razor sharp) oyster shells (and who knows what) just under the surface, which can turn a nice trip into a very, very bad experience. Soft sole shoes are not great protection from oyster, by the way. Even in hard sand bottom, I would recommend folks (unfamiliar with the bottom or the wading experience) wear some sort of footwear... crocks, tennis shoes, etc... save the barefoot going for the dry beaches or when up on a wet (but not underwater) sand bar.

Have a good time, and most of all, be prepared to get grounded... it's gonna happen so plan for it. Go slow when you are off the beaten path and do so on a low but rising tide, and give prior consideration to who is prepared to get out of the boat and push if needed, and who will run the boat if you have to be one of them. Remember too, if you get out, you have to be able to get back in ;D Take along extra drinks and snacks (and smokes for the smokers) so that you will have something to drink and snack on while y'all relax and wait for a favorable tide.

Considering these skinny water exploring basics, just get out there and have some fun, catch some fish, find some interesting shells, and try to enjoy as much of the experiences our Crystal Coast islands and beaches have to offer *Cheers*
Dave

PS - If you haven't already, download and install GoogleEarth if you can. Spend some time (before your trip) zooming in and out and panning to explore the waterways, islands, beaches, to help you learn the overall general lay of the land in the Harker's Island, Cape Lookout and nearby surrounding areas.

[TooTall]

When you go over the bridge to the island there is alittle boat basin on the right. Look for the local draggers working on their boats. Say hello to one of those guys, hand them a beer. Say" she looks pretty good, what's in it(motor)? WHAT KIND OF WATER DOES SHE DRAW?"then say" it looks like you could skip bottom around here a lot" Then stand back for a long story.
Dad called this shooting the sh$t or shooting the breeze. talk about the days the shrimp ran thick or anything about their industry; commercial fishing, that is, after awhile direct the conversation to fishing around there and you will surprised what you will hear.*003*

There is a guy who builds 24' thru 30' boats with the classic flare bow in a metal building back near the bay side behind the village hall somewhere. I think he is the only guy left....ask around.... go over to the building. rub your hand over the bow flare in eye shot of somebody who works there. when spoken to say " I love the way this classic carolina bow flare cuts a wave" Your in!!!!talk a little, then ask about the water and fishing.*thumbsup**thumbsup*

Charlie's way to find the spots!