FOR THE DAILY SOUTHERNER
Rick Goines
TARBORO —
Cary Wolfe, a Prince William County, Virginia angler might have caught one for the
record books last week. Fishing on the Bada Bing in the Cape Henry, VA area, Wolfe connected on a 74-pound rockfish. The 56-year old X-ray technician, who is an avid hunter and freshwater angler, fought the big striper for 15 thrilling, exciting minutes.
They call the Kentucky Derby the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. My guess is that Cary Wolfe might beg to differ with that assessment.
If certified, and it appears he did everything correctly, his fish would be a new Virginia state record besting by one pound, a 73-pound fish caught 4 years ago. Both the 73-and 74-pounders were caught in the same general vicinity, and at the same time of year.
I’m not Sherlock Holmes, but it sounds like it’s no mystery that those big rockfish are hanging out in Old Virginny this time of year.
Thanks, FEW, (favorite ex-wife) Carol Johnson Miller, for the heads-up on the Virginia rockfish story. Life’s right cheery when your ex-wife is looking out for you, and sending interesting, informative fishing intel. She is the mother of my children, a sweet and special lady, and a good friend, I’m proud to say.
One of our faithful Tight Lines readers, Dennis Knight, posed a question to me. He
wants to catch some winter crappie, but doesn’t know where to go. He pointed out that most decent crappie producing ponds are on private property. Can anyone point my man Dennis in the right direction? Anybody ever heard of a pay-as-you-go crappie pond in Eastern NC? Hey, we might be on to something here. I would pay a few bucks to drop my line in a well-stocked crappie pond. How about you?
Last week I mentioned my Havelock friend, Jerry Jackson, was enjoying some good success catching sailfish on his beautiful boat, Ava D, out of West Palm Beach, Florida.
“Boated” was a poor choice of words for me to use describing his catch. “Boated”
implies caught, kept, and killed. Nay-Nay! Catch & release or live release would have been a more accurate description. JJ is having a large time down there hooking those sailfish on live bait. The real question is whether his pretty wife, Denise, will be able to convince him to come back home to Havelock this winter, and leave all that beautiful Florida sunshine and good fishing? I’m betting on Denise.
Tight Lines reminds you about the February Saltwater Fishing Schools being offered in Wilmington and Morehead City by Fisherman’s Post, Carolina’s Saltwater Newspaper.
The reasonable school tuition might make a nice, unique Valentine’s Day gift. Since the Wilmington school is Feb. 11th, an early V-Day gift would be appropriate. Learn more at www.FishermansPost.com. Click on “Fishing Schools.”
Tar River First Shad Contest: Be the first to present a 2012 Tar River Hickory Shad at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, Main Street, Tarboro, and receive a nice prize package valued at over $300. Sponsors; Jimmy D Custom Made Shad Rigs, Harrell’s Custom Rods & Repair, The Daily Southerner, Greenville Marine & Sport Center Tackle Shop, 33 Grill and Oyster Bar, Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, Marrow-Pitt ACE Home Center, and Tarboro Association of Saltwater Sportsman (TASS) made this contest happen. Give them a big toothy grin, and a thank you. Better yet, give them your business. They deserve it.
Rick’s Soapbox: Recently, I used this forum to fuss about North Korea’s new “great
leader,” Kim Jung-un. I received quite a few positive reactions to my soapbox rant. So, let’s call this one, “Bad Haircut, Part II.”
I have a suggestion. Let’s invite Kim Jung-un, and his entourage of political lackeys
and Generals to visit the USA. We can take his young, impressionable, ample body on a VIP tour of America. Consider it a practical dose of reality orientation, if you will. We can include military bases, air shows, and perhaps even a little sneak peak at our nuclear arsenal. Walk him through a few factories, and war materials industrial plants. Let them see and feel the military might and power of America. He also needs to see a full service grocery store and a fast-food restaurant, so he can experience and appreciate our form of capitalism and consumerism at its very best. His people stand in line for hours hoping to snag a loaf of bread, a cup of rice, and a can of beanie-weenies. I know that’s sarcastic and pitiful, but unfortunately very true. Those poor people are starving.
Then, after his indoctrination, we can send his dusty little overfed, inexperienced
hindquarters back north of the 38th Parallel with the knowledge that the USA still wields a big stick in world politics, and if you mess with America, you are most certainly cruise’n for a bruise’n, to put it in plain down-home country speak.
I will never be an apologist for the military might and strength of America. I believe
in it wholeheartedly. A strong America stays a free America. Past, present, and
future generations have and will pay the expensive dues and tariff on that exclusive membership. Teddy Roosevelt was spot on when he said, “America should always walk softly, but carry a big stick.” Right on, T.R!
Catching fish? Tell us about it. Better yet, send us a picture with all the details. We
love to hear from you at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com.
See you on the water, my friend!
