FORECAST BY: Capt. Troy Pate
James Joyce II
Phone: 252-917-0445
www.moreheadcitycharter.com
COLD! That is the operative word for February. The offshore action around Morehead City is pretty slow this time of year and there are very few folks out there IF you plan to go, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty “to do” this month.
There can still be some action offshore if and when a favorable chunk of water moves into the area and the weather allows you to get out there to it. Many of my friends and I have been out there in February and have all come back with mixed results…hey – it’s fishing, what else would you expect? If you go, just find the best temp break available over good bottom, look for bait and run your normal spread – if the fish are there they will bite, otherwise it’s a long cold ride home. There may be some giant bluefin tuna around closer to shore if you want to find out how much your tackle and you can take physically, and there will be some bottom fishing opportunities if you want to find something to bend a rod and put some meat in the freezer.
The majority of the fleet here will be working on our boats and gear. Now is the time to place your bait order for the year, get that bad guide on your rod repaired and have your reels serviced and respooled. Do it now while the shops have some free time instead of dropping it all off in late April and then getting upset with the guys because they can’t get it all done and back to you in a week! Also, go ahead and schedule any required work at the boat yard.
I spend February getting my interior projects done – cleaning, varnish work, repairs, tracking down electrical gremlins, etc. It’s a great time to check and or replace any worn bilge pumps and float switches, high water alarms and other critical parts. My raft will go in for service and I go through all my other safety gear. My best advice is to make yourself an annual list to go by. I have one I created which covers all my main items. I have a checklist which forces me to check all safety gear (flares, survival suits, pfd’s), licenses, permits, anything with an expiration date – and then fill out the sheet. Once I get it done I put it in the big book I keep aboard with all my important information – the same book I pull out if/when the USCG decides they want to do a courtesy inspection, makes life SO much easier! I will plan my exterior work starting late February – painting, polishing metal, staining salon doors, waxing the hull and topsides, polishing curtains. If we need a haul out, I like to get it done in late February or early March so I am back in my slip and ready, for whenever spring fishing busts loose.
All this to say, there can still be some fishing offshore in February but many things need to fall into place to have that great day we all look for. Spend your
downtime getting ready for the upcoming season. Go through your gear, complete required maintenance, set up your spring boat wax with a good detailer (I happen
to know a great one if you need them!), go ahead and start working on some rigs for the season. Be proactive – get everything ready, that way you can spend all your energy enjoying the fishing season instead of constantly trying to catch up and worrying if that neglected maintenance issue is going to break you down in the heart of prime fishing. Be prepared, get out there and have fun!