Silflay Hraka

Just spent a few minutes looking at archived fishing reports via Tradewinds. They have them back to 2002. Very interesting as it seems April is just as good if not better than October for the drum. Good times have ranged from 1st week to last week of April. It also looked like the drum bite happened during the day as well as night. The blue fish were also much bigger going up to 10+ lbs. Also checked on the houses. OI has a “off” season and “fall” season. Off season runs end of Oct to 4/29 (varies depending on house though). Off season rates are about 25 to 35% less than fall rates. Checked out Blue Heron prices (house we stayed @ in 2003 & 2004). Rate for a week in April, 2006 is $800. Fall rate for 2006 will be $1240. That’s a nice savings. Just something to think about. Hell, why don’t we get a Spring AND Fall trip! However, the availability of house in Spring is probably another story though!!

First the good news: Cathy and I are expecting our 3rd child sometime in September. Now the bad news: Definitely will not be making the fall FDS trip to Ocracoke this year. As we’ll have a newborn and 2 others, I’ll need to be around the house to help out. Not going to even put up a fight this time around. However, I think I can get away for a few days in April and try and get the drum as they come back into the inlets & sound. No dates set. If the numbers are there, might get a house if we need it. Hopefully, I can get a few of you to make it down for a long weekend or something. Anybody interested try and let me know asap and we can start working on some dates. We can still get a house for “off season” rates like we do in October. Actually, based on past history, the drum fishing is about the same in Spring as Fall. Have a good 2006!!