Outer Banks Angler
This month we shine a spotlight on Jake Worthington, an 18-year old North Carolina angler who fishes several different disciplines in waters off North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Camden, NC, native is a freshman at the College of the Albemarle and has been fishing since he was three, and chasing anything that swims in salt water. Keep an eye out for Jake; given his passion for sportfishing, he’s certain to make headlines with big catches.
Chris$: What was it like to win the Billy Sydnor’s Drum Fishing Tournament?
Jake: Winning the Billy Sydnor tournament was definitely a memorable experience. I fished alongside and against the top (red) drum fishermen in the area. I edged out a good friend and extremely good fisherman by a mere half an inch. Being able to pull that win off meant a lot, especially since I did it with the guys on my home pier, who taught me the fishery standing right at my side.
What are your three favorite fish to catch and why?
My top three fish to catch would have to be red drum, cobia, and dolphin (mahi). Red drums are among my favorites simply because they are the state fish of North Carolina. These big brutes have certainly earned my respect. I caught my first big citation class—40 inches and above—in 2009. But, they had my number for quite a few years from the beach and pier. It wasn’t until 2014 that I finally broke my streak and caught six off the pier one morning. It isn’t as simple as throwing a piece of bait out on the bottom, I can tell you that much!
They are also one of the few fish that when the weather is nasty, they’re chewing. Being able to consistently target them in the prime conditions is what makes them addicting to chase. Red drum also are an extremely hard-fighting fish. There aren’t many fish that can make you sweat when it’s 50 degrees and blowing 20 miles per hour in your face, but a red drum certainly can. Hearing a clicker sound off in the wee hours of the morning is something that is etched into your mind.
Sightfishing for cobia is another favorite of mine. Cobias spend a lot of their life on the bottom of the ocean; in the span of their life they don’t often venture to the surface but we target them when they do. They are voracious feeders and are one of the hardest-fighting fish pound for pound. They even fight you tooth and nail after entering the boat or making it on the pier planks. There is no greater feeling of anticipation than seeing a 70-pound-plus fish one hundred yards away as you steer towards her to pitch a jig.
Dolphins (mahi) are another favorite. Also voracious feeders, they can be targeted and caught a number of ways. I’ve caught quality fish on everything from a jig on eight-pound braid to a foot-long Marlin plug on a 130 wide (reel). They’re a truly beautiful work of nature, especially when they’re on the feed!
Describe your most memorable catch, the fish that got you “hooked” on fishing?
Probably my first dolphin in 2009. It was Memorial Day, and I had never been outside of my home inlet, Oregon Inlet. We pulled up to a grassline after an hour ride. The first two baits to hit the water were almost instantly mauled by two 20-pound class dolphin. We wound up just short of a limit (60 fish) all of which were 10- to 30-pound class fish. A day I would find out is typical for that time of the year. Hot action is what made me fall in love with the sport. The same goes for many others like myself!
Do you have a “go to” reel/rod combo?
I really don’t have any one “go to” because of the many different fisheries I’m exposed to here on the Outer Banks, but if you ever run across me on the Avalon Fishing Pier during the summer, you can bet your bank account my custom Cobia skin-wrapped 1088 Rainshadow paired with a Penn Spinfisher 850ss will be no further than an arm’s length away!
What are a few common mistakes you see anglers make when fighting big fish from the surf or pier?
One would be not letting the fish tire themselves (out). Oftentimes, especially with cobias on the pier, an angler will put a lot of heat on a fish and bring it to the pilings extremely unsatisfied their (cobia) meal was phony. One missed swipe with a pier gaff generally sends the fish into a frenzy and diving into the nearest piling leaving only a memory. The other (mistake anglers make) is not knowing their tackle. I watched a guy hook a nice sized false albacore on a typical jigging setup (2000-3000 class reel filled with eight- to 12-pound braid) and half his spool was dumped. He freaked out, putting his Penn Battle into near lockdown, and ultimately popping the fish off. I’ve caught alberts (nickname for false albacore) up to 20 pounds on my Stradic Ci4 2000, and I have yet to have an albacore empty it. Keeping yourself calm and collected could be factored into that situation as well.
What’s your favorite place to fish?
Cape Point in Buxton, NC. It has been named the Red Drum Capital of the world, and it has the days to prove it. On November 7, 2015, I watched more than 50 red drum caught between 20 anglers in the span of an hour, catching three myself. I’ve heard stories even from this year of better bites than that. It’s also a very good place to sightfish cobia in the boat. The fish will get up on the shoals following rays, turtles and just free swimming. They’re also extremely easy to spot in that clean, clear water off Diamond Shoals.
Any thoughts on how to get more young people involved in sport fishing?
Just getting kids out to fish is one of the toughest chores. Many (kids) play sports and don’t have the time to spend fishing. Using what time they have and getting them out on the hottest action possible has been my ace in the hole.
Do you see yourself in some kind of fishing career, and if so what might that be?
One day I’d like to have my own charter business specifically targeting cobias and red drum as well as occasionally dabbling in the bluewater.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar
Thursday, February 9, 2017 - 12:31
Outer Banks Angler
This month we shine a spotlight on Jake Worthington, an 18-year old North Carolina angler who fishes several different disciplines in waters off North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Camden, NC, native is a freshman at the College of the Albemarle and has been fishing since he was three, and chasing anything that swims in salt water. Keep an eye out for Jake; given his passion for sportfishing, he’s certain to make headlines with big catches.
Chris$: What was it like to win the Billy Sydnor’s Drum Fishing Tournament?
Jake: Winning the Billy Sydnor tournament was definitely a memorable experience. I fished alongside and against the top (red) drum fishermen in the area. I edged out a good friend and extremely good fisherman by a mere half an inch. Being able to pull that win off meant a lot, especially since I did it with the guys on my home pier, who taught me the fishery standing right at my side.
What are your three favorite fish to catch and why?
My top three fish to catch would have to be red drum, cobia, and dolphin (mahi). Red drums are among my favorites simply because they are the state fish of North Carolina. These big brutes have certainly earned my respect. I caught my first big citation class—40 inches and above—in 2009. But, they had my number for quite a few years from the beach and pier. It wasn’t until 2014 that I finally broke my streak and caught six off the pier one morning. It isn’t as simple as throwing a piece of bait out on the bottom, I can tell you that much!
They are also one of the few fish that when the weather is nasty, they’re chewing. Being able to consistently target them in the prime conditions is what makes them addicting to chase. Red drum also are an extremely hard-fighting fish. There aren’t many fish that can make you sweat when it’s 50 degrees and blowing 20 miles per hour in your face, but a red drum certainly can. Hearing a clicker sound off in the wee hours of the morning is something that is etched into your mind.
Sightfishing for cobia is another favorite of mine. Cobias spend a lot of their life on the bottom of the ocean; in the span of their life they don’t often venture to the surface but we target them when they do. They are voracious feeders and are one of the hardest-fighting fish pound for pound. They even fight you tooth and nail after entering the boat or making it on the pier planks. There is no greater feeling of anticipation than seeing a 70-pound-plus fish one hundred yards away as you steer towards her to pitch a jig.
Dolphins (mahi) are another favorite. Also voracious feeders, they can be targeted and caught a number of ways. I’ve caught quality fish on everything from a jig on eight-pound braid to a foot-long Marlin plug on a 130 wide (reel). They’re a truly beautiful work of nature, especially when they’re on the feed!
Describe your most memorable catch, the fish that got you “hooked” on fishing?
Probably my first dolphin in 2009. It was Memorial Day, and I had never been outside of my home inlet, Oregon Inlet. We pulled up to a grassline after an hour ride. The first two baits to hit the water were almost instantly mauled by two 20-pound class dolphin. We wound up just short of a limit (60 fish) all of which were 10- to 30-pound class fish. A day I would find out is typical for that time of the year. Hot action is what made me fall in love with the sport. The same goes for many others like myself!
Do you have a “go to” reel/rod combo?
I really don’t have any one “go to” because of the many different fisheries I’m exposed to here on the Outer Banks, but if you ever run across me on the Avalon Fishing Pier during the summer, you can bet your bank account my custom Cobia skin-wrapped 1088 Rainshadow paired with a Penn Spinfisher 850ss will be no further than an arm’s length away!
What are a few common mistakes you see anglers make when fighting big fish from the surf or pier?
One would be not letting the fish tire themselves (out). Oftentimes, especially with cobias on the pier, an angler will put a lot of heat on a fish and bring it to the pilings extremely unsatisfied their (cobia) meal was phony. One missed swipe with a pier gaff generally sends the fish into a frenzy and diving into the nearest piling leaving only a memory. The other (mistake anglers make) is not knowing their tackle. I watched a guy hook a nice sized false albacore on a typical jigging setup (2000-3000 class reel filled with eight- to 12-pound braid) and half his spool was dumped. He freaked out, putting his Penn Battle into near lockdown, and ultimately popping the fish off. I’ve caught alberts (nickname for false albacore) up to 20 pounds on my Stradic Ci4 2000, and I have yet to have an albacore empty it. Keeping yourself calm and collected could be factored into that situation as well.
What’s your favorite place to fish?
Cape Point in Buxton, NC. It has been named the Red Drum Capital of the world, and it has the days to prove it. On November 7, 2015, I watched more than 50 red drum caught between 20 anglers in the span of an hour, catching three myself. I’ve heard stories even from this year of better bites than that. It’s also a very good place to sightfish cobia in the boat. The fish will get up on the shoals following rays, turtles and just free swimming. They’re also extremely easy to spot in that clean, clear water off Diamond Shoals.
Any thoughts on how to get more young people involved in sport fishing?
Just getting kids out to fish is one of the toughest chores. Many (kids) play sports and don’t have the time to spend fishing. Using what time they have and getting them out on the hottest action possible has been my ace in the hole.
Do you see yourself in some kind of fishing career, and if so what might that be?
One day I’d like to have my own charter business specifically targeting cobias and red drum as well as occasionally dabbling in the bluewater.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar