Grouper Fishing Tips

GROUPER

Grouper is a kind of sea bass that you can fish for in tropical or sub tropical water areas. Here, in New Bern, we like to go out to the Neuse area to fish for grouper. Grouper is a great eat and a fun catch!!

Here are a few tips when it comes to Grouper

1. Always make sure to put a good amount of weight on your line, especially when you are fishing in deeper water like the Neuse. This is so important because you want to keep the lines as tight as possible so there are no chances for tangles and you can get them in the strike zone.

2. Use live bait and make sure to hook it dead in the center of the bait. This is so you get no spin.

3. Try to find a nice reef to fish off of. 

4. It is important to always have your belt on. Be ready for this massive fish!

5. I always say to make sure you have a Seaqualizer on the boat. Release all the Grouper you are not going to use. I preferably like grouper much better fresh. Grouper is a fish I don't usually like to freeze. 

Remember these tips and enjoy your fishing trip for Grouper in the Neuse!!!

DIY Coastal Decorating

Driftwood Decor

Drift wood can really bring a coastal touch to any room in your home. I love using drift wood as books ends on my shelves. An easy drift wood favorite is a chandelier. 

What you will need:

large mass of drift wood, 2 foot of clear Christmas lights or rope lights and thick medal pot hangers (found at  any local appliance store)

Steps: Simply wrap the clear lights all around the drift woods, going in and out of all the loops and letting it hang some. Then attach the metal hangers. You can hang it anywhere. I have one hanging in my gazebo in New Bern. It makes the perfect outdoor lighting if you have an outlet outside. It's EASY and BEACHY ELEGANT! 

Another great way to use driftwood is to attach hooks to a long piece. Then by attaching it to the wall you have a great coastal piece to hang your articles on!

Starfish Mirror

At any local pottery store or michaels you can find already bleached or colored starfish. I love to decorate using starfish all the time! I found a regular mirror for $5 at a thrift shop. Then I simply hot glued starfish all around the edges. It looks great in a beach bathroom or on any wall in your house!

More Coastal Decorating to come! :)

Core Banks Camping

My favorite place on the coast to go camping is the Core Banks. My family and I spend weeks and weekend trips out there as soon as the weather gets warm. It is located along the barrier islands of North Carolina. 

One or two of us usually make a trip over with the boat. That way we can have the boat there all week to be able to fish off of it and go adventuring in the waters around. The rest of us load up with supplies and catch the ferry over. This way we can bring more supplies that the boat wouldn't hold. 

You can camp at the Core Banks with a tent or rent a cabin. We usually rent a cabin out there because they are more spacious and allow us to have a sink. The cabins do not have A/C so I recommend bringing a few fans to keep it cool throughout the night. 

The Core Banks is such a nice place to take a family outing or go camping because it is somewhat isolated and secluded. It makes such a nice trip in nature when it is so seldom inhibited and untouched. The water here is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy fishing, star gazing and water side fun!!!