On Tuesday, April 2. 2024, I had the pleasure of taking Charlie and his son Ethan out to Ft. Fisher for a surf fishing excursion. WIND was the word for the day with SW winds at 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts. This gave us the chance to learn some techniques for reading the beach, holding the bottom in windy conditions with Moving water, casting, and rig tying. We also discussed some of the history surrounding the Fort and its significance during the Civil War. Despite the gusting winds, Charlie hooked and landed a nice Cownosed Ray. It fought more like a fish than a ray, taking Charlie up and down the beach several times before it was landed and released. Between Charlie's skills in adjusting the drag on a 4500 Daiwa Eliminator reel paired with a Carolina Cast Pro CPS Gen 3, 11 foot surf rod rated for 3-6 oz. lure weight, the ray didn't have a chance. The Sinker Guy sputnik sinkers saved the day, helping us to hold bottom in very fast-moving water and the wind. While the fish didn't cooperate today, Charlie and Ethan made some memories, learned some valuable techniques for fishing in the wind, using the incoming waves to help land a heavy fish (ray) and Ethan learned the mechanics of "loading" up a surf rod and sending the bait! Once this cold front moves through and the water and weather settle down, the fishing will start to get hot. The first pompano should start to arrive later this month and greater numbers through the spring, sumner, and into the fall. We should also see a rapid uptick in Red Drum, Black Drum, and Sea Mullet catches as the water warms. Plenty of dates remain available.....for a limited time, book a surf fishing trip with Coastal Life Outfitters in 2024 at 2023 prices. Tight lines, my friends!