Volume 14 Number 8 - August 2007

FEATURES:

	2007 Deer Season Preview Will North Carolina deer hunters experience another record-setting year? The state’s experts give their thoughts. So what can Tar Heel hunters expect for the 2007 white-tailed deer season — more bucks, more does, better quality deer? ... Craig Holt

	Billfish Primer Where and when should you try to catch an Atlantic billfish off the N.C. coast? Here’s the advice of some of the state’s expert captains. Six billfishes swim in North Carolina waters — Atlantic sailfish, white marlin, Atlantic blue marlin, shortbill spearfish, longbill spearfish, and swordfish. Our most common species are sailfish and white marlin. ... Bob Goldstein

	Carolina Crankin’ Kings Tar Heel luremakers and bass pros popularized the sport’s most effective deep-water lures and techniques to use them. In the North Carolina county of Davidson, the welcoming signs rightfully could say “Welcome to Crankbait Country.” Along with Tar Heel, Blue Devil, Wolfpack and Demon Deacon fans, central N.C. is crankbait territory, a watery ... Tim Tucker

	Made in the Shade Swansboro sheepshead anglers find a comfort zone and cool fishing under bridges that never are too far. Capt. Jeff Cronk is one of the most energetic fishermen along the coast of North Carolina. A high school math teacher, he still finds a way to take clients fishing more than 120 days per year. He guides evenings, weekends and ... Mike Marsh

	Morehead’s Multiple Mahi Small-boat anglers have fun with dolphin off the Crystal Coast while gathering much-needed information. When most fishermen daydream of dragging in dolphin, they typically conjure: • Towering offshore hulls with Carolina-style flared bows deploying spider webs of lines from out-riggers stretching outward above their gunwales; Mike Marsh

	Paint ‘em Black Different drum give anglers good-eatin’ reasons to try bay waters north of Bald Head Island during August. During August at the southeastern N.C. coast, the heat’s usually so intense people don’t bother stopping at cafes for breakfast; they just scoop up fried eggs off the sidewalks. The humidity’s also likely to be so high gnats and mosquitos surf down ... Craig Holt

	Putting the Bite on Jaws If you like instant action tinged with a little danger, try shark fishing behind a shrimp boat. “I already ran over and took a quick look to be sure there were still some shrimpers out — and there were,” Capt Matt Wirt said aboard his Sea Chaser bay boat a sunny August morning last year. ... Jerry Dilsaver

	Star-Kissed Catfish During August nights, the Cape Fear weaves a magic web of peaceful slumber for some and river giants waiting to be caught for others. The Cape Fear River lowlands become unbearably hot each summer. It doesn’t help that the riverbanks are high and steep, blocking all but the strongest winds from giving relief from an overhead sun and humidity hovering near 100 ... Mike Marsh