Volume 19 Number 1 - January 2012

FEATURES:

	Alabama rig explores new bassin’ territory Spinoff of ‘umbrella rig’ is a hit with fishermen targeting largemouth bass Since bass pro Paul Elias won a national bass tournament in Alabama a few months ago with a revolutionary freshwater fishing lure, the “Alabama rig” has attracted extreme attention from bass fishermen across the nation. ... Craig Holt

	Code Red Winter! Anglers can defeat January’s fishing doldrums by taking on red drum around Harkers Island It was evident from the start of the cold January morning at the public ramp next to the Harkers Island Bridge that Bryan Goodwin probably was an extraordinary saltwater fishing guide. ... Craig Holt

	Feelin’ Blue? Outlook for Atlantic bluefin tuna is mixed, but a huge group of fish is about to reach spawning age. You can almost hear North Carolina fishermen cheering. Commercial fishermen pursue bluefin tuna in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Bringing as much as $100 per pound at wholesale auctions, they represent the gold bar, the dollar and the euro rolled into one. ... Bob Goldstein

	Go Hog Wild! Brunswick, Columbus County hunters have plenty of opportunities to bring home the bacon. Jason James of Bolivia and his hunting partner, Sam Smith of Wilmington, climbed out of their vehicles and felt the sting of sleet against their cheeks. Deer season had recently ended, but they still had a strong desire to hunt, so despite the ... Mike Marsh

	Lake of the Month: Lake Wylie The weather might be cold, but this Duke Power reservoir produces some red-hot fishing for bass, crappie and catfish. Rarely do fishermen discuss Lake Wylie in the same revered terms used for other reservoirs in the Carolinas: Kerr (Buggs Island), Jordan, Santee Cooper, Clarks Hill. ... Dan Kibler

	Rabbit habitat ‘The Quarter’ at Saxapahaw provides plenty of fun after deer season ends. Alston Quarter is a wild section of land — a half-mile by a half-mile — in Alamance County known to locals as “Austin Quarter” that’s been called “The Quarter” since the 1700s. ... Craig Holt

	Yakking for Swamp Quackers Low-lying swamps, backwaters around Brunswick County’s Town Creek are Ground Zero for paddling up some woodies. Suddenly, the low, waking-up buzz of the swamp along Town Creek was pierced by the high-pitched squeal of a wood duck. It announced a trio strafing the decoys with all intentions of landing. ... Jerry Dilsaver