What a beautiful day on Ocracoke!! The picture above shows what the beach looks like today. The sun is shining, the temperature is in the 60's and it is just a little breezy but not windy. A great beach day!!

For the past few days beach fishermen have been catching a lot of decent sized bluefish. I saw a picture on the Tradewinds website (www.fishtradewinds.com) of a lady holding the head of a flounder. The rest of the flounder had been bitten off by a bluefish. Fresh out of the water bluefish are delicious to eat but watch out for those razor sharp teeth.

          


Today is registration day for the 25th Annual Ocracoke Island Surf Fishing Tournament. Approximately 65 teams (give or take 1 or 2) will be fishing on the beach for the next 2 days. They will be fishing for points in various categories. The team with the most points wins the tournament but there are other categories where prizes will be awarded...Top Female Team, Most Fish, Largest Fish and more. Prizes include trophies donated by different Outer Banks businesses and tackle donated by various companies supporting the tournament.

The tournament participants will be treated to a kick off gathering at Howard's Pub tonight with the Embers. Tomorrow night DJ Buster Nunemaker will be at the Pub. On Friday there will be a pig picking and awards party at the Community Center followed by an After Party with DJ Buster Nunemaker.

                            


There are only 2 days of fishing but it seems like most years bad weather knocks out at least a half or a full day. This year, if the forecast holds true, it looks like they might actually get to fish both full days. Good Luck, Anglers! Have a great time!

                                    

One more item of interest...Ocracoke now has a self-serve ice machine located on the corner of Trent Drive and O'Neal Drive. (You can't miss it!) You can get a 20 pound bag or 24 pounds bulk for $2.50. You must have your own container for the bulk ice. You just put your money in, make your selection and out comes your ice. If you have any problems there's a help number you can call. I have been assured by the owner that most problems can be fixed by phone because the machine is computerized. Plus, the owner lives on site. What will they think of next?

             

Have a great day!