Unconventional Fishing Methods

Maddison Dunton and Tyler Blankenship

Cast Netting

Net used to catch small bait fish

and shrimp
Used in shallow water
Circular at the bottom
Different sizes
Bigger nets take more skill to throw

Picture 1: Cast Net Throw. Source:

castnets.com

Picture 2: Diagram of a Cast Net. Source:

meatsandsausages.com

Clam Raking

Clams burrow about 2-4 inches

under the sand
Clam beds are along the shoreline
(depending on tides)
Using a rake is the easiest method
to collect clams
When the rake finds the clams, it
sounds like the rake is scraping
concrete

Picture 3: Clam Rake. Source:

groundupgourmet.com

Picture 4: Types of Clam Shows. Source: wdfw.wa.

gov

Crabbing with Chicken Legs

Chicken legs are used as bait

Most popular crabs eaten on the
East Coast are Blue Crabs
Crabs can be found underneath
piers
Drop down the chicken leg using
string
Wait till there's bites
Pull up the string

Picture 5: Crabbing with Chicken Legs.

Source: allisonfrost.com

Picture 6: Crabbing string and chicken legs.

Source: ediblehouston.ediblefeast.com

Crabbing with Pots

Baited with fish scraps

Placed on the ocean floor
Keeps crabs alive until the are
harvested
More environmentally friendly than
mobile commercial fishing gear like
trawls

Picture 7: Crab Pot. Source:

vims.edu

Picture 8: Commercial Crab Pots. Source: uploda.

wikimedia.org

Flounder Gigging

Done at night during the summer

which is flounder season
During low tide, flounder come up
to the marsh grass to feed
Walk along the marsh grass with
lights to spot the flounder
Measure the flounder (must be at
least 15 inches in NC)
Gig the flounder
Put the flounder in the floating sled

Picture 9: A Guy Flounder Gigging.

Source: nightstalkergquideservice.com

Picture 10: Flounder being gigged. Source:

northcarolinasportsman.com

seine netting

Small meshed net

Suspended vertically in the water
Used in shallow water
Two or more people walk along the
shoreline dragging the net across
the bottom
Used to surround the fish and drag
them to shore

Picture 11: Seine Netting. Source:

seafoodwatch.org

Picture 12: Seine Netting. Source: sunshineandhurricanes.

com

Spear Fishing

Sharpened stick, ranges from

primitive to advanced

Deep sea, knee deep variations

Have to kill fish after spearing

Picture 13. Man spear fishing. Source: http:

//iliketowastemytime.com/

Different kinds of spears

Picture 14. Spear 1. Source:

http://firstpeoplesofcanada.
com/fp_groups/fp_plateau3.
html

Picture 15. Spear 2. Source:

http://zombierelationships.
blogspot.com/

Picture 16. Spear 3. Source:

http://www.gulfcoastlionfish.
com/lionfish_gear.html

Oyster raking

Similar to clam raking

Oysters are rougher, more cretaceous
Drag rake against sea floor
Later break oysters open to eat
Steamed, fried, grilled, or raw

Picture 17. Oyster Rake. Source: http:

//www.cotuitoystercompany.com/

Other Benefits of Oyster Raking

Primitive method
Can be fashioned out of basic materials
Prime survival technique

Fly Fishing

High skill level needed

Rod with a stationary string attached
Whipped back and forth to simulate fly
Usually practiced in rivers
Picture 18. Fly fishing. Source: http://sites.psu.
edu/

Fly Fishing Lures

Picture 19. Fly Lure. Source: http:

//www.fly-fishing-discounters.
com/fly-fishing-flies.html

Picture 20. Fly Lure 2. Source:

https://www.pinterest.
com/slipstitch/flies-lures/

Hawaiian Hand Sling

Similar to spearfishing
Hand held bow and arrow
Free diving in deep water
Snorkel or scuba equipment
Some have string on butt, some dont

Picture 21. Hawaiian hand sling

Source: http://www.
makospearguns.com/

Hand Sling Origin

Origin: Hawaii
1930s
804 lb Atlantic Spotted Bass 1949

Frog Gigging

Usually found in swamps/marshes

Stab frog without letting go of spear
Spears are four to six feet long
Have to kill frog after speared

Picture 22. Frog Gigging. Source: http://www.

chicagonow.com/

Noodling

Hand Fishing
Predominantly freshwater
Gloves and no gloves
No bait needed
Stick hand in hole
Do not need a license

Picture 23. Noodling. Source: http:

//www.fishingloft.com/

Why you should give a carp

Fresh spin on things

Could spark interest didnt know you had
Cheaper
Bonding time
Great outlet from stress
Survival situations feed for day

Our Connection

Grew up fishing
Bonded with family; Pier fishing
Pursued alternate techniques
Wanted to share
Help others enjoy sport

References

"Choosing and Using Cast Nets." Marlin Magazine. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
"Catfish Noodling - Bare Handed Fishing - Grabbling." FishingLoft.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
"Fishing Bay and Ocean - Ocean City MD - Coastal Delaware - Oyster Bay Tackle."Fishing Bay and Ocean - Ocean City MD Coastal Delaware - Oyster Bay Tackle. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

"Cotuit Oyster Company: Oysters: Fresh from Cotuit Bay." Cotuit Oysters Cape Cod. Cotuit Oyster Company, Inc, 2009. Web.
19 Nov. 2015.

"Crabbing For Beginners." Instructables.com. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

Neale, Tom. "BoatUS.com - Tom Neale's Cruising For You." Tom Neale's Cruising For You. BoatUS.com, July 2004. Web. 19
Nov. 2015.

"Fishing & Farming Methods." Fishing and Farming Methods from the Seafood Watch Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

Brooks, Ron. "Joys of Frog Gigging." The Dartmouth Review. N.p., 12 Nov. 2001. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

"Night Flounder Gigging." About.com Sports. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.