Outer Banks Pro, Cabin Fever from Ross Howatt on Vimeo.
It’s been over a month since I have been home from Indonesia and I must say, being home has been an adventure in it self. A trip to Hatteras for the Outer Banks Pro, weekly fishing, Jaguar games, amazing dinner parties, live music, and the Seven Tiki Pro. Oh it’s a good life…
Cape Hatteras has always been an East Coast surf destination, but for some of us, going there annually is more of a tradition. Ever since my ESA days and going up there for the East Coast Championship, I have always really loved just being on the outer banks. Part of us from the St.Augustine district would rent a big house with the Jax bch crew and it was always the best times for us groms, and our parents as well. Even though I am now 24, every time I go up there that same old feeling always comes back. For the past 6 years Hurley and WRV have put on the Outer Banks Pro and it is hands down my most favorite event to partake in. Unfortunately this year for the contest, the waves were not up to par for Hatteras standards at all. I went with my close friends, fellow St.Auggie doggies Jody Davis and Zander Morton. We arrived a day before the comp to score a random sandbar on the tail end of Hurricane Igor. We were frothing, just us out getting black hole sandy tubes. The day the event started the swell had dropped dramatically and it was up to the best grovelers to decide who was going to make it through. Zander and I both lost 1st round, which left us with two days of cabin fever in our hotel room. Jody made a couple heats to score some cash, and we bailed just in time to make a Jaguars home game. Even though we didn’t compete well, that one session of getting our ears full of sand made the 10 hr. drive worth every bit of it.
I’m a pretty avid angler, and I fish every chance I get. Sometimes fighting a good fish, gives me that same stoke as riding a good wave. Fall is definitely the best time of year for fishing. Find your self a couple of fiddler crabs and drop em’ around some dock pilings and you can count on a Sheephead (my personal favorite) or a Black Drum, to buckle your rod. Also, this time of year the Grouper and Snapper move in to the wrecks and reefs 9 to 20 miles offshore. I am so lucky to have grown up in such a place as St.Augustine, where the fishing is way better than the waves, and to have inshore and offshore options.
Oh how I love my Jaguars… We win big games and have huge losses, but thats why we are the “ Cardiac Cats”. We tailgate harder than anyone and we always have fun despite the outcome.
My life long friend, North Shore local waterman, and a member of the “Pipeline Posse” Rocky Canon, who also has family ties to North Florida, came to town to promote his friend and his band “Chief Ragga” who plays some amazing Reggae with a Hawaiin twist. They had a big showing at the Mellow Mushroom in Jax bch. and also played at the Corner bar here in St. Augustine. Great to see Rocky and get down to some good music.
Last weekend was the Seven Tiki Pro. Jay Dodson, “the mayor of Jax bch” has put on the event two years in a row now and he does an amazing job. Jay goes out of his way to put on these events, has a yearly 4th of july bash, and throws huge tailgating parties for us Jag fans, all for the sake of making sure his friends have a good time. I was stoked to make it to the Qtr. Finals and bring home a lil’cash, considering I never do that great in contests. I made sure I thanked Jay, and he replied “ I like writing my friends checks, thats why I do this.” Thanks again Jay, you’re the man.
Check out the link to ESM’s article on the contest fightclub_101910b
