Morehead City June 23, 2011
Tom Blevins, of Morehead City, with sheepshead and black drum (from 5-9 lbs.) he hooked on live fiddler crabs around local bridges.
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding action with some red drum and speckled trout in the Haystacks and the marshes off Core Creek. A few black drum and flounder are mixed in, and live shrimp and mud minnows or Gulp shrimp are producing the most action.
The flounder bite has also been good along the port wall, the bridges, the channel edges behind Shackleford, and at the nearshore reefs like AR-315 and 320. Live mud minnows and finger mullet are producing plenty of action with the flatfish, and anglers are also catching big numbers in deeper water while bouncing 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits off the bottom.
Sheesphead are feeding at hard structure inshore, with good action on the corner of the port wall and around the bridges. Fiddler crabs and sea urchins are attracting most of the attention from the sheeps, with the urchins appealing to the larger fish.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding in the inlet and along the beaches, where trolling Clarkspoons will draw bites from both. Gotcha plugs and Pole-Kat lures are producing results for anglers who want to cast to the fish.
Some king mackerel are feeding in the shipping channel around the sea boy, and live menhaden or dead cigar minnows will get their attention. Some cobia are still hanging around the buoys in the channel, and live baits or bucktails with soft plastic trailers will tempt them to bite.
Offshore, bottom fishermen have found plenty of action with black sea bass, gag grouper, and triggerfish around AR-285, AR-330, and the 210 and 240 Rocks. Squid and cut baits will attract attention from the bass and triggers, while cigar minnows should appeal to the gags.
The dolphin bite is still best between the 14 Buoy and 90’ Drop, where anglers are catching good numbers on trolled ballyhoo. Some sailfish and wahoo are in the mix between the 90’ Drop and the Big Rock.
Cody, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that pier and surf anglers are seeing a typical summer mixed bag of pigfish, croaker, spot, pompano, and sea mullet. Shrimp and bloodworms are top choices for these bottom feeders.
The flounder bite is solid around the nearshore reefs and ICW channel edges. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs or bucktails tipped with Gulp baits will get attention from the flatfish.
Sheepshead are feeding around all the area bridges (with some to 9+ lbs. weighed in recently), and sea urchins are the best baits for the larger fish.
Anglers are finding some decent red drum action in Core Creek and the Newport River. Topwater plugs and spinnerbaits are attracting attention from the reds.
The spanish mackerel bite is still on in the inlets and along the beaches, and trolling Clarkspoons, squid rigs, and bird rigs will tempt bites from the spaniards and plenty of bluefish in the same areas.
Anglers have reported a few king mackerel off Beaufort Inlet and around Cape Lookout, but overall the king action has been on the slow side.
Amberjacks are feeding at the Atlas Tanker and other high-relief offshore structure, and live baits or vertical jigs will draw crushing strikes from the jacks.
Bottom fishermen have been finding action with some gag grouper at structure in around 100’ of water, and they’re hooking them while dropping cigar minnows on bottom rigs or working Blue Water Candy Roscoe Jigs.
George Evins with a citation-class red drum he caught and released on the Cape Lookout Shoals. The red ate a live eel while he was fishing with Jeff Becker on the "Beats Working." Photo courtesy of Danny Murphy.
Pete, of Energizer Charters, reports that the dolphin bite is still good for boats trolling the blue water off Beaufort Inlet. Some white marlin and sailfish have been in the mix as well, and all are taking an interest in skirted ballyhoo.
Dolphin are working their way closer to shore, and anglers have been catching some on 3/4 day trips in around 90’ of water lately. A few king mackerel are in the same area, and live baits, dead ballyhoo, and lures will tempt bites from the kings and ‘phins.
The spanish mackerel bite is still excellent along the beaches, where trolled Clarkspoons are producing plenty of action.
Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that tarpon have begun making their way into Pamlico Sound and the Neuse River, and plenty more are on their way. Anglers will find good fishing for the silver kings all summer long while dropping large cut and live baits to the bottom. Chumming helps the fish find the hooked baits.
Large red drum are also moving into the sound, where anglers can target them with much the same technique as the tarpon.
Puppy drum are feeding around Point of Marsh and the bays in the area. Cut baits on downsized Owen Lupton drum rigs are the way to go for the pups.
Speckled trout are moving out of the rivers, and they will be feeding around spots like Bird Island and Raccoon Island in the early mornings. Topwater plugs and MR17 MirrOlures will tempt bites from the specks.
Dolphin and king mackerel are feeding at the wrecks and rocks within a few miles of the beaches on the east side of Cape Lookout. Live menhaden will attract plenty of attention from both.
Willis, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some black drum (some to 8 lbs.), croaker, and spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Royce, of Sheraton Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some keeper flounder on small live baits fished on the bottom.
Black drum, spot, and pompano are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
A few sheepshead are coming over the rails for anglers who know how to target them.
Plug casters are connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish on the incoming tides.
