Morehead City – Winter 2014-2015
Renee Tilley, of Shallotte, NC, with 81 lb. black drum that she hooked off Oceanana Pier after it struck an artificial bloodworm.
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of speckled trout action around Morehead City at present, and they’re finding the fish in the creeks off Core Creek, the Haystacks, around Radio Island, along the Cape Lookout jetty, and in the surf zone. Anglers are hooking the specks on live shrimp inshore when they can get them, along with a wide variety of artificials like soft plastics on jigheads and MirrOlure MR17’s. Heavier 52 series MirrOlures are producing better results with the specks and some puppy drum in the surf and around Cape Lookout.
Gray trout are also on the feed inshore, and anglers have been catching big numbers around the Atlantic Beach Bridge, railroad tracks, and deeper water around the Lookout jetty. Jigging lures like Stingsilvers, soft plastic grubs, and live baits like shrimp are all effective on the grays.
Anglers are still connecting with some flounder around the port wall as the fish stage up before heading offshore, and those who can find some live finger mullet stand a good shot of connecting with a few flatfish before they’re gone for the winter.
Sheepshead are still feeding around the port wall, and they’ll be joined by black drum and tautog as the water continues to cool. Anglers can also find all three crustacean lovers feeding around the area’s jetties and nearshore structure like AR-315. All three will pounce on a live shrimp or cut shrimp and other crustacean baits fished on bottom rigs.
Out in the ocean, bottom fishermen are connecting with plenty of black sea bass and gag grouper near bottom structure around the Northwest Place and Big 10/Little 10. Squid, cigar minnows, and mackerel will tempt plenty of bites from the bottom feeders. Anglers dropping the same offerings to deeper structure in 100’+ can also expect to connect with some beeliners and triggerfish.
Bluefin tuna made a strong showing early last week around Cape Lookout but the action slowed down a few days after they first appeared. The unpredictable fish could show up in force again at any time, and trolling horse ballyhoo under large skirted lures is the way to connect with the giant fish if they reappear.
Thor Coole and Tony Hewett with a 42 lb. king mackerel that struck a cigar minnow on the downrigger near the 1700 Rock while they were fishing on the “Coole Cat.” Weighed in at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors.
Cody, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers saw some action with giant bluefin tuna last week, with the best fishing in 50-60’ of water around the Trawler Buoy for most boats. The bite has since slowed down but could turn back on overnight. Trolling large skirted ballyhoo around bottom structure and concentrations of bait or working birds that anglers find is the best bet for those looking to battle a bluefin.
The last time bluefins made a strong showing off Morehead was also the last year anglers saw striped bass feeding around Cape Lookout, so there’s fervent hope that the stripers will return at some point in early 2015.
Anglers are finding plenty of speckled trout around Morehead right now, but most are undersized. Those traveling to the creeks off the Neuse River seem to be connecting with the bigger fish. Soft plastics and suspending hard lures are the best bets for the specks.
Gray trout are around in big numbers, and anglers are hooking them inshore around the bridges along with big numbers at the Cape Lookout Rock Jetty. The grays will pounce on a host of live and cut baits or artificial lures like soft plastics and metal jigs.
Not many boats have been to the Gulf Stream instead of bluefin fishing recently, but there should be opportunities for wahoo and blackfin tuna for much of the winter as long as warm water is pushed in around spots like the Big Rock. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures will fool both fish.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that anglers saw some giant bluefin tuna action around Cape Lookout Shoals last week, and they are hoping the big fish show back up in solid numbers in the weeks ahead. Large ballyhoo trolled behind weighted skirts are the way to connect with the bluefins, and both deep baits on planers and surface lures can draw bites.
King mackerel also made a strong showing last week around the Northwest Places (many 15-30 lbs.). Anglers should be able to find action with the kings all winter long as long as 67+ degree water is inshore of the break. Live baits or dead cigar minnows will fool the fish (but live baits seem to produce the largest).
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Charters, reports that bluefin tuna made an appearance around Lookout Shoals last week, and boats in the know caught solid numbers on several days. Trolling large ballyhoo around areas of suspended bait, working birds, or whale and dolphin activity is the way to connect with the bluefins when they’re around.
The last boats to fish the blue water off Beaufort Inlet landed some wahoo and a surprising catch of late-season dolphin. Anglers should be able to target wahoo, blackfin tuna, and scattered other blue water predators all winter long as long as warm water stays on top of the break. Smaller skirted ballyhoo are the baits of choice for the Gulf Stream fish.
