Morehead – September 24, 2015
Steve, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet and pompano while surf fishing at Atlantic Beach. Sand fleas have been producing the nicer fish, but anglers can also hook both fish on shrimp.
Anglers are also connecting with some spanish mackerel and false albacore while working metal casting jigs around the Fort Macon jetty.
Inshore anglers have seen an improved bite in recent days, with good numbers of red drum, flounder, and some speckled trout feeding around the Middle Marsh, Haystacks, and other backwater spots. Live baits like finger mullet and mud minnows have been producing most of the action.
Anglers are also picking up some large flounder around the Morehead port wall on live baits.
Joshua Lamm with his first grouper, a gag that inhaled a live bait while he was fishing some bottom structure 25 miles off Beaufort Inlet with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Gray trout are feeding in the turning basin, and they’re biting spec rigs tipped with shrimp.
Anglers are also hooking a few sea mullet and spot in the turning basin, and the panfish bite should improve over the coming weeks.
Spanish mackerel, flase albacore, and bluefish are feeding inside the inlet, along the beach, and along Cape Lookout Shoals. All three will bite trolled Clarkspoons or small metal jigs casting into schools feeding on the surface.
Anglers can target the larger spanish with live finger mullet on light wire leaders, with the best bite around structure like the shoals and the nearshore artificial reefs.
Flounder fishing is still excellent at the AR’s, and anglers are hooking big numbers on bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits.
King mackerel action is picking up, and anglers can find the kings at the AR’s and other spots out to the NW Places. Live menhaden or dead ribbonfish are top choices for the kings.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing plenty of action with black sea bass, gag grouper, triggerfish, and more. The action’s been hot around the West Rock, 240 Rock, and Big 10/Little 10 lately, and squid and cigar minnows are fooling the bottom feeders.
Offshore, blue water trollers are finding an excellent wahoo bite when they can get out. Some blackfin and yellowfin tuna along with some sailfish are mixed in, and all the blue water predators are biting skirted ballyhoo. Baits pulled deep behind a planer seem to be producing most of the wahoo.
Gary Penny, of Durham, NC, with a red drum he caught in the Atlantic Beach surf.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are seeing fall fishing kick off, with bait running to the inlets and gamefish taking advantage.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks, and false albacore are feeding with abandon around Beaufort Inlet, with good numbers of fish around Cape Lookout as well. Anglers are hooking all the fish while trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal lures like diamond jigs.
The king mackerel bite is getting better and should be on for fall soon. Anglers are finding the kings along the beachfront, in the shipping channel, around Cape Lookout, and at a host of offshore spots. Live baits are the best bets for the kings, but dead cigar minnows will also put fish in the boat.
Offshore trollers are hooking solid numbers of wahoo when they can get out, with the best action around The Rise and Swansboro Hole this week. Some tuna are mixed in, and both fish are falling for skirted ballyhoo. High-speed lures like Ballyhood Cowbells and Wahoo Wackers are also producing results.
Bottom fishermen are finding plenty of action with grouper, triggerfish, and sea bass around structure in the 30-35 mile range. They’re biting a variety of dead and cut baits.
Closer to the beaches, flounder fishing remains excellent at the nearshore AR’s, and anglers are hooking solid numbers of fish on Gulp-tipped bucktail jigs and live finger mullet.
The flatfish bite has been good inshore as well, with solid numbers coming from the marshes, local docks and bridges, and the port wall. Live finger mullet and mud minnows are fooling the flatfish inshore.
Slot red drum are also looking for meals in the marshes, and they’re biting live baits and a variety of lures.
Tyler Stultz and Josh Craig, of Walnut Cove, NC, with 38 and 41 lb. king mackerel they landed while live-baiting near Cape Lookout. Weighed in at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with slot and over-slot red drum while fishing the marshes and ICW inshore. Most are falling for live baits and soft plastics under popping corks.
Flounder fishing remains solid on nearshore structure around Lookout Shoals. Bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits are fooling most of the flounder.
Anglers live-baiting in the same areas are hooking some large spanish mackerel (to 6+ lbs.) and a few kings.
Dropping live baits to structure further offshore is producing fast action and hard battles with amberjacks.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing, reports that anglers are connecting with wahoo, blackfin tuna, and gaffer dolphin while trolling the Gulf Stream off Beaufort Inlet at present. All three are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted lures like sea witches.
Greta, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are hooking good numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Bottom fishermen have been connecting with some spot, croaker, puffers, and other panfish while baiting up with shrimp.
