Morehead City – April 14, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that gray trout, sea mullet, and croakers have moved into the Morehead City turning basin, and anglers have been connecting with plenty of these bottom fish from the port wall to the inlet. Double drop bottom rigs tipped with shrimp or bloodworm-flavored Fishbites will tempt bites from all three species. Anglers looking to connect with the more picky sea mullet should try Sam’s Gitters bottom rigs tipped with Fishbites.
ICW docks and feeder creeks are holding plenty of red and black drum; however, the recent cold evenings have slowed the bite down considerably, and anglers should remember to slow their presentation when targeting these lethargic fish. The black drum should be holding in deep holes, especially near docks, and fresh shrimp on a bottom rig will be irresistible to them.
Sea mullet, pufferfish, and stingrays are being caught in the surf zone lately, with the best action coming from the area around the Fort Macon rock jetty and the park area. Black drum and gray trout are mixed in, but the bite isn’t as reliable as it should be. Surf anglers are reporting success using live mud minnows and 3” Gulp shrimp in new penny or white.
Doyle Adams with a 22″ speck he landed on a Betts shrimp while fishing in the Sneads Ferry area with Capt. Ricky Kellum of Speckled Specialist Charters.
Steve, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that there is still plenty of speckled trout action for those that don’t mind doing some scouting. Local creeks and bays have been producing plenty of keeper-sized trout, but they are spread out in smaller schools than what was seen earlier in the year. Anglers willing to stay on the move and use a variety of baits should be able to find some fish.
On chilly mornings, a 3-4” soft plastic bait such as Gulp jerk shad or Egret Bayou Chub on a 1/4” jighead fished near deep holes should put plenty of trout in the boat. As the sun rises and warms the water, anglers should switch their approach and target shallow mud flats and oyster beds with soft jigs or suspended twitch baits such as the MirrOlure MR17.
Anglers venturing just off the beaches are reporting large schools of bluefish in the 2-3 lb. range near Cape Lookout, but the recent hard winds are making it difficult to fish for them. If the wind breaks and allows anglers to get out of the inlet, these toothy fish can be fooled with just about any silver casting lure.
Further offshore, anglers are still finding great bottom fish action with multiple citation triggerfish caught recently. Black sea bass and beeliners are also mixed in with the triggerfish. The best action is concentrated in the 30-40 mile range in areas like the Atlas Tanker, 240 Rock, 1700 Rock, and the 14 buoy. Shrimp, squid, and cigar minnows will tempt bites from all species.
Whitney McFatter, of Goldsboro, and Mickey Pate,l of Peletier, with a red they hooked while fishing in Bogue Sound.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that inshore fishing continues to improve, and bottom fishing near the turning basin and port wall has produced plenty of sea mullet, croaker, small black sea bass, and some good-sized gray trout. All species of bottom fish can be caught on a spec rig tipped with fresh shrimp or squid. Anglers looking to connect with gray trout should use silver jigs such as Big Nic diamond jigs, or Sea Striker casting spoons bounced just off the bottom.
There have been a few summer flounder caught recently, but the majority of these fish have been too small to keep. Gulp shrimp on bucktails or live mud minnows on a bottom rig will fool the flatties.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that the false albacore are beginning to show up, although the bite has been hit or miss as the water still needs to warm a bit. Most of these fish are further south, but anglers may find a school near the Cape Lookout shoals.
There have been reports of large over-slot red drum being caught near Shark Island recently, but it is still too early in the year to bank on the fish being there consistently.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing Charters, reports that recent Gulf Stream fishing has been producing plenty of pelagic species. The wahoo bite has improved from recent weeks, with some fish in the 70-80 lb. range being caught recently. Bluefish on live bait rigs are the key to catching these pelagics, but they will also take interest in dinner bell type lures and ballyhoo fished naked or skirted.
The blackfin tuna are still around, but the bite isn’t as consistent as it was earlier in the year. Some yellowfin tuna and amberjack are also being caught offshore near the Big Rock, and anglers can fool all three species with Blue Water Candy Jag-A-Hoos.
Larry, of Oceanana Pier, reports than pier anglers are still connecting with plenty of pufferfish, sea mullet, skates, and some small spots. The water temperature is 57 degrees.
