Morehead City – September 29, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the red drum fishing has been excellent recently, with the majority of the reds coming from the Newport River and Core Creek. Live shrimp or mud minnows under a popping cork have been producing the best results, but Gulp shrimp on jig heads and various topwater plugs are also tempting bites. Speckled trout are mixed in with the reds and seem to be feeding best when the reds are less active.
Flounder are feeding best around the port wall, high-rise bridges, and ICW docks. Live mullet on Carolina rigs, Gulp shrimp on jig heads, and jerk shads on weedless hooks have all been tempting bites from the hungry flatfish. Closer to the actual structure are plenty of large sheepshead that are feeding on live fiddler crabs, sea urchins, and fresh shrimp pinned to Carolina rigs with circle hooks.
Just outside of the inlet are large numbers of citation-class spanish mackerel and snake kings. Large mullet, menhaden, and cigar minnows on live or dead bait rigs have been tempting bites from both species. Anglers have been reporting success from the shipping channel out to AR-315 and along the beachfront in 15-20’ of water. Larger kings are being caught further offshore in areas like the Atlas Tanker, 1700 Rock, and Chicken Rock. Live menhaden or dead ribbonfish are the best baits to fool one of these smoker kings.
Anglers fishing the surf zone report that the fishing has been excellent with a mixed bag of species, but puppy drum seem to be dominating the catch. Fresh mullet on a fish finder rig with a large circle hook has been the go to method for connecting with the smaller puppy drum as well as any over-slot fish that may be in the same area. Black drum, sea mullet, pompano, and bluefish have also been pulled out of the surf by anglers soaking fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs.
Offshore, anglers are still reporting a strong wahoo and blackfin tuna bite just past the break. Sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and the occasional gaffer dolphin are in the mix as well. The 90’ Drop, Swansboro Hole, and the Big Rock have all been holding fish lately and should continue to hold fish throughout the fall. Anglers should work baits near weedlines, rips, temp breaks, live bottom, and deep underwater ledges. Naked and skirted ballyhoo have been putting plenty of fish in the boat, but a variety of trolling lures can also be pulled with success.
David Hanks, of Raleigh, and Lane Ingram, of Thomasville, with wahoo caught near the Big Rock on blue and white sea witches.
Paul of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the inshore flounder bite has improved recently, with some large fish being brought to the scales. ICW docks, bridges, and the Port Wall have been producing plenty of action for anglers persistent enough to put fish in the boat. Live mullet and mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs have been producing the best action. Anglers are also reporting success fishing the nearshore artificial reefs both with live bait and bucktails tipped with Gulp shrimp.
The nearshore king mackerel bite has finally picked up, with good numbers of smoker kings being caught within 5 miles of the beach. The Dead Tree Hole and the shipping channels have been the hot spots recently, but any nearshore structure like ledges, artificial reefs, and live bottom should be holding good numbers of kings, spanish, and false albacore. Live menhaden and bluefish on king rigs have been the best baits for connecting with a hungry king; however, dead cigar minnows on Hank Brown rigs are the most effective method of catching all three species.
Crockett Henderson, of the Liquid Fire Fishing Team, with a 57 lb. wahoo caught on a live menhaden on the east side of Cape Lookout.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that anglers are finding large numbers of amberjack, barracuda, and gag grouper in 60-90’ of water. The amberjacks and barracudas are feeding on live bait fished close to high relief structure. Offshore style poppers are also providing anglers with excellent amberjack action. The grouper are feeding best on live baits, such as pinfish or cigar minnows fished on Carolina rigs with heavy duty circle hooks. Artificial baits (like bucktails or Roscoe jigs tipped with Gulp shrimp or fresh squid) are also tempting bites from these tasty bottom feeders.
Wahoo and blackfin tuna are feeding within the 90’ range where they are mixed in with the occasional sailfish and yellowfin tuna. The best bite is past the break, but anglers should be able to find them wherever they can find weedlines, temp breaks, or floating structure. Naked and skirted ballyhoo have been producing the most bites, but high speed lures like Dinner Bells have been tempting good numbers of large wahoo.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that the false albacore and spanish mackerel bite has been red hot nearshore, with most of the fish being caught on shiny lures like Stingsilvers, diamond jigs, and Epoxy jigs casted into the schools of feeding fish. Anglers are also connecting with both species while trolling #0-#1 Clarkspoons behind a #1 planer or 2-3 oz. trolling weight. Anglers should avoid trolling directly through schools of busting fish in order to not spook them and cause them to stop feeding.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing Charters, reports that the offshore bite has been excellent recently with a mixed bag of fish coming over the rails. Wahoo and blackfin tuna have been dominating the action, with large numbers of both being caught just past the break. Naked and skirted ballyhoo have been effective at tempting bites from wahoo, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and the occasional mahi.
Sailfish and swordfish have also been caught by anglers fishing the Gulf Stream in the Big Rock area.
Bailey, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with large numbers of blues and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the end of the pier. Anglers soaking baits on the bottom have been connecting with puppy drum, black drum, and sea mullet while fishing with fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
The water is 81 degrees.
