Morehead City July 15, 2010
Timothy Horton, of Wake Forest, NC, with an 11.5 lb. flounder that fell for a live bait at the Morehead City port wall. Weighed in at Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the flounder fishing continues to get better (with fish to 11.5 lbs. caught in the area this past week and good numbers in 5-7 lb. class). The port wall, high-rise bridges, ICW docks, and the area channels have all been producing good numbers of fish. Live mud minnows are producing most of the flatties, but Gulp Mud Minnow/Croakers and Shrimp on Carolina rigs are also producing results.
The flatfish bite has also been solid at nearshore structure like AR-315, 320, and 330. Most of the nearshore flounder are falling for Gulp-tipped bucktails.
In addition, the sheepshead fishing has been excellent lately. The fish are feeding around the port wall, bridges, ICW docks, rocks, and any other hard structure in the area. Fiddler crabs, clams, and sea urchins are the baits of choice for the striped fish.
Anglers are finding action with red drum in the Haystacks, Middle Marsh, Bogue Sound, and around ICW docks. Oyster bars and grass banks and points are the best places to look for them, particularly when there’s bait in the area.
Topwater plugs have been producing results early and late in the day, and anglers are hooking up on scented soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and gold spoons when the fish won’t eat on top. Live mud minnows, mullet, shrimp, and cut mullet beneath popping corks are also extremely effective.
Anglers are hooking a few speckled trout in the deeper holes of the Haystacks on live shrimp.
The spanish mackerel bite is still on in the inlet, around the AR’s, and at Cape Lookout. Trolling with mackerel trees, Clarkspoons, and squid rigs will put them in the boat, but live baits are appealing to the largest spaniards.
King mackerel are feeding around the sea buoy, the Trawler Buoy, NW Places, and the Summerlin. Cigar minnows on dead bait rigs are producing most of the fish right now.
Amberjack are schooled up on all the reefs and structure, and they will pile on a live cigar minnow or pogie. They’ll also sometimes strike topwater plugs.
Offshore, boats are finding some dolphin around the 14 Buoy on ballyhoo/sea witch combos. Some sailfish are feeding inshore of the Stream as well.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some healthy triggerfish and grouper on squid, Boston mackerel, sardines, and cigar minnows.
Greg Casstevens, from Mt. Airy, NC, with 5.4 and 4.3 lb. flounder he hooked near the Atlantic Beach bridge on live baits.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the sheepshead bite is going strong around the port wall, railroad tracks, and other hard structure in the area. Fiddler crabs and sea urchins will tempt bites from the sheepies.
The red drum bite’s been solid in the area’s marshes in the late afternoons, and the fish are taking an interest in topwater plugs.
Anglers are finding some good speckled trout action at night around the bridges and the docks on the Morehead side. Live shrimp under floats and soft plastic lures are the way to go for the trout.
The flounder bite has been on as well, with the best action at the port wall, other deep water structure, and the channels in the ICW. Live mud minnows and other baits are fooling the flatties.
Pier and surf anglers are getting in on the flounder action as well. They’re also hooking good numbers of spot and whiting.
Offshore, the dolphin bite has slowed down, but there’s been a major white marlin bite (many boats with 6+ releases) in around 70 fathoms the past few days.
Bottom fishermen are reporting big numbers of black sea bass in around 100’ of water. Red snapper are so prevalent as well that anglers are having to move to get away from them since their season is closed.
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports that the white marlin bite has been world-class over the past few days, with double-digit numbers seen and hooked per boat. Some sailfish are in the mix as well. The best action has been in 125-150 fathoms just past the Big Rock. Trolling dredge teasers and ballyhoo under Blue Water Candy skirts is the way to attract bites from the billfish.
Dolphin fishing has been nearly automatic inshore of the Stream in around 15 fathoms.
Dan West, from Marion, VA, with a 3.5 lb. spanish mackerel he hooked on a live bait while fishing from Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach.
Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that king mackerel fishing has been excellent both east and west of Lookout Shoals lately. Most of the fish are falling for live pogies.
Some dolphin and a few sailfish are mixed in, particularly on the east side.
Willis, of Oceanana Pier, reports that plug casters are finding some action with spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the planks.
