Morehead/Atlantic Beach – May 2024
Frank, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that nearshore anglers have been finding spanish mackerel over local wrecks. Most of this early action is sub-surface, with trolling being the top way to produce strikes.
Some bonito are in these same areas, and they’re also holding deep and hitting trolled spoons or jigs.
When offshore conditions are settled, the runs are producing nice-sized wahoo.
Bottom fishing remains another strong option when heading offshore. Vermilion snapper, triggerfish, tilefish, and grouper (as keeper season opens) make up the mixed bag hanging on the deeper structure.
Back inside, deeper holes around the Port are holding bluefish, sea mullet, and pufferfish.
The red drum and speckled trout action has been a little on the slow side during this transition period.
Inshore anglers have found black drum to be the most reliable target.
Surf and pier anglers are catching sea mullet, pufferfish, and bluefish.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that anglers fishing nearshore in the early mornings are finding bonito around some of the local structures, such as AR-315 and AR-330. This is not a “run and gun” fishery, with the key being to find the bait holding deep and then positioning a drift into the target area.
These same nearshore wrecks are holding bluefish, gray trout, and some spanish mackerel, and this time of year, be prepared to run across schools of false albacore, with the outside chance to also land one of the few scattered blackfin tuna that pop up nearshore.
Structure out a little deeper (60-80’+) is holding black sea bass.
Out around the Cape, black drum fishing has been good. Recent efforts have found the outgoing tide to have a better bite.
Back in the rivers, speckled trout fishing has been spotty. Anglers looking to target trout will do best with topwater plugs or popping cork rigs, being sure to focus on the cloudier days or during low-light periods. The grass flats or oyster rocks are the best areas to start casting efforts.
Red drum are mostly holding back in the creeks and marshes.
Colin Swann, of Wilmington, hauled up this 10.62 lb. queen triggerfish near The Big Rock using squid.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that bonito have arrived in the area. Anglers are having a lot of success getting out for the early morning bite, with strikes being had by casting Blue Water Candy Thingamajigs, live baits, and small casting metals.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are in the same areas.
Inside the inlet, bottom fishing action for sea mullet and gray trout is strong. The target areas have been some of the deeper holes (30-50’) around the inlet and in the Turning Basin. A Sam’s Gitter rig tipped with shrimp has been the top producing setup.
The jetties are still holding a mix of red drum, black drum, and sheepshead. All three species will hit fresh shrimp on jig heads.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that bonito and spanish mackerel have arrived nearshore, joined by the bluefish and gray trout already out on the nearshore ARs. Use 1 oz. casting jigs or 1/4-1/2 oz. mylar bucktail-style jigs on 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader for all four species.
Gag grouper will be found a little further off the beach (60-140’) once the season opens on May 1.
Around mid-May, the area sees cobia fishing pick up, and sight casting with bucktails or live bait is the preferred tactic. On those days the conditions don’t allow for sight casting, anglers can target bait balls or bottom fish with fresh or dead baits. Fresher bait is always better, but frozen will work if it has to work.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that as the offshore water temperatures start reaching that 70-degree mark, the wahoo bite is picking up.
Blackfin tuna and a few stray early season mahi are already making a showing.
Triggerfish and vermilion snapper continue to produce plenty of action in the 100-180’ range.
For grouper, anglers can find some of these fish as shallow as 80’ right on out into the 120’+ range.
Ethan Bell, of Richmond, VA, hauled in this red snapper fishing out of Morehead City using a Precious Metal Lures 3 oz. Wreck Havoc. He was fishing with Ali-Kat Sportfishing.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that offshore runs continue to produce wahoo and blackfin tuna.
May typically sees the arrival of the first mahi.
Bottom fishing has been a strong option. A bunch of amberjack are around, and grouper should be a successful target as soon as May 1 arrives.
Jason, of Ali-Kat Sportfishing, reports that wahoo fishing has been good out in the 40-fathom area when pulling ballyhoo behind planers.
A good sign that we are moving into late spring fishing is the first mahi already being caught. Going into May, this bite gets more prominent as these fish migrate into the area.
Some early season billfish have also already been caught.
Good-sized black sea bass are holding in the 20-mile range, with triggerfish mixed in when getting out over 100’+ depths.
Some grouper (and American red snapper) have come from just about every single stop made in 100’+, which should bode well for a strong keeper grouper season when that opens May 1.
Nearshore trips have been finding some chopper bluefish hanging out around the shoals.
Arnold, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers have seen a sea mullet bite that has been on fire. Local dredging has the water conditions a bit dirty, but these conditions haven’t slowed the bottom fishing action.
Some bluefish are being caught on the bottom-rigged baits.
Spanish mackerel are in the area. When the winds shift and clean up the water, anglers anticipate seeing schools move within casting range with more surface-feeding action.
