Morehead/Atlantic Beach – October 2024
Hunter, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that the speckled trout bite has started early this year. A long stretch of north winds has brought cooler waters, and the trout are already in many of their typical fall areas (the sound, the haystacks, and up the rivers). Target these fish on deeper ledges and drop-offs that have nearby structure, such as oysters or rocks. The trout are keyed in on live shrimp.
Anglers are also finding scattered schools of drum using the same live shrimp.
The nearshore action has come alive, with the false albacore fishing being phenomenal.
Spanish mackerel are still hit-or-miss, with each day seeing different levels of productivity. Both species are being caught by anglers sight-casting small jigs (such as Hogy Epoxy Minnows and Big Nic Spanish Candies) to surface-feeding frenzies.
A lot of bluefish are hanging around the shoals off Cape Lookout.
Some king mackerel have started to come in closer to the beach, with fish being caught right outside the inlet.
Those that have had the opportunity to go offshore have been finding wahoo on the break.
Many anglers are still focused on finding a citation-class red drum. Those running up Adams Creek into the Neuse River are having some success fishing baits in the evening. The bite isn’t strong or predictable, though.
Kevin Jones, of D.C., landed this 40 lb. wahoo near the Big Rock on a blue and white Ilander. He was fishing with Capt. Cody Garner and mate Holden Brown of Reel Time Charters.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that speckled trout are becoming a good target in the area. These fish are being caught in the backs of creeks and in areas off the Newport and North rivers. Live shrimp can’t be beat.
The live shrimp will also entice strikes from black drum staged around shell bottoms and structure.
Nearshore fishing has been coming alive. Some large bluefish (8-14 lb. class) are hanging off the beaches and on nearshore structure.
Spanish mackerel should be showing back up any day, and false albacore are already making an appearance.
Don’t be surprised to see some cobia being caught, as these fish migrate south out of the Chesapeake Bay.
Anglers looking to target the citation-class red drum have been doing best in the sound and closer to the inlets. Bait fishing has been the name of the game.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that large schools of false albacore and bluefish are already starting to show up. They’re feeding on glass minnows, and anglers should have success throwing their favorite casting lures (such as Epoxy lures, Albie Snax plastics, or Double Up Dons Jigs) around surface-feeding frenzies.
Gray trout are staged up over deep water structure. Heavier (2-3 oz.) Blue Water Candy Thingamajigs or Sam’s ‘Gitter Rigs tipped with shrimp or Fish Bites should work in enticing bites.
Inshore, as the mullet runs begin, both the speckled trout and red drum will be fired up. Each time the tides move, the bait moves, and these two species will be very active in their feeding patterns. Anglers can find fish by riding around looking for birds working shrimp or surface swirls. Once locating a target area, toss topwater baits (such as Spooks) or popping corks rigged with live bait, cut bait, or scented artificials on jig heads.
Justin Flythe, of Conway, NC, caught this 42″ king mackerel from the jetty in Beaufort Inlet using a live mullet on a 2/0 circle hook.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that running up Adam’s Creek and targeting the lower Neuse River out into the Pamlico Sound is producing plenty of slot-sized red drum, black drum, and sheepshead. With bait all over the area, cut baits and live shrimp have had success putting keeper fish in the boat.
When in these same areas, anglers should be looking to hook into a trophy-class red drum, but catches have almost strictly come from soaking bait.
Spanish mackerel and false albacore ae starting to show nearshore.
Tyler, of Drumroll Charters, reports that a bunch of puppy drum are around, from the Morehead area to the sound and over to the mouth of the Neuse River. Red drum anglers are having a lot of success using artificials and casting on flats and to shoreline points.
False albacore fishing has started to get really good in the area. Fish are being found from the east side of Cape Lookout on south past Atlantic Beach. A lot of fish are also outside Bogue Inlet. Smaller Stingsilvers or Clouser flies are producing most of the action. The fish are very much up and down in the water column. They will surface but then quickly dive and move to another area. Start looking within one mile off the beach.
Spanish mackerel are showing up in better numbers, and they’re often mixed in around the schools of albies.
The king mackerel action is finally starting to pick up, with some 15-20 lb. class fish being found from the beach out to the 8-9 mile range. Natural and live baits work best, but spoons have also had a lot of success.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that wahoo fishing has been a little slow. With temperatures cooling down and weather patterns stabilizing, anglers anticipate the wahoo bite picking back up shortly.
A few smaller blackfin tuna are still mixed in the trolling action.
The fleet has seen a strong sailfish bite in the 600’+ depth range.
Anglers looking to stop over some of the deeper bottoms are loading up the fish box with triggerfish and good-sized vermilion snapper.
