Morehead City August 10, 2006
Matt, at Chasin Tails Charters, reports that a good spanish bite has been going on. All the fish you want are located from the inlet to Cape Lookout. The early morning is working the best (with gold clark spoons). Most of the fish are coming in about 30 to 40 feet of water.
Red drum are still going strong. On high tide you can sight fish for them. On low tide, look around for holes and oyster bars with bait on them. Find the bait, and the drum are not far behind.
Speckled trout are still around. The bigger fish seem to be doing better at night. Live bait, Gulps, and DOA shrimps are working the best.
The flounder bite has been up and down. There are still a few coming from AR315, AR320, and around the bridges inside.
A few gray trout are around, and the turning basin seems to be where they are hanging out. Spec rigs tipped with a small piece of shrimp will catch a few.
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports wahoo, wahoo, and more wahoo. Areas inshore of the break, particularly between 17 to 19 fathoms, are the places to find them. Medium ballyhoo with red/black or purple/black skirts are the ideal baits.
Some sailfish are mixed in with the wahoo, so do not be surprised if a bill pops up in the spread.
Kings and dolphin are mixed together around Jerry’s Reef and the rocks south of 13. Drone spoons and ballyhoo with sea witches are both productive.
There are plenty of spanish mackerel in the inlet and near Cape Lookout.
George, at Carolina Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder fishing is still doing very well. The turning basin, nearshore artificial reefs, as well as the shipping channel have been producing the bigger fish.
Live baits are working well, but using Berkley Gulps has been just as productive.
Spanish mackerel have been biting very well early and late in the day near the lighthouse and just outside the inlets. There are bluefish mixed in with the spanish in these areas as well.
Bigger sea mullet (1 to 2 pounds) were caught this week, so try the deeper channels and the surf for some sea mullet, pompano, and croaker.
Dolphin are being caught just a few miles offshore, with the Northwest Places being the best and closest spot to look for both kings and dolphin.
Paul, at Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that puppy drum continue to be active in the marshes. The Middle Marsh, Haystack, and North and Newport Rivers are excellent places to look for them. A live peanut pogy or finger mullet is the surest bet, but artificials such as Gulp baits, spoons, and Redfish Magic spinner baits can cover more water.
Big kings are finally on the beach, and they will take live baits or trolled spoons and plugs. There have also been several kings caught on the port wall.
Dolphin are around the Northwest Places and Big 10/Little 10. Trolled ballyhoo are the go-to bait for them.
Some sailfish have also been reported from the Northwest Places.
Out in the gulf stream, wahoo and white marlin await anglers trolling skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Helen, at Sportsman’s Pier, reports black drum, puppy drum, spot, whiting, and trout up to 4 lbs. biting shrimp fished on bottom rigs. A 28 lb. 7 oz. red drum was also caught and released this week.
Flounder up to 19” are biting small live baits on Carolina rigs.
Some sheepshead have been caught this week on sand fleas.
Keeper spanish mackerel and bluefish are hitting plugs.
No kings were caught this week.
The water is 85 degrees.
