Morehead City August 25, 2011
Charlie Aman, from Statesville, NC, with an 8.5 lb. flounder that bit a live mud minnow near some heavy structure around the Morehead waterfront. Photo courtesy of Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the flounder bite is still going strong inshore. Anglers are hooking big numbers of the flatfish at the nearshore artificial reefs, and the majority of the keepers are taking an interest in 2 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with Gulp baits.
The bite’s also been good inshore (with less fish but some 8-10+ lb. doormats in the mix). The port wall, bridges, ICW docks, and channel edges are all holding fish. Anglers are hooking them on live baits and bucktail/Gulp combos inshore.
Sheepshead are still feeding around the same hard structure inshore where anglers are finding flounder. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins dangled next to the bridge pilings and port wall have been producing the best results on the sheeps.
Puppy drum are feeding in the Haystacks and the Core Creek marshes, but it’s still a scattered bite. Live shrimp under popping corks have been the most effective offerings for the fish that are around.
Surf and pier anglers are connecting with some sea mullet on bloodworms and sand fleas. Some flounder are also falling for live mud minnows and shrimp fished just off the beaches.
The Fort Macon rocks have been producing action with flounder, black and red drum, bluefish, sea mullet, pigfish, spot, pompano, and more. Shrimp, bloodworms, sand fleas, and live baits are tempting most of the bites.
Spanish mackerel fishing has picked back up, with many boats finding limit catches. Trolling in the inlet and towards Cape Lookout with Clarkspoons and squid rigs has been the most productive strategy. Anglers who find schools feeding on the surface are also casting small metal jigs to the fish with success.
The king mackerel bite is still a bit slow, but the fish that anglers have been catching have been large (up to a 55 pounder weighed in last week). The east side of Cape Lookout has been producing the most action with the kings, and live menhaden are the choice baits.
Gulf Stream trollers are reporting a hot wahoo bite, with the best action from the 90’ Drop to the Big Rock. Large ballyhoo under dark-colored skirts are producing most of the action with the ‘hoos.
Dolphin fishing has also improved a bit, and anglers reported action (with fish to 20 lbs.) from the NW Places to the Big Rock last week.
Bottom fishermen are still connecting with good catches of sea bass, triggerfish, grouper, and other bottom feeders at structure in the 25-40 mile range. Cigar minnows, squid wings, sardines, and mackerel have been the best baits.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the wahoo bite was excellent last week. Anglers found action with the ‘hoos at blue water spots like the 90’ Drop and the Big Rock, and there were also good numbers caught closer in to Cape Lookout at spots like the Atlas Tanker. Both skirted ballyhoo and live baits have been tempting bites from the ‘hoos.
A few blackfin tuna and dolphin are mixed in with the wahoo in the blue water.
Spanish mackerel fishing slowed down along the beachfront a bit last week due to the turbid water, but the action should be back on track whenever it clears back up. Anglers did find some spanish feeding in the turning basin. Trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal jigs like Shore Lures to feeding fish is the way to hook up with the spaniards.
Dylan and Marc Gottlieb with a pair of 4 lb. spanish mackerel that bit live menhaden just off Beaufort Inlet.
Surf anglers are connecting with a mixed bag of bottom feeders including spot, sea mullet, and pompano. Shrimp and bloodworms are getting their attention. There have also been decent numbers of reds feeding in the surf lately.
There’s still plenty of action for anglers flounder fishing inshore (but many of the fish are on the small side). Live baits and Gulps will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that the giant red drum fishing in the Pamlico Sound is going strong and will get even better after the storm blows through this weekend. Fishing large cut baits around shoals and bottom structure off of Cedar Island is the way to connect with the big reds.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are making a stronger showing in the marshes than they have been. Topwater plugs and MR17 MirrOlures will get their attention.
Anglers are catching solid numbers of flounder around Point of Marsh while casting soft plastic baits towards the shorelines.
Jerry, of RockNRoll Charters, reports that anglers are catching some spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling Clarkspoons. The bite’s been better in the turning basin and the ICW than outside the inlets lately.
Alice, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Some sea mullet, spot, and flounder are falling for baits fished on the bottom.
Royce, of Sheraton Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of sea mullet during the incoming tides. Sand fleas have been the best baits lately.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Some flounder (many 3-4 lbs.) are taking an interest in small live baits fished under the pier.
