Morehead City August 26, 2010
Wayne Farrar, of Lillington, NC, with a citation-class red drum that fell for a live pogy near Cedar Island.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the spanish mackerel action is still hot in and just off Beaufort Inlet. The most productive strategy lately has been casting spec rigs, Crippled Herrings, and Sea Striker Jigfish lures to breaking schools of fish in the inlet and just offshore.
Some large spanish (to 5+ lbs.) are feeding at the nearshore wrecks and live bottoms, and they will take an interest in small live pogies or finger mullet.
The king mackerel bite has been a bit off, but anglers are still connecting with some fish in the shipping channel and at some of the east side wrecks.
Some sailfish and dolphin are feeding alongside the kings at the wrecks and structure on out to the Gulf Stream.
Bottom fishermen are finding plenty of action with sea bass, triggerfish, groupers, snappers, amberjacks, and more at structure in around 100’. Squid, sardines, cigar minnows, Boston mackerel, and other baits are the ways to go for the bottom feeders.
The flounder bite remains good both inshore and at the nearshore wrecks, reefs, and live bottoms. Anglers can tempt the flatties to bite 2 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with Gulp baits in the ocean or live finger mullet and mud minnows inshore.
Red drum are still feeding in the Haystacks, Core Creek, and around ICW docks. Lures like topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and Gulps are getting attention from the reds, and they’ll also bite live shrimp, mud minnows, and live or cut mullet.
The sheepshead fishing along the port wall and around the bridges is still solid, and anglers can fool the fish with sea urchins, fiddler crabs, clams, and other baits. Some large black drum are mixed in with the sheeps.
Anglers are picking up a few speckled trout around the area’s larger bridges at night, with live shrimp producing most of the action.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the red drum bite is still solid inshore in the area’s marshes and around the docks. Live baits are fooling most of the fish.
Anglers are picking up good numbers of flounder around deep structure and while drifting the channels behind Shackleford and in the ICW. Carolina-rigged live baits are the way to go for the flatfish.
Gray trout have moved into the inlet, and anglers are connecting with them in the deep water from the turning basin to the Coast Guard Station. Small metal jigs and spec rigs will tempt bites from the grays.
Surf fishermen are finding action with spot, whiting, and a few pompano. Decent numbers of red drum are also patrolling the surf zone and chasing mullet along the beaches.
Offshore, anglers are starting to see better wahoo catches in the area of the Big Rock. Large Drone spoons trolled deep behind planers are fooling most of the ‘hoos. Some white marlin and sailfish are feeding in the same areas and will take an interest in rigged ballyhoo.
David Kinney, of Seven Lakes, NC, with spanish mackerel he hooked on spec rigs and Sea Striker Jigfish while casting to breaking schools of fish in the Beaufort Shipping Channel.
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports that the wahoo have shown up and many boats are boxing up 7-10 per day. Trolling ballyhoo under darker-colored lures on wire leaders is the best way to go for the wahoo.
Decent numbers of white marlin are mixed in with the ‘hoos, and the best action has been right on the break near the Big Rock lately.
Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that anglers are catching plenty of large red drum and a few tarpon while fishing in the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River. Large cut baits fished on the bottom will attract attention from both fish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the marshes and near the inlets, and they will fall for live baits or a variety of lures.
Puppy drum are in many of the same places as the specks.
Willis, of Oceanana Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotchas from the pier.
Some whiting and spot are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom are connecting with some flounder.
Royce, of Sheraton Pier, reports that some whiting and a few pompano are falling for shrimp and sand fleas from the pier.
Some flounder are taking an interest in live baits.
Plug casters are picking up a few bluefish.
