Morehead City – August 31, 2017
Matt, of Chasin Tails Outdoors, reports that flounder fishing has continued to produce fish up to the 5+ lb. class. Most of the larger flatfish are being landed near the turning basin on live minnows on Carolina rigs.
Redfish in the 20-24” range have been plentiful in the marsh. Tossing topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits have all worked well. Those targeting reds have also hooked into a few nice speckled trout in the same areas.
Around the Neuse River, the big drum bite has started to pick up. Anglers have landed good numbers of fish on popping corks and cut bait, and the fishing should continue to get better.
Sheepshead have continued to hold around area bridges, docks, and the port wall. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins have been the top baits.
In the surf, anglers tossing cut baits have found decent numbers of slot red drum, as schools of reds have been working the beach. Those fishing the bottom with sand fleas and fresh shrimp have hooked in to good numbers of large pompano. Many of the pompano weighed in have hit the 3 lb. mark. Casting jigs from the beach and piers has produced good numbers of spanish and bluefish.
Nearshore, those trolling Clarkspoons have found plenty of action with keeper spanish and bluefish. The spanish and blues have also been schooled up around the cape, and casting jigs to busting fish has been a productive way to land quality fish.
Smaller kings have been present near the beach. While most fish landed have been on the smaller side, numbers of the “smoker” kings have been increasing each day.
Those heading offshore have narrowed their focus to wahoo. Between Swansboro Hole and the Big Rock area, the bite has started to pick up for those trolling.
On the bottom, anglers have had success targeting 100′ of water for triggerfish, black sea bass, amberjacks, and limits of grouper.
Andrew Hartfield with a 63 lb. wahoo that was caught trolling offshore of Morehead City.
Cody, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that those plugging from the beach and piers have hooked into plenty of spanish and bluefish action. Tossing Stingsilvers and Gotcha plugs has been the best method. Those fishing the bottom in the surf have landed good numbers of red and black drum. Most of the reds have hit fresh cut mullet, while the black drum have preferred fresh shrimp. Anglers have also caught a few croaker and small flounder.
Live shrimp and finger mullet hooked on a Carolina rig has been the ticket to landing limits of red drum in the marsh. Targeting marsh banks and points has worked best. Black drum have also been feeding well inshore. Live shrimp fished around dock and oyster structure has been the key to landing keeper fish. A few flounder have been in the mix as well, but most of the flounder have been on the smaller side, with just a few keepers being landed.
In the Neuse River, the big drum bite has turned on. Throwing popping cork rigs with Z-Man and D.O.A. plastics has worked well (in addition to rattletraps). When the big reds won’t hit artificials, anglers have had luck fishing fresh cut mullet on the bottom.
Just off the beach, the spanish and bluefish bite has been steady. Most fish have hit a trolled Clarkspoon, but anglers have also had success casting out jigs to busting fish. A few flounder are still being hooked around the nearshore reefs, but the bite has slowed down quite a bit. Most anglers dropping baits near reefs and wrecks nearshore have hooked in to more sharks than anything else.
Snake kings have been feeding well out to the 10 mile range, and dead cigar minnows have been the best method.
The wahoo bite offshore has slowed down, but anglers covering good amounts of water have found a few fish. A handful of blackfin tuna and sailfish have been in the mix as well, but most fish have been scattered.
Those dropping to the bottom have boxed good numbers of keeper grouper, beeliners, and triggerfish.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that flounder fishing inshore has produced good numbers of keeper fish. Most anglers have caught plenty by dropping live finger mullet on a Carolina rig near the port wall.
The redfish bite has also held steady inshore, as anglers tossing soft plastics and live baits have found plenty of action.
The old drum have also started to move inshore. Those chasing these trophy fish have had luck throwing popping cork rigs as well as fresh cut mullet on the bottom.
Just off the beach, the spanish bite has heated up. Trolling Clarkspoons has produced the best numbers of fish.
Offshore in 120-130′ of water, the bottom fishing action has kept anglers busy. The main targets have been beeliners, african pompano, and grouper. Anglers have had the most success by both vertical jigging and dropping live baits.
Bill Lambeth with an 18 lb. 6 oz. gag grouper that took live bait in 72′ of water. He was fishing with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that the nearshore flounder bite on the reefs and wrecks has been consistent. Anglers dropping bucktails tipped with Gulp and Z-Man plastics have landed good numbers of keeper fish.
Trolling #0 silver Clarkspoons has produced high numbers of spanish just off the beach.
In around 60′ of water, amberjacks, barracudas, grouper, triggerfish, and black sea bass have been feeding well. Targeting ledges and wrecks has been the key to finding a good bite. Live pinfish, cut squid, and Breakday Cuda Noodles have all worked well.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw, reports that the wahoo and blackfin tuna bite has held steady in the 30-50 fathom range. Most anglers have found good numbers of fish south of the Big Rock area and have generated bites while using Blue Water Candy sea witches.
The king bite has been hit and miss. Trolling dead baits has produced a few good fish in around 100′ of water.
Spanish (and bluefish) are holding right along the beach. Those trolling Clarkspoons have found steady action.
Larry, of Oceanana Pier, reports that sea mullet has been the most consistent bite for anglers fishing from the pier. Fresh shrimp and sand fleas have worked best.
Schools of jack crevalle have also been feeding near the pier, and tossing jigs has worked best for them.
