Morehead City August 9, 2007
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that flounder action is consistent around the port wall and out at AR315. Live mud minnows are drawing the majority of the flounder strikes, but anglers are also hooking some fish on Gulp baits. Most of the flatfish are keepers, and anglers weighed in several up to 5 lbs. over the week.
Red drum are still actively feeding in the marshes, particularly in the Haystack and North River. They’re chasing mullet and shrimp in the shallows around oyster rocks and grass beds, and will fall for topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, or live mud minnows and shrimp fished under popping corks. Anglers are catching an occasional speckled trout along with the reds.
Sheepshead are still holding close to the structure at the port wall and around the bridges. Sea urchins and fiddler crabs dangled next to the wall or the pilings will attract their attention.
Surf fishermen are landing a typical summertime mixed bag of spot, whiting, pompano, flounder, croaker, and drum. Shrimp, squid, and bloodworms are all effective baits in the surf zone.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are schooled up and feeding in the inlets and along the beaches. Clarkspoons will produce fast action with both species, but anglers looking for the larger spanish will have best results slow trolling live pogies.
Practically all the artificial reefs and ledges in the area are holding some king mackerel (in a variety of sizes from snakes up to 30 lbs.). Live pogies and cigar minnows will produce the best results on the kings right now.
Dolphin fishing has slowed down since the early summer run, but boats are still finding some around the 14 Buoy. Live baits and rigged ballyhoo are top dolphin producers.
Boats fishing for kings around offshore structure have been pleasantly surprised by some wahoo recently.
Boats are landing more wahoo out around the Big Rock, along with sailfish and white and blue marlin. Ballyhoo rigged underneath skirts are the top baits for blue water trolling.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding good numbers of slot-sized red drum in the North River and around Core Creek Bridge. Live baits on Carolina rigs will draw strikes from the drum, as will a variety of artificial lures.
There are still some speckled trout feeding in the inshore waters. The trout bite has been best at night.
Boats are landing good catches of flounder around AR315 and AR320. Carolina-rigged live baits will tempt the flatfish to bite.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been very hit-or-miss lately, with some boats landing limits and others catching only one or two fish. Trolled Clarkspoons will put the fish in the boat when they are feeding.
Boats are bringing in good numbers of kings, but anglers have been tight-lipped as to where due to all the upcoming tournaments.
Sailfish are feeding between the 90’ Drop and the Big Rock. Around the Rock, boats are landing good catches of wahoo as well. Anglers should troll ballyhoo for the best results with sails and wahoo.
Ken, of Swell Rider Charters, reports that wahoo fishing has been very good recently. The fish are scattered throughout the area of the Big Rock, and the best action over the past week has come in around 30 fathoms of water. Some nice-sized dolphin are mixed in with the wahoo.
The kings have moved back offshore, with the best bite for big fish taking place around the R14.
Joyce, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking decent numbers of whiting while baiting up with cut shrimp.
Those fishing small live baits on the bottom are landing a few flounder.
Plug casters are enjoying a solid bluefish and spanish mackerel bite.
The water temperature is in the 80’s.
