Morehead City June 28, 2012
Jim Kuvaja, of Havelock, NC, with a 6.46 lb. flounder that bit a Gulp bait at the Ft. Macon Coast Guard Station. Weighed in at Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding some speckled trout and a few red drum in the Haystacks marshes. Gulp baits and live baits fished under popping corks are producing most of the action with both.
Gales and Broad creeks have been holding some specks, too, and popping cork rigs are also getting attention there.
Flounder and gray trout are feeding around the railroad tracks. Anglers are connecting with both on live mud minnows and also hooking the grays on Stingsilvers and other jigging lures.
Some sheepshead are also feeding around the railroad tracks, along with the port wall, bridges, and other inshore structure in the area. Live fiddler crabs and sea urchins will attract attention from the sheeps.
The flounder bite is turning on at the port wall as well, and anglers are still catching big numbers (with some fish 5+ lbs.) at AR-315, 320, and other nearshore structure. Live baits are top choices inshore, while 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulps will produce action in the ocean.
Surf casters at Fort Macon are connecting with some bluefish, sheepshead, flounder, and puppy drum while baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas.
Plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding just off the inlet and up and down the beachfront. Trolled Clarkspoons, squid rigs, and other flashy lures are getting attention from both.
Offshore bottom fishermen have been reporting excellent action with gag grouper, black sea bass, and other tasty bottom dwellers at structure like the 210, 240, and 305 Rocks. Cigar minnows and squid are producing the action with all the bottom feeders.
Some king mackerel have shown up around the Northwest Places and other spots in the 15-20 mile range. Live baits are top choices for the kings, but they’ll also strike dead cigar minnows or ballyhoo.
The dolphin bite has been wide open around the 14 Buoy recently, where rigged ballyhoo and baitless lures like the Blue Water Candy Jag-a-Rita will produce plenty of action.
More ‘phins are feeding around the Big Rock and at other Gulf Stream spots in the area, and anglers are also encountering some wahoo and billfish at the distant spots.
Paul, of Freeman’s Tackle, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been solid for boats trolling Clarkspoons and other small, flashy lures just off the inlet and beaches. Some larger spanish (to 5+ lbs.) are feeding around the wrecks and other nearshore structure and will take an interest in live peanut menhaden or finger mullet.
The AR’s and other structure in the ocean continue to produce some solid flounder action, mostly for anglers bouncing 2 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with Gulp baits around the structure.
Edward Radley with his first barracuda. The fish bit a skirted ballyhoo near the 90' Drop while he was trolling with his father and Jodi Bridgess on the "Tax Seavasion."
Offshore, anglers are having a difficult time trolling because of huge amounts of scattered weeds in the water, but those who can get out of the weed are putting together some good catches of dolphin and hooking a few wahoo. Both are falling for ballyhoo rigged behind skirted trolling lures.
Back on the beach, surf and pier anglers are connecting with a mixed bag of sea mullet, pigfish, spot, croaker, and other bottom feeders. Shrimp on double-hook rigs are tempting bites from all of the panfish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the Haystacks and around Core Creek, but it can take some searching to find the hungry fish. Once anglers do, live shrimp on float rigs will produce plenty of action with the specks.
Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout bite around Cedar Island has been excellent lately. It’s an early morning affair, with anglers who are on scene before sunup putting together the best catches. Topwater plugs and a variety of soft plastics on jigheads are tempting the bites from the trout. The speck action has also been good around Point of Marsh, Swan Island, and behind Core Banks.
Citation-class red drum are working their way along the shoals and into the Sound. Anglers who find feeding schools of the big reds may be able to score some exciting topwater action.
June and July are good months for the ocean fishing. Anglers are starting to see some king mackerel around the Barge Wreck, and the fish should be moving into the shipping channel soon.
Dolphin are feeding around the Northwest Places and at a variety of places along Lookout Shoals. Live menhaden and dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from the dolphin and kings.
Amberjacks have stationed themselves at the wrecks and rocks on both sides of the shoals. A large bucktail tipped with a live menhaden is tough for the jacks to turn down.
Anita, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot on rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
