Morehead City – June 9, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are connecting with a new wave of cobia making their way up the North Carolina coast, and there are some large fish in the mix. Anglers are connecting with the cobia both sight casting and bottom fishing around area inlets and behind Shackleford Banks.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been excellent recently, especially around Cape Lookout where they are being found in tight schools. Trolling #00 – #1 Clarkspoons behind a 2-3 oz. trolling weight or #1 planer will allow anglers to locate the schools of fish.
Fishing live baits has been especially effective at producing larger 4-6 lb. fish when anglers are able to locate feeding schools.
Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spanish, and they can be caught using the same methods.
Flounder are being caught on AR-315, AR-320, AR-330, and other nearshore reefs, ledges, and structure. Using 2 oz. bucktails with a 4” Gulp shrimp in white or new penny is the best way to target the offshore flatfish, but they will also take an interest in live mullet or mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs.
Surf anglers are also connecting with flounder and red drum, but the majority of the surf zone action is coming from bluefish, croakers, black drum, and pompano. Fresh shrimp on a bottom rig will fool all six species, but anglers can also connect with them using a variety of different artificial baits fished on jigheads.
Offshore, anglers are still connecting with large amounts of gaffer dolphin, with fish being caught from 15 miles out. Areas such as the 14 Buoy and the 90’ Drop are holding plenty of mahi and the occasional wahoo for anglers trolling a variety of artificial lures, as well as skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Further offshore past the break, Gulf Stream trollers are reporting blue marlin and sailfish in areas like the Big Rock and Swansboro Hole.
Hannah Hughes, of Thomasville, with her first spanish mackerel. The fish was caught off the Atlantic Beach on a Clarkspoon in 40Â’ of water.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that area marshes and creeks are producing reds and speckled trout for anglers patient enough to search for the many small schools of fish in the area. Red drum are dominating the catch in areas like The Haystacks and Middle Marsh, but they are in small schools of 3-6 fish that can be spotted patrolling grass banks looking for an easy meal of crabs, mullet, or shrimp.
Anglers fishing the port walls and area bridges are reporting black drum and large numbers of sheepshead. Fishing live fiddler crabs, sea urchins, or clumps of barnacles close to structure on a Carolina rig is the best way to connect with both crustacean lovers.
Gray trout, sea mullet, croakers, and bluefish are being caught in large numbers in the Turning Basin. Double drop bottom rigs or spec rigs baited with fresh shrimp, squid, or Fishbites is the best way to target all four species. The grays and bluefish can also be targeted more effectively using small metal jigs like Diamond jigs and Stingsilvers
Since the passing of Tropical Storm Bonnie, the cobia fishing has resumed full force. Anglers are finding success hooking the cobia in and near area inlets, behind Shackleford Banks, and near Cape Lookout. Tossing live eels to cruising fish will get their attention, but on windy days or days when they cannot be spotted, menhaden fished on the bottom and top while chumming can really save the day.
Spanish mackerel fishing is red hot just offshore of the beaches, with most anglers catching their limits of fish in just a short time.
Offshore bottom fishing remains consistent with black sea bass, beeliners, triggerfish, grouper, and snapper being caught in areas past 80’ of water. Bottom rigs tipped with squid or cigar minnows will tempt bites from all of these bottom feeders.
Theoria Johnson, of the Hot RodZ Ladies Fishing Group, with vermillion snapper, ringtails, and triggerfish that she caught while bottom fishing on the head boat “Capt. Stacy” in Atlantic Beach.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of mahi as close as AR-330, where they can be taken on a variety of trolled artificial lures, skirted or naked ballyhoo, and topwater poppers. King mackerel and amberjack are also being caught in the same areas and will take an interest in the same baits.
Also at the nearshore artificial reefs are large numbers of flounder that are moving in from offshore. Spro bucktails tipped with white Gulp shrimp is a surefire way to connect with the flounder as they make their way inshore.
Cobia are being spotted patrolling the beaches, especially around tidelines just outside of area inlets. Slow trolling live menhaden near the break of dirty and clean water may fool a hungry cobia looking for an easy meal.
Nikki Duffell with her first mahi. The fish was caught near the Big Rock on a stubby bubbler daisy chain while fishing with Capt. Chris Saunders.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that area flounder fishing has been excellent at areas just off the beaches. AR-315 and AR-320 are producing some large flounder up to 6 lbs. Live menhaden, mullet, and mud minnows fished on a Carolina rig will get the attention of any flounder looking for a meal just off of the heavy structure provided by these reefs. Using 2-3 oz. bucktails tipped with soft plastics like curly tail grubs or shrimp will also put fish in the boat.
The cobia fishing continues to be excellent, with anglers connecting with plenty of fish while sight casting and fishing live or dead baits while chumming.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Charters, reports that offshore anglers are finding red hot action with gaffer dolphin while fishing areas offshore of the Northwest Places. Trolling live baits and a variety of trolling lures are producing plenty of action when anglers can find temperature breaks, weedlines, or current rips.
Mixed in with the mahi are blackfin tuna and wahoo, and they seem to be more prevalent further offshore.
Past the break, anglers are finding some billfish action with steady numbers of blue marlin and sailfish being released ahead of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
Larry, of Oceanana Pier reports that anglers are catching bluefish and spanish while working Gotcha plugs from the end of the pier. Bottom anglers are catching sea mullet, croakers, and pompano while soaking Fishbites and fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
