Morehead City May 10, 2007
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that red drum are feeding in the Haystack marsh and the North River. Some trout are mixed with the drum, but the warming water is chasing them to the rivers. Try Gulp baits, spinner baits, and mud minnows under popping corks to score with the drum and remaining trout.
Nice sized flounder are making an appearance, and good catches are coming from the port wall and nearshore reefs. Mud minnows are the flounder baits of choice.
Gray trout are still around the bridges and Turning Basin, and anglers are catching some larger ones. The gray trout will take an interest in Gulp Baits or spec rigs tipped with either shrimp or Fish Bites bloodworms.
Bonito are crashing bait in the very early mornings at the nearshore reefs. Stingsilvers and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will tempt the bonito to strike.
Blues are feeding along the beach and in the inlet, and some spanish mackerel are showing up as well.
Surf and pier fishermen are scoring with pigfish, blues, whiting, and some spots. A bottom rig offering shrimp, squid, Fish Bites, or mullet will fool these bottom feeders.
Gulf Stream action remains hot when boats can get there. Yellowfins, wahoo, dolphin, and kings are all holding in the Big Rock area.
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports that Gulf Stream action has moved south to the area between the Big Rock and the Swansboro Hole.
The wahoo and tuna bite continues to be good, and lots of gaffer dolphin have arrived to join the fish box party. The fish are running fat, with wahoo up to 80 lbs., yellowfins between 40-60 lbs., and dolphin 20+ lbs.
Some blue marlin and sailfish are also around to thrill anglers between meat fish bites. Medium ballyhoo trolled beneath blue/white, red/black, and purple/black Bluewater Candy skirts are the most productive baits to drag. Most of the action has been inshore of the 100 fathom curve in 50-60 fathoms.
Bud, of See Ya Charters, reports that chopper bluefish are making an appearance on the artificial reefs off Morehead City. Atlantic bonito are also feeding on the reefs.
In Beaufort Inlet, smaller blues are hitting anything and everything.
Ken, of Swell Rider Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been good over the past few weeks. Big triggerfish and grunts are biting well, and large knot head sea bass are chewing like crazy in 80 to 110’ of water.
Gulf Stream trolling has been productive. Large numbers of dolphin have arrived, and anglers are catching some big wahoo as well.
Lots of king mackerel are hanging around the Big Ten. Most are on the small side.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and bonito are off the beaches and feeding heavily.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that 30-40 lb. cobia have arrived and begun to feed in the hook of Cape Lookout. Chum heavily and fish dead blues or menhaden on the bottom to hook up with the cobia. Cobia fishing in the hook will get better by the day as the water warms up.
In the inlets, spanish mackerel and piles of bluefish have taken up residence and will pounce on trolled Clark spoons.
Gray trout are holding beneath the bridges. Vertically jigging a Stingsilver or other metal lure will produce hook ups with the grays.
In the marshes, anglers are finding plenty of red drum and boating them on Gulp baits.
The winds have kept many anglers from venturing into the ocean, but those who have made it out the inlet have caught some bonito.
Blue water action with tuna, wahoo, and dolphin remains steady when the wind lays down enough to get out to the stream.
Myrtle, of Oceanana Pier, reports good bottom fishing for whiting, black drum, and small spots. Shrimp are producing the best bottom fishing results.
Fishing live mud minnows on the bottom is producing some flounder, but most are small.
Bluefish are around and falling for plugs.
The water temperature is 62 degrees.
