Morehead City May 31, 2007
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that cobia fishing is on in the Hook. Some cobia are also feeding along the port wall. Fish up to 92 lbs. have been caught over the past week, with most hitting dead menhaden fished on the bottom.
At AR315, anglers are catching nice flounder on Carolina-rigged mud minnows. Gray trout are also feeding near the bottom at the reef, and they will strike jigged Stingsilver lures.
Cast and retrieve Gotcha plugs near the surface to hook up with spanish mackerel and bluefish while flounder and gray trout fishing. Spanish are running the beach as well, and hitting gold Drone spoons.
Around AR320, boats are finding good numbers of smaller kings and catching them on live baits.
Near the Big 10/Little 10, anglers dropping cigar minnows are hooking up with gag grouper, some up to 35 lbs.
The dolphin bite has been hot near the 90’ Drop. Yellowfins are still feeding further out near the Big Rock.
Inshore, the flounder are holding under the railroad tracks and high rise bridge. Mud minnows on Carolina rigs are drawing bites from flatfish up to 5 lbs.
Red drum are schooled up in the Haystack Marshes. The best drum baits are frozen finger mullet and live mud minnows. Some speckled trout are still in the Haystack, and they are taking an interest in mud minnows too.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports excellent cobia fishing in the Hook and around the inlets. Some nice cobia have also been caught in the marshes of Newport River and the Middle Marsh.
The cobia will take a variety of baits, both live and dead. Pogies, pinfish, bluefish, and crabs all make good baits, and anglers should fish some lines on the surface and on the bottom for the best chances of a cobia hookup.
Plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding along the beach. Anglers are catching them by trolling Clark spoons, squid rigs, Yo-Zuri Deep Divers, and by casting plugs from the piers.
Red drum are feeding in the surf zone, and they will strike cut baits and shrimp.
Dolphin are plentiful 30 miles and further offshore. A small skirted ballyhoo is too much for most dolphin to resist. Out in the blue water, boats are still picking up a few wahoo and tuna along with boxes of the gaffer and smaller dolphin.
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports that dolphin fishing has been excellent. The hottest action has been in 18 to 30 fathoms of water between the Swansboro Hole and the Big Rock. Most of the dolphin are gaffers, and anglers are averaging 50-60 per trip.
A ballyhoo underneath a Blue Water Candy Mini Jag in blue/white or cotton candy colors has been the hot dolphin bait.
Billfish are starting to make an appearance as well, and blue marlin have also been in the baits this past week.
Ken, of Swell Rider Charters, reports that dolphin fishing is hot. Some dolphin have moved inside of 20 miles, but the best fishing has been in the 20-25 mile range. Most of the fish are gaffer size.
Ballyhoo underneath blue/white Sea Witches and skirted cedar plugs have produced the majority of the dolphin strikes on the troll, and anglers are also catching dolphin by casting jigs to weed lines.
The bottom bite remains strong, with plenty of triggerfish, beeliners, and silver snapper filling up the fish boxes. Squid and cut baits are getting the most bites, and the action is hottest in around 125’ of water.
Willis, of Oceanana Pier, reports bluefish are biting like crazy. Choppers (up to 12 lbs.) along with plenty of smaller blues have been caught over the past week, and they’re hitting bottom rigs, live baits, and Gotcha plugs.
Spanish mackerel (up to 5 lbs.) are also biting the Gotcha plugs.
A 26 lb. false albacore was caught on a live bait last week.
Bottom fishermen are catching a solid mix of whiting, gray trout, pompano, and flounder on cut shrimp.
