Morehead City November 13, 2008
Carl Edwards, from Morehead City, with the 6.45 lb. speckled trout that has taken the lead in the Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Trout Challenge. He caught the big trout in the Core Creek area on a live shrimp under a float rig.
Tim, of Chasin Tails Outdoors, reports that the Haystacks are still hosting a hot bite for speckled trout (some to 6+ lbs.) and red drum (most 18-24″). The fish seem to be keyed in on shrimp, and live shrimp beneath popping corks, DOA and Billy Bay artificial shrimp, and Gulp baits are producing the most action.
Anglers are also finding excellent trout fishing in the creeks, particularly Core Creek and Spooner’s Creek, and the bite is beginning to get hot at the Cape Lookout rock jetty, too. Live shrimp under floats should produce action with the trout wherever they are.
Surf casters are picking up specks and reds while casting MirrOlures and soft plastics to the deep sloughs along Shackleford Banks and around the rocks at Fort Macon.
Some black drum are feeding at the Fort Macon rocks, too.
Gray trout have been feeding heavily at the Lookout jetty and underneath the Atlantic Beach bridge. Live shrimp are fooling the grays as well.
A lot of flounder have been coming from the port wall (including and 11 pounder weighed in last week). The key to the flatfish action seems to be fishing with live finger mullet on Carolina rigs. The only problem: the mullet are getting tougher and tougher to come by as the water cools down.
Bottom fishermen have been finding fast action around the port wall as well, landing spot, gray trout, and some big croakers. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or spec rigs tipped with shrimp should produce action with the tasty bottom feeders.
A few sheepshead are still feeding around the bridges and at the port wall, and at the bridges, where fiddler crabs or sea urchins should temp them to strike. Anglers are also catching good number of sheepshead while trout fishing at the Lookout jetty.
The 1700 Rock, Atlas Tanker, and other spots east of Lookout Shoals are still producing some big king mackerel (some 40+ lbs.) and a few fat wahoo. Live baits are top choices for the biggest kings, and anglers who can’t catch pogies should be able to troll or jig up some bluefish, which are also very effective.
Bottom fishermen are still landing grouper around the 1700 Rock. Grouper, sea bass, triggerfish, and beeliners are feeding at the ledges near the 210 and 240 Rocks. Cigar minnows and other larger baits will appeal to the grouper, and anglers can target the other bottomfish with squid.
Carl Griffith, of Swansboro, with the 6.03 lb. second place trout in the Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Speckled Trout Challenge. He caught the big speck in the Neuse River on a float-rigged live shrimp.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout (some to 5 lbs. and larger), along with a few gray trout are still feeding well back in the marshes. The Cape Lookout jetty is producing action with plenty of gray trout and scattered specks.
Artificials have been producing good results on the trout lately, with MirrOlures and Gulps the top choices. Live shrimp underneath floats are also very effective.
Gray trout and whiting are feeding along the bottom from the inlet to the turning basin and the port wall. Bottom rigs or spec rigs tipped with shrimp will draw attention from both, and anglers can also target the grays with jigging lures like Stingsilvers or Shore Lure Glass Minnows.
Not many boats have been offshore lately, but the headboats have been producing good catches of bottomfish including sea bass, grouper, and triggerfish.
The first confirmed bluefin tuna in the area was landed last weekend on the east side of the shoals, a 78″ fish between 350-400 lbs. As the water cools down, anglers can look forward to these giants feeding within 10-15 miles of the beaches.
Luke and Timothy Glennon, of Morehead City, with a catch including 9 lb. 7 oz. and 7 lb. 1 oz. speckled trout. Photo courtesy of Freeman’s Bait & Tackle.
Shane, of Fight N Lady, reports that the wahoo bite has been a little tough lately, with the best (although scattered) action to the south around the Swansboro Hole. The best fishing lately has been in the 35-40 fathom range, and ballyhoo under lures in dark colors like red/black have been most effective.
Closer to the beaches, the king mackerel bite has been excellent at all the rocks and ledges within 20 miles of shore. Trolling spoons is producing fast action with the mackerel, and the deeper baits have been attracting attention from some gag grouper as well.
The first bluefin of the year was caught last week, and it shouldn’t be long until the main body of fish shows up for the winter. Anglers hook the bluefins by trolling horse ballyhoo under large Blue Water Candy Jags and other lures, but those who haven’t done it before would be wise to take a charter to learn the ropes, as these gigantic fish can be very dangerous to even experienced anglers.
Ruth, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are still hooking decent numbers of spot on bottom rigs baited with bloodworms.
Those baiting up with shrimp have been finding action with whiting and flounder.
