Morehead City October 1, 2009
Bill Laghinghouse, from Atlantic Beach, and Tim "The Trout Man,' of Chasin' Tails Outdoors with a pair of 6-7 lb. spanish mackerel they hooked on live finger mullet at AR-315.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the red drum bite is still on in the marshes of the Haystacks, Core Creek, and the Newport River, and anglers are hooking the fish on live baits under popping corks, spinnerbaits, Gulps, and topwater plugs.
Anglers are also catching good numbers of reds around ICW docks, and cut and live baits seem to be producing best under the docks.
Some speckled trout are mixed in with the reds in the Haystacks and Core Creek, and the coming week of cold weather should trigger the trout bite to turn on strong.
Flounder fishing’s been good as well, and anglers are hooking up with good numbers of keeper flatties (though less doormats than in the summer) around the Harkers Island Bridge and behind Shackleford. Live finger mullet or mud minnows on Carolina rigs are producing most of the flatfish action.
The ocean flounder bite’s been on as well, and live baits or bucktail/Gulp combinations are producing good numbers of fish around AR-315 and other nearshore structure.
Anglers bottom fishing around the port wall and in the turning basin are hooking up with a mixed bag of black drum, pigfish, spot, croaker, and whiting. Shrimp on bottom rigs are drawing most of the bites.
Anglers are finding good numbers of gray trout (up to 20”) in the inlet and around the Coast Guard Station. Spec rigs tipped with shrimp and Stingsilvers or other jigging lures are producing action with the grays.
Spot are showing up, and anglers had some good runs on Oceanana Pier last week.
The spanish mackerel bite is still on, and anglers caught good numbers from the piers and boats. Live-baiting around the AR’s is producing excellent action with large spanish (5+ lbs.) as well.
King mackerel are feeding alongside the big spanish and in the shipping channel (up to 15-20 lbs.). Live pogies are the way to go for the kings.
Offshore, the wahoo bite’s been solid near the Big Rock when boats can make it out. Skirted ballyhoo are attracting most of the attention from the wahoo.
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Susan Chapman, of Pine Knoll Shores, with her first sheepshead. The fish fell for a sea urchin at some inshore structure near Morehead City.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that good numbers of spot are finally showing up, and the best fishing’s been around the turning basin, Gallants Channel, the Duke Marine Lab, and the Beaufort Bridge. Not only are the fish numerous, the average size has been impressive as well. Bloodworms, artificial bloodworms, and shrimp on bottom rigs will attract attention from the spot.
Puppy drum are feeding in the Middle Marsh and other area marshes, and anglers are hooking up with them while casting live baits or a variety of lures.
Anglers are hooking up with some sizeable flounder while fishing from shore near the rocks at Fort Macon. Live baits on Carolina rigs are the ticket for the flatties.
Spanish mackerel fishing has slowed down a bit along the beaches, with most of the fish a bit smaller than a few weeks back. Trolling Clarkspoons or other lures will fool the spaniards that are around. The larger spanish are feeding along the edge of Lookout Shoals, and anglers are hooking them on live baits.
Offshore, the wahoo bite has slowed down a bit, but anglers are still catching a decent number in the vicinity of the Big Rock. Some dolphin and blackfin tuna are in the mix as well. Trolling skirted ballyhoo will draw bites from the wahoo, dolphin, and blackfins.
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Gwen Tadasco with a spanish mackerel that fell for a Gotcha plug off the Sheraton Pier in Atlantic Beach.
Shane, of Fight N Lady, reports that the wahoo bite is still solid out in the Stream, and anglers are also hooking up with some sailfish. The action’s been best in around 40 fathoms lately, and anglers are hooking the fish on ballyhoo beneath Blue Water Candy Witches and Mini-Jags in blue/white and red/black.
Bottom fishing around structure in 20-60 fathoms is filling the fish boxes with triggerfish, beeliners, groupers, and other bottom dwellers.
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Charlie, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that king mackerel (many 25+ lbs.) are feeding on the wrecks and other structure west of the shoals, and live pogies will draw them to bite.
Large spanish mackerel (5+ lbs.) are feeding at the artificial reefs and will fall for live mullet on the surface.
Inshore, the speckled trout and puppy drum bite is heating up in the bays and creeks. Soft plastics or plugs will fool both fish.
The big red drum bite in the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound has slowed down considerably, but anglers may see one more push of big reds move through the area before the action’s done for the season.
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Willis, of Oceanana Fishing Pier, reports that plug casters hooked good numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel last week when the water was clean.
The spot runs are getting better, and anglers are catching good numbers on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms. Some croaker and small flounder have been mixed in with the spot.
