Morehead City October 11, 2007
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are landing plenty of gray trout in the turning basin, along the port wall, and around the railroad tracks. Spec rigs tipped with cut shrimp are the top producers, and these rigs are also drawing bites from some nice whiting.
Spot are feeding well around the Beaufort drawbridge, and they will pounce on bloodworms fished on multiple hook bottom rigs.
Speckled trout are feeding in the Haystack marshes and around the bluff near Spooner’s Creek. The specks are taking an interest in both Gulp baits and live shrimp.
Red drum are also chasing bait in the Haystacks, and anglers are finding some nice reds in the ICW around the Core Creek Bridge and at the Radio Island Rocks as well. Gulp baits or live, Carolina-rigged finger mullet will tempt the reds to bite.
Flounder fishing has been a bit slow in the area over the past weeks, but anglers are still catching some fat 5-6 lb. flatties along the port wall on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and mud minnows. Boats are also finding some flounder around the Atlantic Beach Bridge, in the Haystacks, and in the ocean around AR 315.
Some big spanish mackerel (5+ lbs.) and bluefish are also feeding at AR 315, where they’ll fall for smaller finger mullet and pogies trolled on top.
King mackerel (averaging 15-20 lbs.) are feeding well in the Beaufort Inlet shipping channel. Live pogies are the top king baits, and boats have been landing as many as 20 per day recently.
Further offshore, boats are hooking plenty of wahoo between the 90’ Drop and the Big Rock. Ballyhoo under purple/black skirted lures are producing most of the wahoo bites, and the fish are averaging 20-30 lbs. Some sailfish are also feeding in the same areas, and they will fall for the ballyhoo as well.
Bottom fishermen are finding good action with grouper and large sea bass around the Big 10/Little 10. Cigar minnows will tempt strikes from the grouper, while squid and cut baits are tops for the sea bass.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that bluefish and spanish mackerel fishing along the beach has been fantastic lately. The fish are feeding on an unusual abundance of finger mullet, and anglers can troll Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers to locate the fish, then cast Stingsilvers or other lures to hook up on lighter tackle.
Some kings are also feeding on the abundant bait near the beaches.
Surf and pier anglers are hooking up with spot, large croaker, a few whiting, and pompano.
The spot are also showing up near the Beaufort drawbridge and in the turning basin. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp are the top spot producers.
The high-rise bridges are holding some speckled trout. They’ll strike live shrimp or a variety of lures.
The winds have been keeping many offshore boats at the docks, but those that have been out are hooking up with some sailfish within 10 miles of the beach. Wahoo are also plentiful out in the blue water (when boats can get to them).
Shane, of Second to None Charters, reports that the wahoo bite remains strong. Most of the fish are 20-30 lbs., with some larger ones (up to 50+ lbs.) mixed in. The action has been best in the upper 400’s to lower 500’s in around 40 fathoms.
Good numbers of sailfish are mixed in with the ‘hoos, and boats are also picking up a few blackfin and yellowfin tunas. Ballyhoo beneath pink Blue Water Candy Mini Jags have been drawing the most strikes from the Gulf Stream predators recently.
Joyce, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are pulling spot and whiting over the rails. Bloodworms are the top bait for both. Anglers baiting up with shrimp are also landing a few pompano.
Those fishing live baits on the bottom are landing decent numbers of flounder.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
