Morehead City – September 1, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that surf zone anglers are finding excellent spanish mackerel and bluefish action while fishing around Fort Macon early and late in the day. Both species are feeding on the large schools of mullet and glass minnows in the area, so lures that imitate these food sources are providing the best action. Stingsilvers, diamond jigs, Jig Fish Lures, and Epoxy Jigs are some of the best lures for these beachfront spanish.
Spanish mackerel are also feeding just off the beach. Anglers are finding them in large schools, and the majority of these spanish are 3-4 lb. fish with plenty of 6+ lb. fish mixed in. Live mullet are producing most of the action, but cigar minnows on dead bait rigs are also putting plenty of fish in the boat.
Chris Young, Beefy Clements, Boo Rutledge, and Pearson Misenheimer (age 6), of Durham, with mahi caught while fishing out of Atlantic Beach.
Further offshore, the wahoo bite has been excellent past the break where they are mixed in with good numbers of mahi, sailfish, and blackfin tuna. Trolling naked and skirted ballyhoo near temperature breaks, weedlines, rips, and underwater structure is the best way to connect with this mixed bag of species. The 90’ Drop, Swansboro Hole, and the east side of the Big Rock have been the hot spots recently, but anglers could connect with fish anywhere past the break that has some structure.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been excellent under ICW docks and in area marshes. The Haystacks and Middle Marshes have been providing anglers with excellent topwater action early and late in the day. Gulp baits fished on jigheads or spinner baits have also been getting the attention of these hungry reds throughout the day and is a great way to sight fish to cruising reds. On windy days anglers are having the best luck fishing live shrimp or mud minnows under a popping cork.
Chase Davis with a slot redfish that fell for a Gulp shrimp in the South River.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding excellent action with large spanish mackerel and snake kings just outside the inlet. Size #1 Clarkspoons and Drone spoons pulled behind a 2-3 oz. trolling weight or teaser bird has been putting the most fish in the boat, but for anglers looking to hook larger, citation quality fish, then live bait is the way to go. Live mullet, menhaden, and cigar minnows on scaled down king rigs are the go-to baits for the larger spanish.
Anglers fishing on the beach have been reporting a mixed bag of species. Sea mullet, croaker, and the occasional black drum have been feeding on fresh shrimp on double drop bottom rigs. Fish finder rigs baited with live mullet, menhaden, or mud minnows have been fooling red drum, flounder, and plenty of bluefish.
Inshore the fishing has been a little tough, but persistent anglers can still put together a decent day of fishing. Red drum and speckled trout have been caught throughout Adams Creek, Core Sound, Haystacks, and Middle Marshes. Topwater plugs early and late in the day has been drawing interest from both species, and popping corks baited with live shrimp or mud minnows has been getting their attention in the heat of the day.
Matt Hobson, of Greensboro, with a spanish mackerel caught in the Cape Lookout surf on a 1/2 oz. Sea Striker Jigfish.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that nearshore fishing has been producing a mixed bag of species, with spanish mackerel leading the way. Kings and bluefish are mixed in with the spanish, and they are being found anywhere from just outside the inlet out to the 10 mile range.
Anglers should be ready for anything while trolling for these heavyweight fish, as a large sailfish was caught while fishing on a school of feeding spanish. Mahi are also being caught close to shore, but they are very scattered and anglers may only find a few per day.
Richard Hummel with an overslot puppy drum caught at Fort Macon on a cut pinfish.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that anglers are still finding good numbers of flounder both inshore and nearshore. AR-315, AR-320, and other nearshore live bottoms are holding good numbers of flatfish that are taking interest in 3 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with 4” white Gulp shrimp, as well as live mullet on Carolina rigs.
Anglers are also hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel and kings by drifting live baits like menhaden or large mullet on small king rigs behind the boat while bottom bouncing for flounder.
Inshore, the port wall has been providing the best action, with live mud minnows on a Carolina rig being the bait of choice. ICW docks are also holding flounder, as well as red drum that will take interest in the same baits.
Charlie Morgan (age 8), of Holly Springs, with a speckled trout caught near Core Banks. He was fishing with Capt. Tom Roller of Waterdog Guide Service.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing Charters, reports that the strong wahoo action just past the break is well worth the drive to get there. Mixed in with wahoo are small blackfin tuna, sailfish, and the occasional mahi. A variety of trolling lures, cigar minnows, and dink ballyhoo both skirted and naked will tempt bites from all four species, but horse ballyhoo or live bluefish will put the larger wahoo in the boat.
Lisa Rayburn, of Jacksonville, with a king mackerel caught while fishing the 90Â’ drop out of Beaufort Inlet.
Larry, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are hooking the occasional red drum, speckled trout, and flounder while fishing live mullet or mud minnows on fish finder rigs. Bottom anglers are catching sea mullet, croaker, spot, and black drum while soaking fresh shrimp and squid on double drop bottom rigs.
The water is 81 degrees.
Kenneth Trull, of Davidson, with a 10.65 lb. sheepshead caught fishing the port area using a live sea urchin.
