Morehead City September 13, 2012
Trey Brooks with a 56 lb. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo off Beaufort Inlet while he was trolling near the Yancey on the "C-Beagle."
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers who’ve been able to get out the inlet lately have been catching big numbers of spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons and casting Sea Striker Jigfish and other metal lures to fish working on the surface. As summer turns to fall, the fish will begin schooling up even more tightly and feeding with abandon as they prepare to head south for the winter.
Larger spaniards are feeding around all the nearshore AR’s and structure east of Lookout Shoals. Live baits like menhaden and finger mullet are the way to go for the bigger fish.
False albacore have begun to show up around Cape Lookout, and the bait is very thick. Casting small Jigfish or Glass Minnow lures to fish busting bait on the surface is the way to hook up with the feisty tuna relatives.
Flounder fishermen have been putting together some solid catches inshore around the port wall, bridges, docks, and other structure, and in the channels behind Shackleford and in the ICW. Live mud minnows are producing most of the flatfish action. There are still good numbers of flounder feeding at the nearshore reefs as well, where 2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits are producing results.
Sheepshead are starting to school more tightly as the water begins to cool, and they’re still feeding around the port wall and bridge and dock pilings. Fiddler crabs and sea urchins are the best bets for anglers looking to connect with the sheeps.
Big numbers of small (15-18”) red drum are feeding in the marshes and creeks, and they will pounce on live shrimp or mud minnows. Though the fish are sublegal now, the big numbers are very promising for the future of the fishery.
Don Gray, of Newport, NC, with a triggerfish he hooked on cut squid while fishing off Beaufort Inlet with Capt. Dave Tilley on the headboat "Continental Shelf."
Anglers are connecting with some speckled trout in Core Creek and other area creeks. Most are on the small side, but there are some keepers to 3 lbs. in the mix. Live shrimp and Gulps have been the most productive baits with the specks lately.
Bottom fishermen are starting to hook some spot and sea mullet in the turning basin, with plenty more to come as the water cools off. Shrimp, bloodworms, and Fish Bites on bottom and spec rigs will fool the panfish.
Offshore, anglers reported some big king mackerel action at the 1700 Rock and other spots east of Cape Lookout Shoals. The bite will only improve as the fall wears on. Live menhaden and bluefish are top choices for the biggest kings.
The dolphin bite improved last week, with plenty of bailers for boats traveling to the 14 Buoy and beyond.
Anglers are reporting some stellar wahoo action offshore, with fish from the Big Rock in to the Atlas Tanker. Live baits are producing fish at the Atlas and other east side spots, while rigged ballyhoo and high-speed trolling lures are fooling them out along the break.
Some sailfish are mixed in with the ‘hoos.
Bottom fishermen are putting together solid catches of grouper, triggerfish, amberjacks, and more at structure in the 30 mile range. Most are baiting up with menhaden, cigar minnows, and sardines.
Cole Smith and his father Corky Odum with a 49" red drum Cole caught and released in the Pamlico Sound near Brant Island shoal. The big red struck a chunk of mullet.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have found a solid puppy drum bite around the Coast Guard Station and Fort Macon lately. Live finger mullet are the go-to baits and are also fooling good numbers of gray trout (15-20”) in the same area.
Surf casters along the rest of the island’s beaches are encountering sea mullet, black drum, pompano, spot, croaker, pigfish, and a variety of other bottom feeders. Most are falling for two-hook rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms, and anglers can expect the mixed-bag bottom fishing to get even better as fall temperatures get the fish on the move.
Spanish mackerel action has been on-and-off depending on the water clarity lately, but when anglers find clean water, they should be able to hook up with some spaniards while working Gotcha plugs or metal jigs or by trolling Clarkspoons from boats.
Inshore, the puppy drum bite is improving (with fish from under to over-slot) in the marshes around Core Creek, the Haystacks, and the Middle Marsh. Topwater plugs have been effective in the early morning hours lately, with Gulps and spinnerbaits more effective once the sun is high.
A few speckled trout are feeding in the same areas and will fall for the topwaters or Gulps as well.
Joyce, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with a few spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the pier when the water is clean.
Some sheepshead are feeding along the pilings and will fall for sand fleas or other baits fished tight to the pier.
