Morehead City – September 15, 2016
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that the nearshore spanish mackerel bite remains red hot just off of area beaches. Most of the spanish are 1-3 lb. fish schooled up just outside the inlets. The large citation class spanish mackerel are still around, too, but anglers are having a harder time finding them due to the dirty water left behind from Hermine.
Offshore flounder fishing has picked up recently, with good numbers of fish being caught on nearshore reefs and ledges. Live mullet on a Carolina rig or 2 oz. Spro bucktails tipped with 4” white Gulp shrimp have been producing plenty of bites from the flatfish.
Inshore, the Port wall and area bridges have been popular spots for finding hungry flounder. They are also being caught under ICW docks and in mainland creek mouths.
The sheepshead bite has improved recently with both large numbers of fish being weighed in and good numbers of 7+ lb. fish coming to the scales (despite the dirty water inshore). The Port wall, bridges, the railroad tracks, and heavy ICW docks are potential homes for this crustacean lover. Sea urchins, shrimp, or fiddler crabs are the best ways to fool sheepshead, as well as any black drum that may be in the same area.
Surf zone anglers are reporting increasing action on the beach with the cooler water since the passing of Hermine. The mullet run has started, and this has brought a mixed bag of species close to shore. Bluefish and spanish mackerel have been caught at the point at Fort Macon by anglers casting heavy shiny jigs like Kastmasters and diamond jigs. Red drum and flounder have also been caught, with good numbers of both showing up just behind the breakers in deep sloughs. Live or cut mullet on fish finder rigs are producing the majority of the action with both species.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the offshore wahoo bite has been excellent for anglers making the run out to the Gulf Stream. Mixed in with the wahoo are plenty of blackfin tuna that are taking an interest in the same baits. Naked or skirted ballyhoo fished near temp breaks, rips, weedlines, or any floating structure should get the attention of any fish in the area. The mahi bite has been very scattered, with most boats struggling to find any.
Closer to shore, the spanish mackerel bite remains excellent, with large numbers of 1-3 lb. fish feeding from just off the beach out to the 10 mile range. Anglers are reporting success casting to schools of feeding fish from first light until about 10:00 am. False albacore are also schooled up with the spanish mackerel and are feeding on the same bait balls of glass minnows just outside the inlet. Trolling spoons behind a planer or teaser bird will tempt bites from both species throughout the day when they cannot be found busting bait.
Anglers surf fishing for red drum report that the action has been either excellent or nonexistent. The mullet run is in full swing which has brought plenty of reds to the beach, but getting them to bite has proven difficult some days. Live or cut mullet on a fish finder rig or Carolina rig with a short leader and large circle hook is the best way to tempt bites from these sometimes finicky reds.
The inshore red drum bite has been consistent in the Middle Marsh and Haystacks, as well as under ICW docks. Soft plastics on jig heads and live baits on Carolina rigs have been productive throughout the day.
Ronald Hodges, of Morehead, with two flounder that were weighed in at ChasinÂ’ Tails. The largest fish weighed in at 5.53 lbs., and both were caught on live minnows fishing around the Coast Guard area.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been excellent just off the beach in areas like the shipping channel and south of Cape Lookout. Live baiting with small menhaden or large mullet on scaled down king rigs will tempt bites from the scattered citation class fish that are still in the area but reluctant to bite.
Small kings and false albacore are also in the same area as the spanish and will take interest in the same baits.
Paul Jobe, with Samuel Jobe, caught (and released) this 32” red drum in the surf on Atlantic Beach on a sand flea.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that red drum fishing in area marshes has been excellent, with large numbers of upper-slot fish being caught. Live bait on Carolina rigs or soft plastics on popping corks have been producing the best action when fished near grass banks, mudflats, and oyster beds. The reds are also following the mullet out of the marshes, and anglers should target them in those marshes closest to area inlets.
Offshore, anglers have been connecting with a mixed bag of species while bottom fishing in 70-130’ of water. Gag grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, and black sea bass are all taking interest in live baits like pinfish and mullet fished on Carolina rigs, but they will also take interest in bucktails tipped with cut bait or Gulp shrimp.
Trey Sadler, of Lowland, with a 26 lb. king mackerel caught off Bogue Inlet Pier on live bait.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Sportfishing Charters, reports that that wahoo fishing has been excellent in the Big Rock area and south towards the Swansboro Hole. Large ballyhoo fished skirted or naked is the most common method for connecting with this toothy species, but they will also take interest in high-speed baits like cowbells and Yo-Zuri Bonitas.
Large blackfin tuna are being caught in the same area as the hoo’s, and they will take the same baits but prefer smaller ballyhoo or a variety of artificial lures.
The dolphin action has been slow, but anglers are still finding a few bailer mahi just past the break.
Bailey, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with excellent numbers of upper-slot red drum on live and cut baits fished on Carolina rigs and fish finder rigs near the middle of the pier just behind the breakers.
Spanish and bluefish are being caught early and late in the day on Gotcha plugs near the end of the pier.
The water is 78 degrees.
