Morehead City September 17, 2009
Capt. Chris Kimrey, of Mount Maker Charters out of Atlantic Beach, with a large gag grouper he hooked at some bottom structure off Beaufort Inlet.
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding the cooler weather has improved the puppy drum and speckled trout bite in the Haystacks. Anglers are hooking the fish on live baits, topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, Gulps, and other lures. The drum and trout action’s also been hot around Core Creek, the Newport River, and other inshore spots.
Some flounder are mixed in with the reds and specks, but the flatfish bite’s been even better around the port wall and near the inlets, as the fish seem to be headed back out to the wrecks and reefs in the ocean. Live baits on Carolina rigs and Gulp-tipped bucktails will fool the flatties.
The gray trout action is picking up in Beaufort Inlet and around the railroad tracks. Anglers are hooking the grays on Stingsilvers, spec rigs tipped with shrimp, and live shrimp. Some large specks have been mixed in with the grays.
Spot, croaker, and pigfish are feeding around the base of the port wall, and anglers are filling up coolers while dropping bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some large Hatteras bluefish (8-10 lbs.) are showing up around the port wall as well, and they’ll take an interest in live baits or a variety of lures.
Out in the ocean, the flounder bite is still strong around the AR’s, and anglers are hooking the fish on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and Gulp-tipped bucktails.
Spanish mackerel (many 4-6 lbs.) are feeding around AR-315, and anglers are hooking big numbers while free-lining live finger mullet on the surface.
Big kings (30+ lbs.) have begun to show up around the AR’s and particularly around the structure east of the shoals. Live baits like pogies are the top choices for the kings.
Bottom fishing at structure east of the shoals has been producing fast action with large beeliners (up to 5+ lbs.), triggerfish, and sea bass lately, mostly on squid baits.
Â
Alyce McDonald with a flounder that fell for a live finger mullet in the Haystacks.
Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been excellent lately (and anglers are seeing some large fish over 5 lbs.). Surprisingly, even the larger, generally warier fish have been biting trolled Clarkspoons. Small live baits are an even better way to tempt the largest spanish to strike.
The gray trout bite gets better by the day, and anglers are catching most of the fish in the inlet and around the Coast Guard station, with a few coming from the Turning Basin. Spec rigs tipped with shrimp are fooling most of the grays.
The speckled trout bite is good right now, and it will only get better as the water continues to cool off. Once it’s below 75 degrees, the fishing should be in full swing. Live shrimp are the top baits for the specks.
Spot are starting to show up, and anglers caught good numbers of them around the Beaufort Bridge last week. Bloodworms are fooling most of the spot.
Surf anglers found plenty of action with bluefish along with the occasional whiting and red or black drum last week while fishing around Fort Macon.
The Sheraton Pier saw an excellent red drum run last week. Live finger mullet and cut mullet will tempt the reds to bite.
Offshore, Gulf Stream trollers reported a decent sailfish and wahoo bite last week. Some dolphin are still out in the blue water as well. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures are the top baits for the blue water predators.
Â
Johnny Hallow, of Greenville, NC, with his first sailfish. He hooked the 72" sail while trolling ballyhoo 10 miles south of the Big Rock on the "Frequent Flyer" with Capt. Alan Willis.
Charles, of Old Core Sound Guide Service, reports that big king mackerel (30-40 lbs.) have begun to show up around Cape Lookout, the Beaufort shipping channel, and the wrecks and rocks east of Lookout Shoals in the last few days. Trolling live pogies or other baits is the way to fool the kings.
Some large spanish are mixed in with the kings and will fall for the same baits. Anglers can also hook the spanish, and plenty of bluefish that are around, while casting Deadly Dicks and other metal lures.
Speckled trout are starting to show up in the rivers and the sounds. The bite will only improve as the weather cools off, and anglers can hook the specks on MirrOlure 17, 19, and 27 MR’s.
Puppy drum are feeding in the bays, and topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and scented soft plastics like Gulp and Trigger-X baits will fool them.
The bull drum bite is still on in the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound, and it should stay solid until mid-October. Fishing large chunk baits around drop-offs and shoals will attract attention from the big reds.
Large schools of spot are moving south through the sounds and will soon be pouring out into the ocean.
Â
Shane, of Fight N Lady, reports that the blue water bite is finally turning on strong. The best action has been south of the Big Rock at spots like the Rise, where anglers are finding action with wahoo, sailfish, and yellow and blackfin tunas. Most of the action’s been in 40-50 fathoms.
Ballyhoo under Blue Water Candy Mini-Jags and Witches has been producing most of the action on all the blue water fish.
Â
Willis, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some pompano and spot on shrimp. Plug casters are finding some action with bluefish and a few spanish mackerel.
