Morehead City September 27, 2012
Micheal Aloia, Jr., and Michael Aloia, of West Jefferson, NC, with a trio of wahoo (the largest 42 lbs.) they hooked around the Big Rock while trolling ballyhoo. Photo courtesy of Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that there’s been some excellent spanish mackerel action in the turning basin this week, with some anglers limiting out without ever heading toward the inlet (and most fish 18-20”+). Trolled Clarkspoons are producing most of the action, but anglers are connecting with some fish between the inlet and turning basin while casting small metal lures like Glass Minnows and Jigfish to fish feeding on the surface.
Some larger spanish mackerel are feeding in the inlet and at nearshore structure like AR-285 and AR-315. Live baits are the best bets for the bigger fish.
Some false albacore are feeding around Cape Lookout shoals, and they’re vulnerable to the same tactics as the spaniards.
King mackerel action is picking up on the east side around the Atlas Tanker, 1700 Rock, 30 Minute Rock, and the Summerlin Reef, with a few fish feeding in the shipping channel as well. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will both fool the kings.
Wahoo action is still going strong at offshore spots like the Big Rock and Swansboro Hole, with anglers also connecting with some fish around the 1700 Rock. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the ‘hoos.
Back on the beach, there’s been some excellent beach fishing at Fort Macon, where fish are feeding on mullet pouring out the inlet. Bluefish, red drum, and (occasionally) spanish mackerel are feeding within range of surf casters. Finger mullet and cut mullet on bottom rigs and metal jigs and spoons are producing results at the Fort.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some spot, sea mullet, and pompano on shrimp and bloodworms along the beachfront.
Inshore, sheepshead are still feeding around hard structure like bridge and dock pilings and at the port wall, though not many anglers have been fishing for them. They’ll be schooling and easier to catch as the water cools, and fiddler crabs and sea urchins are the baits of choice.
Flounder continue to feed around the port, at the nearshore reefs, and in the local marshes. Live mud minnows and finger mullet along with Gulp-tipped bucktails will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Speckled trout are on the feed in the Haystacks, Core Creek, Middle Marsh, and the North River marshes. Live shrimp and Gulps are fooling the specks, and the bite will improve as the water continues to cool.
Eddie Whitford, of Morehead City, with a pair of spanish mackerel (the larger 6.6 lbs.) he hooked on a silver Gotcha plug behind Shackleford Banks while he was fishing with his wife Leslie.
Spot and sea mullet are beginning to show up in the turning basin, and anglers should be able to put together some solid catches. Bloodworms and shrimp fished on spec or bottom rigs will attract plenty of bites from both.
Paul, of Freeman’s Tackle, reports that there’s been some excellent red drum action off the beaches lately, but it seems schools of fish are moving through and anglers could experience several hours of inactivity before a school moves in and eats anything they can cast. Finger mullet and cut baits are producing most of the action and also tempting bites from big numbers of bluefish in the area.
Anglers casting shrimp and bloodworms into the breakers are connecting with a mixed bag of spot, croaker, pompano, sea mullet, black drum, and more.
Spanish mackerel are feeding all over the area from the turning basin to the nearshore reefs and east side of the shoals. Trolling Clarkspoons is producing the lion’s share of the fish, but anglers are hooking the largest examples on small live baits fished around the reefs and shoals.
Offshore, the wahoo action has been red hot for boats making the long run to the break. Skirted ballyhoo are putting most of the fish in the box.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Charters, reports that the wahoo fishing has been incredible along the break lately, with the best action in 30-40 fathoms this past week and many boats catching limits. Surface lines, deep baits behind planers, and a variety of skirted lures combined with ballyhoo have all been effective on the wahoo lately.
Sailfish have been in the mix with the wahoo (with some days producing big numbers of sightings and releases), and anglers are hooking them on both skirted and naked ballyhoo.
Steve, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some fat sea mullet along with big numbers of pinfish while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits under the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas.
