Morehead – March 26, 2015
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that anglers are still waiting on spring temperatures to kick the inshore bite into gear along the Crystal Coast, but there has been a bit of action for persistent anglers.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and creeks around Morehead City, with the Haystacks producing some of the best fishing recently. Anglers are hooking some of the reds on Gulp baits, but they’ve been a bit reluctant to bite lately. Live mud minnows, cut mullet, and other natural baits are producing results when the fish turn down the artificials.
David Turley, of Atlantic Beach, with a citation 5.94 lb. speckled trout that bit a dead finger mullet in the surf at Fort Macon.
Bottom fishing in the surf and at nearshore structure in the ocean is producing plenty of action with spiny dogfish. Water temperatures are rising, and some puppy and black drum should be showing up in the surf zone along with the spinies very soon.
Ben Taylor with a 33″ red drum he caught and released after it struck a swimbait in Taylors Creek at Beaufort.
Sea mullet and pufferfish are also due to make their spring appearance off the shoreline. All the surf bottom feeders will bite shrimp and cut baits on double-drop rigs.
Offshore, bottom fishermen are finding some of the best action of the year at spots 30-40 miles out of the inlets. The 14 Buoy area produced some of the best action last week, with black sea bass, triggerfish, beeliners, ringtails, and more filling coolers of those who made the run. Squid and cut cigar minnows have been producing the best results on these smaller bottom dwellers.
Structure closer in like AR-330, and AR-285, NW Places, and Atlas Tanker are also producing some solid sea bass catches but not many of the other fish.
Not many anglers have been trolling offshore recently, but there should be opportunities at wahoo, blackfin tuna, and possibly some yellowfins for anglers making the run to the break in the coming weeks. All the blue water predators will take an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are reporting rumors of small bluefish, pufferfish, and sea mullet feeding just off the beachfront in the area, but no confirmed big catches have happened yet. The water is 53 degrees, and once it rises a few more the panfish bite in the surf should be on. Shrimp and bloodworms will fool both the puffers and mullet.
Some red and black drum should also be showing up in the surf zone over the coming weeks and biting shrimp and cut baits.
Anglers are finding some schools of red drum in the local marshes but having a tough time getting them to bite on many days lately. Artificials fished very slow along the bottom may tempt them to strike, and anglers can up their odds with cut mullet, live mud minnows, or other natural baits that the fish can sniff out in the cool water.
Out in the ocean, boaters are reporting some large schools of false albacore 10+ miles out. They’ll be moving closer to the beaches as the water warms, and anglers should also see some Atlantic bonito in the area before April ends. Both of the speedy tuna relatives will strike trolled spoons or small casting lures like diamond jigs.
Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent in the 30-40 mile range recently. Anglers are reporting triggerfish, beeliners, black sea bass, and other tasty bottom fish along with some larger predators like cobia and amberjacks while dropping baits to structure in that range. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits are all prime choices for the bottom dwellers.
Not many boats have been trolling offshore lately, but those who’ve been are finding some scattered wahoo action while trolling skirted ballyhoo.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some red drum in the local marshes, but getting them to bite has been tough lately.
Some speckled trout are feeding in the local creeks. Anglers are hooking decent numbers on some of the nicer days recently, with MR17 MirrOlures and soft plastics on 1/8 oz. jigheads fooling most of the fish.
Water temperatures are warmer east of Cape Lookout than the west, and anglers are reporting some early flounder action at the reefs and wrecks on the east side. Bouncing bucktail jigs tipped with soft plastics around the structure is how most anglers are connecting with the flatfish.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with a few puppy drum while working artificials and soaking baits in the local marshes.
Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent for boats targeting structure 30+ miles out, where black sea bass, beeliners, triggerfish, and more are filling the coolers. Squid and cut baits are tempting most of the bottom feeders.
