Pamlico October 25, 2012
Stephen Suits, of Greenville, NC, with a 22.5″ flounder that bit a Gulp shrimp in a marsh near Beaufort while he was fishign from his kayak.
Tim, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that there’s been some excellent action in the Haystacks lately, where anglers are connecting with speckled trout, red drum, and a few flounder. Live shrimp and mud minnows on popping cork rigs are fooling most of the fish, but anglers are also hooking up on topwater plugs in the early morning hours.
There’s also been good trout and puppy drum action in the local creeks, and some black drum are falling for live shrimp in the same areas as well.
Radio Island is also producing a solid speckled trout bite, and Gulp baits and MirrOlures along with live shrimp have been tempting the trout to bite there.
Gray trout, sea mullet, spot, pigfish, and other bottom feeders are looking for meals in the turning basin and around the railroad tracks. Spec and bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms will fool all the bottom feeders, and anglers can also hook the grays on jigging lures like Stingsilvers.
Speckled and gray trout are also on the feed around both sides of the Atlantic Beach Bridge, where soft plastics and live baits are getting the job done.
The Cape Lookout jetty trout bite has also turned on over the past week, with slot and smaller puppy drum a welcome bycatch. Live shrimp are producing the most action around the rocks.
Paul Butler with a healthy speckled trout that he hooked off the Neuse River near Oriental while fishing with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Some flounder are still looking for meals around the port and railroad tracks. Live finger mullet and mud minnows are the way to go for the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel action has slowed down, but anglers are connecting with plenty of bluefish while trolling and casting metal lures around the inlet and up and down the beachfront.
Surf casters at Fort Macon are finding excellent action with puppy drum, bluefish, flounder, sea mullet, pompano, and more. Live and cut mullet and fresh shrimp have been the baits of choice for beach anglers lately.
King mackerel continue to make a solid fall showing in the area, with good action both east and west of Lookout Shoals lately. Live menhaden and dead cigar minnows will fool the kings, and sea buoy and Dead Tree Hole are good areas to look for them to the west. East side spots like AR-285, the 1700 Rock, Atlas Tanker, and others are also hosting an excellent bite.
Some wahoo have also been landed around the 1700 and Atlas Tanker areas recently, and the bite remains excellent at blue water hotspots like the Big Rock and Swansboro Hole.
Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout bite has been excellent at the Radio Island jetty recently. Gulp baits have been producing plenty of action with the specks, but they’ve been willing to bite a variety of baits and lures lately as well.
The spot bite around Beaufort has been sporadic, but gray trout, sheepshead, and other bottom dwellers are adding some bonus action while anglers are waiting for the spot to run. Shrimp and bloodworms on double-drop rigs are the way to go.
Michael Carawan with a 4.67 lb. speckled trout that bit a D.O.A. CAL 4″ jerkbait near Oriental. Weighed in at Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle.
Sea mullet are feeding around Beaufort Inlet and in the Dead Tree Hole, and they have trouble resisting spec or bottom rigs tipped with shrimp and bloodworms.
A few spanish mackerel are still feeding around the inlet, along with plenty of bluefish, and anglers are connecting with both while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
Surf casters are hooking some smaller flounder and red drum (ranging from under to over-slot). Cut baits and finger mullet are doing the damage on the flatfish and reds.
Thomas, of Dancin’ Outlaw Charters, reports that the wahoo bite remains strong along the break off Beaufort Inlet (and the fish have been stout lately, with many topping 40 lbs.). Blackfin tuna, a few sailfish, and a surprising late showing of large bailer dolphin are joining the blue water action. The bite’s been best in around 40 fathoms near the Big Rock and further south. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are the best bets for all the blue water predators.
Steve, of Oceanana Pier, reports that plug casters are connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotchas from the pier.
Some smaller spot are rewarding anglers bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Puppy drum (with most small but some keepers) and flounder are also feeding around the pier and taking an interest in shrimp and cut and live baits.
