FISHING REPORT 09/02/2016

It's been a slow week down at the beach, schools are back in and we've been dealing with a storm system and now it looks like another is on its way. What we're seeing Hermine is going to be long gone by Saturday afternoon, by Sunday morning they're calling for Sunny Skies and Light Winds. I guess it's good we are going to have a 3 day weekend since Saturday isn't looking that good to be out on the water. But on the bright side of things, the fishing has been great this week and should be just as good once this storm passes or better.

 

Inshore / Nearshore:

The Spanish bite has been great over the last few days with plenty of fish just outside of the inlet in front of the Fort Macon area.  Also, I've heard of plenty  fish feeding up around the Cape Lookout area.  Nick, from the shop went out to AR 315 yesterday and found plenty of action on the Spanish and small Kings. Trolling Spoons, Live Bait fishing with Live Mullet and casting small Jig Fish Jigs or Glass Minnows Jigs all have been working well.

I've not heard that much on the King Mackerel bite this week, I know last weekend’s tournament was on the slow side, with smaller fish weighed in than what we were seeing a few weeks ago.  We're going to be having some stiff SW winds over the next 24 hours so that could really push some fish up to the beaches. I know of a few boats that's been fishing off the beach to find some fish so this storm could be just what the King Mackerel need to get really fired up.

Flounder fishing has been good this week, we have weighed a few nice ones at the shop.  Tim, from the shop hit the Port Wall area the other afternoon and came back with a few keepers he caught fishing Live Mullet Minnows.  Also, anglers fishing AR315 for Spanish have been catching Flounder when the Spanish bite shuts down once the sun gets up good on Spro 2oz Bucktails tipped with Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp.

The Old Drum bite last weekend was great, to my surprise there hasn't been that many anglers fishing for them this week. The few that have gone have caught fish, let’s keep our fingers crossed we don’t get too much rain in the river area to make the fish move. From the forecast that's predicted, I think we'll be alright because it’s been pretty dry. Most of the best action has been from the mouth of Adams Creek down to Point of Marsh, some anglers are still seeing good numbers also on the Harker’s Island side. We do have some Fresh Mullet lined up for Saturday afternoon once the storm passes if you're looking for bait.

I think last week was some of the best Sheepshead action we have seen this season. We had a customer fish for them over a few days and had no problem finding good numbers of fish. I think one day he caught over 40. Still this week with not many people on the water we've been weighing some nice sized fish in the 7lb range.  Still Live Sea Urchins and Live Fiddler Crabs seem to be working the best, all the Bridges, Docks, Port Wall are all holding fish.

There's been some Redfish caught up around Shark Island this week, along with a few on the Docks and up in the Core Creek area. Most anglers are catching a few Speckled Trout in the mix too, which we're really hoping for a good fall bite for the trout. Last year, was for sure an off year so with the warm winter plus what we've seen this summer it’s gearing up to be a decent year for the Specks. Anglers have been finding good numbers of Gray Trout around the AB Bridge and Railroad Tracks too.

 

 

Piers / Surf:

Nick, from the shop hit the pier a few afternoons this week looking for Spanish and found pretty good action. It wasn't the best but better than what we've been seeing over the last few weeks. We are now starting to see some mullet run the beach with the North winds. When this starts happening the Surf comes alive with fish moving taking advantage of an easy meal. Plus, he caught a few Bluefish in the mix and even saw a few Old Drum swim by the pier. 

Anglers are having some luck up on the point at Fort Macon Park with the Spanish and Bluefish. I've not heard that much from the bottom action yet we are on the verge of seeing some good Sea Mullet action along with the Spots in the very near future. Then after that run, the Speckled Trout should start working the Surf Zone for anglers to take advantage of.  

 

Offshore:

Wahoo bite is still pretty good, not heard of many boats going out this week. But last weekend most of the action was down around the Swansboro Hole with the large numbers of fish. Crazy enough, we have weighed quite a few fish that's been caught just in sight of land off the beaches, most have been on the East Side of Cape Lookout area but some have been off the West beaches also.  We had Capt. Stewart out on a Grouper trip last weekend and they got a 60lber that was just swimming under the boat and they were fishing not too far at all of the beach.  Still hearing of a few Dolphins nothing crazy and a mixed in Tuna now and then.

The bottom fishing still real good, every time Capt. Stewart has a bottom trip he comes back with a box full. He's been fishing the rocks on the East Beach and also the ledges off the West Beaches. So, it seems both sides right now are holding plenty of tasty bottom fish.  The best of the action has been in 90 to 100ft of water so keep that in mind when heading out to the bottom grounds. Hopefully, by Labor Day the seas will be back down enough to get back Offshore getting you back into the action. 

 

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