Fishing Report 08/18/2016

Still dealing with the “Dog Days” of summer but the fish are still pretty active, can’t wait for some cooler weather which we should start seeing in the next few weeks. I'd like to say, we're on the way to fall with Labor Day just around the corner.

Inshore / Nearshore:

Anglers have been gearing up for the Old Drum in the Neuse River, there's been some fish caught over the last week. With the full moon we're having this is usually the kick off of some real good fishing. So far, there's been a few fish caught from the mouth of Adams Creek down toward the Point of Marsh. Most of what we're hearing, has been Cedar Island beach is the area as the fish are working their way back into the river.

Both bait fishing and artificial fishing has been producing these monster fish. For soaking bait Fresh Mullet and Menhaden will be your best bet. We have plenty on hand at the shop ready for this weekend’s action, along with plenty of Old Drum rigs made ready to go. As far as, the artificial fishing goes: the DOA Airheads, Z-Man 7” Jerkshads and the Rattle Traps will get the job done. Look for pods of bait to fish around or work the drop offs to find fish.

Also, we have been seeing some smaller Red Drum working the marsh areas from the Haystacks back up toward the Core Creek area. Any creek or grass flat right now might be holding fish. I get ask a lot where’s the best place, the key to fishing Redfish in the marsh areas is covering water and looking for fish. Once you find a few usually you can work on them for a day or so before they get too smart or move on.

Spanish bite this week has been the best at the Cape Lookout area, winds have been pretty good for anglers to get out into the ocean and anglers have had no problem finding fish in that area. There's been a few fish caught in front of the AB Beach and around the Beaufort Inlet area but the majority of fish are hanging at the Cape. Trolling Clarkspoons on #1 Planers have been working the best, along with Bird Rigs on top. Once the water starts cooling down, the fishing will get really good, all it will take is some north winds that we usually start to see in September. Still seeing the larger fish at the AR reefs 315 and 285 both seem to be holding the most numbers. Live Finger Mullet has been working the best and we have been having some in the tanks at the shop to sell. Also, you can catch them on Cigar Minnows slow trolling Dead Bait Rigs.

I've not heard all that much on the King Mackerel this week, but it's tournament week and anglers are keeping tight lipped about the bite. But really nothing has changed as far as the best locations: the East Side of Cape Lookout, AR285, 1700 Rock, East Rock and Drum Inlet areas is where you're going to locate the larger fish but it’s getting about time for the big fish to show up in the Shipping Channel area. There's been fish hanging around AR315 and North West Places also. Live Bait and Dead Cigar Minnows both are working for the best for action; anglers have had some luck pulling Spoons and Yo-Zuri DD’s.

Still some steady Flounder action going on, drifting up around Cape Lookout has been producing some fish. Also, drifting AB Bridge back toward the Turning Basin area has been producing some nice fish. Live Mud Minnows seem to work best on the drift. Also, fishing docks and bridges will be good areas to look for Flatfish. One of our Charter boats went out yesterday at the reefs over on the East Beach and had good luck using Spro 2oz Bucktails tipped with Berkley Gulp. Over on the West Beach – AR315 seems to be the best place to find fish using the same bucktail set-up for action.

Still seeing some nice Sheepshead, not all that many anglers fishing for them this week with the heat but still some being caught. AB, Beaufort and Harker's Island bridges are all holding fish, really just depends on what area you want to fish. You always can find fish around the Port Wall too; there's always fish holding in that area. We have weighed a few in over the 8lb mark from there this week. Live Sea Urchins and Live Fiddler Crabs will be the best baits and we have both in-stock ready for action.

Trout Man from the shop hit the AB Bridge this week checking on the trout action and it’s been pretty good. Decent action during the day but the best of it has been at night. Fishing Live Shrimp and Stingsilvers both are producing plenty of action. From what Tim is telling, we should see a great fall at the bridge, he said he's already catching fish in the 3lb class range which usually not the case in this hot weather.

Piers / Surf:

Seeing some action but this week things have been kind of slow from the beach, best action has been Red Drum and Sharks. Fishing “Fresh Mullet” along the beaches has been working well along with cut Menhaden. We have both in-stock at the shop ready to go, along with the rigs you need.

As for the piers, still seeing a few Spanish Mackerel from the guys plugging off the end, early in the morning and late into the day at sunset seems to be the best time to fish. As for the bottom feeders a few small Sea Mullet, Croakers, Hogfish, Puffer fish and a few Flounder.

During these few weeks in August it's always the slowest time to fish from the surf but that's all going to change in a few weeks as we move into some of the best Surf action for the year.

Offshore:

Wahoo bite still continues to be pretty good, like I've been saying with these fish showing up this early who knows how good the fall bite might be when the big numbers of fish push into our waters. Best areas have been the 90ft Drop out and down south toward the Swansboro Hole. Just the other day, we weighed a nice Hoo in that came from the North west Places which is pretty close in to find a Wahoo this time of the year.

Still seeing a few Dolphin being caught but it's been kind of slow, we will get another push of fish to catch as the water cools down going into fall as the fish head back south, so keep that in mind.

The bottom fishing has been great, best action seems to be on the East Side in 100ft of water. Anglers were having no issues catching limits of Groupers, also catching Trigger fish, Sea Bass, Amberjacks, Snappers and Cobia. Sardines, Menhaden, Squid, Squid Wings and Cigar Minnows have been the best bait when fishing at the bottom grounds. For sure – you'll have no problem finding some action.

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