Fishing Report 05/07/2015

 

We made it back from the Low Country.  Last week, we were fishing the “IFA Redfish Tour” stop in Georgetown, SC. It's been great weather here all week but last week in the low country it was cold and windy of course. But Dad and I did get the year started off right with a 10th Place finish out of 73 fishing against some of the best teams on the East Coast.  We head back to Georgetown in August for the 2ndEvent then off to Louisiana to finish out the year.

 

 

 

 

 

Inshore / Nearshore: 

I've been getting call after call about the Cobia’s, “YES” we have weighed a few fish but they were caught in the 15 mile range of the beach.  Here's the good news – the last two days we have had sightings. My bait guy saw one swimming around Beaufort Inlet and another customer saw two up at the Cape day before yesterday while fishing for Blue Fish.  It's kind of crazy as they seem to be right on track with last year. The 2nd week of May was when we weighed a ton of fish, which will be next week.  So things are getting ready to happen for the Cobia Fishing. We haven't brought in any “Live Eels” yet  but they should be in the tanks next week. I was going to get them this week but held off because of the low pressure system that has formed. 

 

 

Another fish, we've been waiting for is the Bonito and if they get here like they are now off New River Inlet it’s going to be a great year on them.  I've seen catches over the last few days that have been just crazy. Anglers going out are catching pretty much all the Bonito they want to catch.  I have a feeling that this low pressure that's moving up the coast is going to push the fish right to us.  AR 315 and AR 320 will be the best places to look unless you want to head over to the East Side because anglers have been catching them around AR285 for a month or so now.  One of the best ways to catch them around the AR’s is trolling Yo-Zuri DD’s in the smallest size and pink seems to be the go to color. Another great plug is the Rapala Deep Diver X-Rap which we have both in-stock.  The Epoxy Glass Minnow Jigs and Jig Fish Jigs are also great for them when you can find them schooling around the reefs on top.

We've seen a few Spanish making their way into our waters this week. Again, from what I'm seeing down south of us with the Spanish when they get here over the next week or so the fishing should be great.  Bluefish have been all over the place this week.  Earlier this week there were schools after schools along the beach feeding on top and hitting just about anything you put in front of them. Also, the Cape Lookout area is holding plenty of Blue Fish to catch.

Albacore fishing is starting to pick up more on the west beach, they've been doing very well over on the East Side of the Cape for a few weeks. The best action has been down around Bouge Inlet but same as the Bonito I have a feeling this low is going to pull them right up the beach. It's hard to beat casting the Epoxy Jigs for Albacore they love a Glass Minnow and there's nothing more lifelike than that jig in the water.

Flounder are starting to get around AR315 and AR320, we weighed in one that went over 8lbs this week that was caught off AR320 jigging a Spro 2zo Glow Bucktail tipped with a Berkley 4” White Shrimp.  Also, there's been some nice catches over on the East Side at AR 285.  From now on, the reef Founder fishing will only get better and better.  I've not heard of that many on the inside yet but we have been seeing some. I know the giggers have been having some good nights so they're definitely around. When looking on the inside waters, I would be fishing with Live Mud Minnows. 

We're finally are starting to see some Redfish moving into the marsh areas like the Haystacks and Core Creek.  There's still good action in the Swansboro Marsh and I've seen some action in the Neuse River this week on the Drum.  Last week, some anglers were lucky enough to run across some very large schools hanging just off the beach with most of the fish being well over the slot.  Since, we've had some very warm weather this week I'm starting to hear about some Top Water action on Rapala Skitter Walks and Mirrolure Top Dog Jr’s and Top Pups.

Sheepshead are still making their way in the Inlet as one customer caught a 8lb'er this week jigging in the Inlet for Gray Trout. The bridges are already holding a few fish. I've been getting a lot of calls about fiddler crabs. If everything stays good weather wise after this low pressure passes we should have them in stock mid next week.  Then Live Sea Urchins will follow very soon after the crabs.

There's still catching some Sea Mullet in the Turning Basin and along the beaches. Also, there's plenty of Gray Trout in the mix too. Still Sam’s Gitter Spec-Rigs tipped with Bait Shrimp or Fishbites are working the best.

 

 

Piers / Surf:

If you like to Pier Fish and Surf Fish, NOW'S THE TIME, over the next few weeks we'll have some of our best fishing from the Surf Zone. Just this week, the pier anglers are starting to see some Spanish move in. Each afternoon, they've been catching a few. As far as, Blue Fish they've been pretty plentiful over the last week. Most have been plugging GOT-CHA plugs to get the best action. But you can catch plenty of Blue Fish with a Bluefish rig baited up with some cut mullet fished off the bottom.  This week, we've seen some nice Black Drum moving along the beach. We've weighed in a few over the 5lb range.  Bait Shrimp fished on the bottom is the way to go when trying for some Black Drum.

 Also, there's been a few nice Red Drum being caught up at Fort Macon Rock Jetty on Cut Mullet or Finger Mullet fished on a Drum Rig.  As far as the bottom feeders, the piers are still seeing a good run of Sea Mullets and Puffer Fish off the bottom. This season by far has been one of the best on the Sea Mullets we have seen from the Surf in a few years.  Bait Shrimp and Fishbites fished on the bottom with a bottom rig have been getting plenty of action.  It's that time of year if you are heading to the pier you better have a set up ready with a 2oz Cobia Bucktail ready to go on a rod. You never know when you might see some swim by but you have to be rigged up ready to cast before they move on.

 

 

Offshore:

The bite has been getting better and better each week, Capt. Steve from the shop has headed out over the last two weeks and each trip has brought back plenty of Dolphin. We've seen some in as close as the 90ft Drop but the best action seems to be on top of The Big Rock north.  Steve is keeping his boat behind the shop now, so we'll have very up to date reports of what’s going on in the Blue Water and so far he has proven that he can get the job done.  I guess working with one of very best Blue Water Captains over the last two years Dave Tilly, he has picked up a few tricks of the trade.  

Also, we're seeing some nice Wahoo and a few Black Fin Tuna along with a Yellow Fin now and then. Steve even had a Sailfish in this week’s trip so the Billfish are starting to show up. We've been having our best luck on Island Lure Saillure, Jr’s and Seastars and we just got a “Custom” order of Islanders this week. Also, we have been working in the offshore section this week making sure we have everything you need to have a great day Offshore and we now have you covered. Rigged up with Small and Medium Ballyhoo you just can't go wrong.

The bottom fishing is doing pretty well on the ledges around the 14 Buoy and over on the East Side of the Cape. Grouper Season opened last week and we have already been weighing them in at the shop this week.  Anglers are also catching Trigger Fish, Sea Bass, B-Liners and AJ's off the bottom.

 

 

Braggin Board: 

 

 

 

 
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