Fishing Report 05/04/2017

Inshore:

Well the wait is over, we have been putting Cobia on the scales since last Saturday, we've weighed around 15 so far. Again this week, wind has played a big factor making it hard to get out in the ocean where the fish are. Yesterday was a good weather day and yes fish were caught. I talked with one customer who said he saw around 15 or so fish caught around the Cape Lookout area.

I'd say by next week and weekend there will be quite a few fish along the beaches, next week will be the exact time as last year when the big numbers of fish showed up and it's looking like everything is right on time. So far most of the fish we have weighed has been caught on Menhaden pods and turtles along the beach, anglers are just riding and looking for fish before they make a cast. We weighed a couple yesterday that were caught by anglers bottom fishing in Bardens Inlet at Cape Lookout. Already, we've been putting up fresh caught Shad like we have every year plus we have plenty of Chum on hand also.

I've been getting a lot of calls about Live Eels, we haven't brought them in yet but it's going to be very soon. We are watching the weather closely and by the next good day to get back into the ocean we should have them in our tanks ready for action. As far as artificial lures, we are all stocked up on the local custom jigs from Bowed-Up, Meat Hog, Sea Striker Bug Eyes and plenty of the life like artificial Eels which have been deadly the last few years. So, now's the time to get ready because the season is getting ready to go CRAZY.

Don’t forget we have our Cobia Challenge going on as of now, started on May 1st and will run into June. You can come by the shop or call over the phone to sign up, don’t miss out cause your catch just might win you some money. We've already weighed in a 70+ fish that could have been worth some cash if the angler was entered.

The Chopper Bluefish are still in the area in huge numbers, I can't believe the fish we've had over the last few weeks. Anglers are catching them from the beach, sight casting Top-waters and jigs. They will just about hit anything you put in front of them. We will be getting in more of the Pencil Poppers today, which have been just killing them around the Cape Lookout area. There's nothing like catching a 10+ fish on a Top-water lure, these monsters will just “crush it”. These fish should stay around for another week or so before moving on, anglers are still catching plenty south of us so who knows we could see them the most of May. Also, there's plenty of smaller fish along the beaches anglers are catching them trolling spoons and casting jigs around the inlets and beaches.

Starting to see some Bonito at the AR reefs now, usually AR315 and AR285 are going to be the best areas to fish. I heard there was a huge school last weekend just off AR315. Trolling Yo-Zuri DD's in the smallest size usually is the go to lure catching these tasty fish around the reefs. Also, you can catch them casting jigs at first light around the reefs before the fish go down.

Hard to believe that we're already seeing Spanish, some of the first ones were caught this past weekend before May 1st, which that's early in our area. They aren't here thick yet but with how things have been going huge schools of them could show up any day. The ones that have been caught so far have been on spoons behind #1 Planers. Clarkspoons will work well and we are really excited to have the new custom Bow-up Spanish spoons in the shop, these things are in great colors you don’t see in other brands and are heavy duty, make sure you check them out next time by.

The marsh areas are still holding Speckled Trout pretty good, we aren't seeing as many as we were but truthfully not many anglers are fishing for them. Now's the time to catch them on Top-water lures, early in the morning at first light has been pretty good around the marsh areas and flats. One customer this week told me he caught a nice limit of fish out in the river just a few days ago using Z-Man Plastics.

Also, you'll run across a few Red Drum while fishing for the Trout, I haven't been in the marsh looking since we just got back from the Louisiana Marsh which was off the hook; for sure a special place. But I am hearing there are fish around, seems to be more than last year so let's hope it only gets better as we move into the summer. It won't be long when we will be having our “Carolina Redfish Elite Event” first weekend of June with 30 anglers competing for over $25,000 in Cash, it's going to be an exciting event for sure.

Starting to see some Flounder move in, we weighed a few this past weekend that were caught at the Port Wall and the Deeper Channels along the inshore waters on Live Mud Minnows. The AR reefs haven't fired up yet but keep in mind it's just about time plus not too many anglers have been out jigging the reefs over the last few weeks. If you're jigging Spro 2oz Bucktails tipped with Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp will be the way to go for sure, nothing is going to out fish that combo at the reefs.

Gray Trout is being caught at the High Rise Bridges, Tim, the Troutman from the shop has been whacking them every time he goes out. Jigging the Chrome Sting-silver has been getting the job done for him. Come by the shop, he can direct you to the right areas to have fun catching plenty even though you can't keep but one per angler. Also, in the same area you can catch Black Drum on the bottom around the bridges, fishing bait shrimp on bottom rigs.

Even seen some Sheepshead action over the past week, most were on teh small size but soem anglers went home with eoungh to eat. The Port Wall area seems to be the best spot right now as teh fish are just starting to move in. We do have Live Fiddler Crabs in-stock now for the rest of the seaon, also will have Live Sea Urchins in teh next few weeks.

Piers / Surf:

I'm so glad these Chopper Bluefish have hung around for our Surf and Pier anglers, people have been having a blast catching these bait crushers. It’s just not that often throughout the year we see fish of this size and that pulls this hard from the beach, it just doesn't happen much. Sea Striker Bluefish rigs has been getting the job done rigged up with Finger Mullet and Cut Mullet, I think we carry every Bluefish Rig they make so we have plenty to choose from. Just today I know of anglers that were fishing Fort Macon Park area that simply had a blast with these fish, so don’t miss out before they head north.

I've not heard of many Spanish off the pier yet but with a few being caught from the boats we are right on the verge of the first run and when it happens it's really pretty good fishing for the anglers plugging off the pier with Got-Cha plugs. I did hear there was a school right off the pier last weekend so get ready it's right around the corner.

As for the bottom action seeing a mixed bagged of Sea Mullets, Hogfish, Croakers and Puffers coming through. Bottom fishing with Bait Shrimp, Bloodworms and Fish-bites seems to be the best way to find some action.

Offshore:

Bluewater fishing is getting ready to be very “HOT”, just this week we have started to see the Dolphin move in. Already, we've seen a few nice catches, also we weighed a nice Bull yesterday that went over 30lbs. Most of the ones we know of have been caught around the Rock but who knows they could be getting close to 14 Buoy and out. Again, the weather has kept most boats tied to the dock, the wind just won't give us a break, but when it does it's going to be on “FIRE”.

Also, still weighing a few nice Wahoo in the mix along with some Tuna. Even a few of the boats have already caught a few Blue Marlins in the deep; anglers already thinking about The Big Rock Tournament which is coming up fast. Keep in mind when the weather breaks we have plenty of fresh caught Ballyhoo from Florida so we got you covered on bait that's not going to fall apart on you.

Grouper Season is now open, but the winds haven't let too many be caught so far. When you're ready to venture out we have been putting up fresh caught Menhaden, which makes one of the best baits you can use on the bottom. Also, on the bottom grounds there's plenty of Sea Bass, Trigger Fish and Snappers to be caught.

Braggin Board