Fishing Report 04/26/2018
Inshore / Nearshore:
Sea Mullets, Hogfish and Puffers with a few Gray Trout in the mix are being caught since this last weather system has departed. More fish are moving in each day, even with the winds and rough surf again this week the Oceanana Pier has been seeing good numbers of fish. Anglers fishing last weekend fished in the Turning Basin and around the 25 Bouy to the Beaufort Inlet also Barden's Inlet is showing good numbers too. Still you will need to drift around to locate the fish. We sold out of the new colors of Sam's Gitters in the Split Chicken, Cotton Candy and Sand Flea; they went fast. The pegs were filled up yesterday so we have plenty for the weekend. Just tip Sam's Gitters with fresh shrimp using a 3 oz bank sinker and you'll be ready to FISH. We just received fresh Bloodworms, Night Crawlers and Red Worms for you anglers that like to use these baits.
Hasn't been too many fishing up around the Cape this week, but I'm sure plenty will be heading that way this weekend. The Redfish bite was good last weekend with most of the action up still around the Shark Island area. There's still some back in the marsh areas around the Haystacks and up Core Creek in the finger creeks. There's been a few caught in the creeks along with a few Speckled Trout. The beaches are producing more action but don't leave out the marsh areas. Berkley Gulp or Live Mud Minnows are working the best on the Reds. Don't rule out using a Top Water Lure in the early morning hours with the temps beginning to rise.
Chopper Bluefish have moved in along the beaches over the last few days, plus we are getting good reports the Oceanana Pier is fishermen are catching them too. Try the areas on the flats inside the hook at Cape Lookout and backside of Shackleford Banks. Most likely with the blow we had earlier this week more have moved in and should be chomping this weekend. Now you anglers fishing from a boat this is the time of the year to chunk out a Top Water Chugger if you see a school come by. We just restocked the pegs with a very good selection of the larger top waters you need to catch these Choppers, they will absolutely crush a Top-water plug. The smaller Bluefish are moving in and even we've had reports of a few Spanish beginning to move in. One customer reported he caught a few last Sunday trolling near the Double Tree. Trolling Bowed-up Spoons around the Shoals, in the Inlet and along the beaches will trigger the Blues to hit.
Albacore fishing was good last weekend, I have a feeling this weekend should be even better with the lighter winds in the forecast that's when the fish will come up on top to feed making them a little easier to spot. Best area still has been up around Cape Lookout area, but we did find some fish down off AB beach last weekend so the fish are starting to move around now, seems like more and more bait schools are starting to show up. We have a good supply of the glass minnow jigs to cast to them, plus Albie Snax that's proven very productive.
Been getting a lot of calls if any Bonito have shown up yet, I did hear yesterday that a few were caught last weekend. I'd try around AR 315 trolling Yo-Zuri DD’s. Wouldn't surprise me if you have some luck in this area.
Our charter boats have been at the dock until today. There should still be some good Sea Bass action in the 8-mile range just off the beaches. There's been very nice Sea Bass just off the beach at Cape Lookout, AR 285 and the Atlas Tanker areas but there's been reports of decent fish at North West Places and around any of the hard bottom areas closer to the beach.
Cobia Season opens May 1st but we haven't heard any reports of them showing up yet. With the cool spring we've been having their showing up could be a week or two late. Bait balls are just beginning to form south of us and will be moving this way soon as the temps rise. Hopefully, the Cobia won't be too far behind. Just a reminder our Cobia Shootout begins May 1, this year's format has changed and is posted on our website. Entry is by boat this year so either come in or check it out online. We are signing up entries daily because there's a 3 day waiting period to weigh a fish in. We will have live eels and fresh caught menhaden as soon as the Cobia show up for your bait. Also, we have all the artificial lures and bait you need not to mention combos ready to help you land a huge saltwater Catfish.
Piers / Surf:
Sea Mullets have been biting really good this week off the Oceanana Pier once the wind calmed down. Bait Shrimp fished along the bottom seems to be working the best but some anglers like to use Fish Bite's Shrimp. We've seen some good catches in coolers this week and some Chopper Blues have shown up off the pier.
There's a good chance some Spanish might show up at the pier this weekend with the warmer temps. So give it a shot and start plugging off the end either Spanish or Bluefish may hit.
Surf anglers have been catching some Red Drum in the suds, fishing with cut mullet or finger mullet on a mullet rig also seeing a few Black Drum in the mix.
More Chopper Bluefish have shown up this week, still hoping we see a good run show up and this just might be the weekend to turn the bite on fire. Finger Mullet Floats rigs will be the best choice when targeting these massive fish in the surf and piers. We have been seeing some smaller Bluefish caught off the piers and in the surf this week also.
A few Spots, Croakers and Blowfish are starting to make a showing along the beaches. We got in today a fresh supply of Bloodworms, Night Crawlers, Red Worms and plenty of Fresh Bait Shrimp.
This weekend if you venture over to Cape Lookout to Surf fish anglers have been seeing a good Red Drum bite plus some Chopper Bluefish on the East beaches make sure you pick up some Finger Mullet and Jumbo Mullet before you head over.
The Surf Zone should be firing up over the next several weeks being it's the best time to fish off the piers and along the surf before we have that summer heat-up.
We have all the bait you need: Fresh Bait Shrimp, Live Bloodworms, Night Crawlers, Red Worms plus all the frozen bait Finger Mullet, Cut Mullet, Squid and some very nice 3 pack Jumbo Mullet since fresh has been hard to come by so far this Spring.
Offshore:
Well again this week… no one has been Offshore until today. I'm sure some boats will be leaving the docks this weekend with the pretty forecast we have coming our way Saturday, Sunday and even into next week. The best areas are still around the Rise and Swansboro Hole up to the Big Rock. Wahoo, Dolphin, Yellow Fin and Black Fin are just waiting to be caught. We have a great selection of fresh Baitmaster and Bionic Ballyhoo in stock waiting to be fished.
Hopefully, with this weekend and next week we have finally turned the corner and a new weather pattern is coming. If we get through tomorrow with this little wind and the forecast holds Saturday and Sunday there should be some fish coming back to the scales. Come in and check out our Offshore section, we have added new items and have a great selection for you to choose from.
Bottom fishing remains good even though the weather was nasty first of the week. There's been plenty of Black Sea Bass, Trigger fish, Snapper, and Groupers being caught (Grouper season opens May 1st) in the 30-40 mile range on the hard bottom and ledges.
Phone: 252-240-FISH (3474)
709 Atlantic Beach Caseway, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
