Fishing Report 04/24/2014

Rain Date: For Easter Weekend Tent Sale

Satruday, MAY 17th

Well, after a wash out last weekend with rain and heavy winds; the weather over the last two days has been very nice. It does look like this weekend's forecast we're going to have great weather with good winds and plenty of sunshine.

Inshore:

Over the last two days I've received good reports of a great Bluefish bite. The Cape Lookout Rock Jetty has plenty there in the 1lb to 2lb range with some of the nearshore reefs reporting 3 to 4lb fish. With the pretty weather forecasted for this weekend I have a feeling there's going to be some Chopper Bluefish caught in the 10lb range. Artificial lures to cast are: Jig Fish Lures, Stingsilvers, Epoxy Glass Minnow Jigs and Kastmasters. They'll also hit frozen finger mullet rigged on a finger mullet rig.

Also, we have received our first reports on Bonito showing up. I've heard of good numbers caught out of Sneads Ferry and yesterday one of our charter captains caught a nice one very close to our beach. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the Bonito action heats up this weekend around AR315 early in the morning right at daylight. Casting the Glass Minnows Epoxy Jigs will be a great choice then after the sun comes up start trolling Yo-Zuri DD’s.

I didn't hear of any solid Sea Mullet reports last weekend or this week but the weather hasn't been good for fishing. I don’t see any reason why they won't still be in the Turning Basin back toward the Inlet. The new local hand tied Spec-Rigs we have in stock have been the ticket tipped with Bait Shrimp. This weekend should be pretty good for some mullet action. Also, you're going to catch Hogfish, Puffers and Gray Trout bottom fishing in the same areas as the mullets.

With the good weather forecasted, hopefully; the Redfish will still be on the shoals at Cape Lookout. About two weeks ago, anglers saw good numbers of fish plus they were easy to catch. Just remember when you're fishing around the Shark Island area you have to use caution on what you are doing. I got word yesterday that a boat sunk there yesterday. You never know when a wave will pop-up on you when fishing that area even though you're on slick water. Berkley Gulp baits work great in that area when the fish are there. Also, there's some Reds in the backwaters like the Core Creek area plus give any shallow water areas a try. Anglers have caught Reds on topwater lures this week.

The Speckled Trout fishing is still good in the upper Core Creek area and out in the Neuse River toward New Bern. Anglers have reported there's good numbers of fish in that 3 to 5lbs range; that’s a great sign for the up coming fall. The Topwater bite has been pretty good during late in the afternoon. Also, a Mirrolure 17MR or a Soft Dine has been working very well on them. I'm hearing good numbers of fat fish full of eggs, so we should have a great spawn coming up since the fishery is closed until June 15. Again, remember it's all catch and release fishery so don’t keep any, release them back to swim another day.

We've seen a few Flounder coming from the nearshore reefs during the last few days. No huge numbers yet but they should really start to stack up in a few weeks. If you're going to give it a try Spro 2oz Bucktails tipped with 4’ Berkley Gulp will be the way to go. There's been a few caught inshore in the creeks as well.

Piers / Surf:

The Oceanana Pier is now “OPEN” and is producing some fish so far. They had a good Red Drum bite the other afternoon. Also, those fishing on the pier are catching Sea Mullets, Puffers and Hog Fish. Plus, they have caught some Bluefish starting to come through. It's time for the Choppers to really get heated up and I'm in high hopes this weekend that action will fire up.

The Surf Zone is starting to catch some Bluefish and again hopefully; since the weather has gotten good again we'll see some more Chopper Bluefish caught like the weekend before last. You'll also catch Puffers, Mullets, Black Drum, Sheepshead and Spiney Dogfish in the mix.

Offshore:

Last weekend was defiantly a wash out for the Blue Water fishing with the high winds. Boats did make it out on Wednesday of this week and caught some good fish: Wahoo, Dolphin and Black Fin Tuna.

It's looking like maybe Friday and Saturday but for sure on Sunday is going to be good days to head out. I'm still hearing the same areas to fish are around the Big Rock, the Rise and the Swansboro Hole. Really, anywhere there is a good break give it a try.

Anglers are trolling Medium Ballyhoo which is working well. We just got the new Blue Water Candy 8oz Jags in. I feel they're going to be a killer on the Wahoo. We also have alot of “CUSTOM” colors in the Islander Lures that have just arrived.

I've been receiving many calls inquiring about Ballyhoo. We have plenty of Bionic and Baimaster In-Stock. It's all-fresh winter caught bait and is holding up very well.

Bottom fishing has been good with the Sea Bass around the North West Places and over on east side like Atlas Tanker. Also, good numbers of Trigger Fish on out in that 35-mile range off ledges and live bottom areas. Squid fished on the bottom along with Cigar Minnows will land these fish.