Fishing Report 04/16/2015

 

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We're all stocked up on Custom Hand Tied Bucktails, Rigs, Eels, Rods, Reels plus LIVE EELS closer to May. So. anything you need for this COBIA Season – we have you covered!!! 

 

More COBIA were caught this week just Offshore of us, so it wont't be long before we see Mr. Brown Suit making his way to our beaches. 

 

 

 

 

We were having good weather but this week's been very up and down with wind, along with rainstorms. I'm seeing beginning on Friday and Saturday both days look pretty good with lighter winds and some sunshine. There's a small chance of rain on Sunday, then next week really looks good with no rain in the forecast so far. 

 

 

Inshore / Nearshore:

We've been seeing some great Sea Mullet action over most of last week. This week it's been a little slower but we just haven't seen the anglers because of the weather keeping everyone off the water. I'm thinking starting Friday once the weather gets straight, we're going to see good action again. The mullet should really be stacked up for the weekend because they haven't been fished much this week. The best area seems to be just as you leave the No-Wake Zone in the Turning Basin to the Coast Guard Station. Also, I know of fish being caught out toward the inlet right in front of the Port Wall. Last week, the last half of the incoming tide to high was the best bite but remember that was last week it could be a totally different bite now. Sam Gitter’s Spec-Rigs have been the go to lure tipped with Bait Shrimp along with Fishbite's Shrimp using a 2 to 4oz bank sinker.

There's been all the Gray Trout out in the same area you can stand to catch, I heard of more than one boat catching over 100 easy. So, I'd say you shouldn't have a problem filling your limit at 1 per person. Tim, from the shop went out Monday and hit up the Atlantic Beach High Rise Bridge on the way in and found some bigger Gray Trout over on the Morehead side of the bridge. He was jigging a silver Sting-Silver to get the bigger fish to bite.

Bluefish are starting to show up along the beach and up around the Cape area. I know last Sunday, the Oceanana Pier had a crazy bite. Everybody on the pier was catching all they wanted in the 14 to 20 inch range. Also, I heard that some have moved in around the hook at the Cape in the same size range. I've not heard many reports on them over the last few days, but again the weather hasn't allowed many anglers to get out to fish for them. Jig Fish Lures, Gotcha-plugs, Sting Silvers and Glass Minnow Jigs all have been working. When they first show up, they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. Since they're starting to show up, you can fish out along the beach trolling Clarkspoons to catch them too. These Blue Fish will be some of the best ones you can eat all year long, for some reason to me the ones you catch in colder water seem to eat better. I've not heard of any Chopper Blue Fish being caught yet but it wouldn't surprise me if someone doesn't catch one this weekend. 

The weather has made it tough to get over on the East side this week to the good action we were seeing last week. But I'm sure there's still plenty of fish over there to be caught, as I reported last week, plenty of Blue Fish, Albacore, Bonito, Flounder, Sea Bass and Red Drum. What I'm seeing right now Saturday should be good enough to get back on the East side. I can't imagine the fishing still not being good over there; I'd think there would be even more fish to catch.

A few Redfish was caught over the weekend around the Haystacks and Core Creek areas. They still haven't moved into the creeks and bays in good numbers but they're showing up. The best reports on the Reds have been behind the Bear Island area. Shark Island has been holding a few fish but it's been very hit or miss if you find them. It’s either going to be great action or nothing that's just how ocean fishing is for them. If they aren't up on the shoals feeding; they are just to hard to find.

 

 

 

Piers / Surf:

Things are really starting to heat up along the beachfront. Last Sunday, both the Oceanana and Bouge Pier saw a great “Blue Fish” bite. Over the last few days, the bite has slowed but I think it’s this crazy weather. Just let the sun come back out and the water clear up and by Saturday the bite should be back on. Cut Mullet and Finger Mullet fished on a “Blue Fish” rig was getting the best action but a few were caught by plugging Gotcha plugs. We're all waiting on a school of the big Choppers to come through to get into some major action. 

 

I'd think anyone who fishes from the pier or surf won't say they don’t love to catch a Blue Fish over the 8lb mark. It’s not very often you can get such get action from the beach when they show up. So, be on the lookout because they'll only be here for a short time and you don’t want to miss the spring “Chopper Blue Fish” action that’s for sure. 

 

Also, there's been good numbers of nice Sea Mullets coming through the Surf Zone that are being caught using bottom rigs with Bait Shrimp and Fish Bites. Spots, Puffer Fish and Black Drum are really starting to come down the beach too. Anglers are having good luck on Bait Shrimp, Squid, Mullet and Fishbites fished off the bottom with bottom rigs. 

 

Offshore: 

Wahoo fishing still remains good, Monday a few boats made it out and came back with good numbers of Hoo’s. Black Fin Tuna is still in the mix plus even a few Yellow Fin. Last week, we weighed our first Dolphin of the year here at the shop and then on Monday a few more were caught. So, the Dolphin seems to be right on schedule with their yearly pattern of May and June being the peak months to fish for them. Most of the action we're seeing is around the Big Rock down south towards the Swansboro Hole. Medium and Large Ballyhoo trolled on Blue Water Candy Jags and Sea Witches are working the best. Also, the new “Cow Bell Lures” are working great for the High Speed trolling. There's something about that lure a Wahoo will attack. We have these in the shop, so come by to check them out.

 

As far as the bottom fishing it still remains good with Sea Bass, Trigger Fish, B-Liners, Cobia and Amber Jacks starting to show up good around the Offshore reefs. The best action is going to be in the 30 to 40 mile range on the ledges and the live bottom areas. There's just a few more weeks and Grouper Season opens back up and what I'm hearing there are good numbers just Offshore of us. So, when there's a weather window, the fishing has gotten good enough to head on out and most likely you'll be coming home with fish in the box. 

 

 

 

 

Braggin Board: