FISHING REPORT 04/02/2015

“Happy Easter Weekend!”  It's been a long winter and everyone I've talked to can't wait to get out on the water. The good news is, the few that have been trying their luck actually are catching a few fish. So, it's only going to get better every week from here on out since the fish are starting to show back up allowing us all to do what we love to do – CATCH FISH!!!

 

 

Inshore / Nearshore: 

Sea Mullets are on their move into our waters. Last week a handful were caught, early this week a few more and yesterday I got a report on more showing up. I had a few customers that went out and fished right in front of the Port Wall and caught quite a few mullets. The majority were small being the first to show up but they kept around 10 or so that were nice eating size. Sam’s hand tied Spec-Rigs tipped with Bait Shrimp, along with Fish Bites will be your best choice of bait. So, it seems more and more are moving in each day. Along with the mullets starting to show up there's been plenty of Croakers to catch along the bottom in the Turning Basin. 

There have been some schools of Redfish working out around Cape Point on the shoals; I talked to one angler this week that caught quite a few just off the point. It’s very hit or miss out in that area this time of year but if you find them you can have some good action. Also, remember when fishing out around the Shark Island area just because you don't see them around the island doesn’t mean they aren’t there, sometimes you’ll find them a mile off the point. There have been some schools hanging around the creeks plus around the Haystacks area and behind Bear Island. With the clear water and it being cold Live Mud Minnows have been working the best. Fish them under the docks or right along the schools when you locate them will produce the best numbers of fish. 

The Springtime Speckled Trout bite is starting to fire up along the Neuse River area. Most of the action's been from the Oriental area down river. Up the river toward New Bern, the bite has been slow being there's a lot of fresh water runoff coming down the river. Mirrolure MR17 in the Hot Olive and Hot Bone colors are working along with the Yo-Zuri 3DS Minnows. I'd say if the warm trend stays around we'll see some Top Water action over the next few weeks on Spook Jr’s and Rapala Skitter Walks. 


 

Pier / Surf: 

It's still somewhat slow but we've seen more action this week coming from the Oceanana Pier. They're catching Dog Fish, Puffer Fish and even a few Red Drum. With the Sea Mullets starting to show up in the Turning Basin I'd think we should begin to see a few of them along the Surf any day now. Bait Shrimp, Finger Mullet, Cut Mullet and Squid fished on the bottom will be the best bait choices to get some action. Now that the Surf Zone is warming up each week we'll see more and more fish being caught. 


 

Offshore: 

We're starting to see some Blue Water action in the 50 – mile range around the Big Rock area. There's been some nice catches of Wahoo coming back to the docks this week along with some nice Black Fin Tunas. Just a week or so ago, a Wahoo over the 100lb mark was caught. Even some nice Dolphin was caught this week by some of the commercial fleet. So, in just a week's time it's starting to happen in the Blue Water. 

We just got a shipment of fresh caught Ballyhoo from Bionic and Baitmaster. So, when you're ready to try your luck we have the bait covered. 

The bottom bouncers are still seeing good action from the B-Liners, Trigger Fish, Black Sea Bass and there's even been a few Snowy Groupers caught. The places on the the East Side like Atlas Tanker, 240 Rock and 1700 Rock have been holding some fish but the best bite has been in the 30 to 40 mile range around the 14 Buoy area on the ledges. Squid, Mackerel, Squid Wings and Cigar Minnows are working best for the bottom action. 

 

 

Registration is now OPEN for our 4th Annual Cobia Challenge!!! Sign up at the shop or by phone at 252-240-FISH (3474) 

 

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!!! 

 

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

 

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2015 – 4th Annual Cobia Challenge Rules 


 

1. Entry must sign up at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors or over the phone by an official weigh master. Official weigh master are any employees of Chasin Tails Outdoors and Tournament Director is Capt. Matt Lamb. 

2. Entry fee of $50.00 paid by cash or entry fee of $55.00 paid by debit/credit card. 

3. Any Official weigh master reserves the right to refuse entry from any applicant, if needed. 

4. Entry must abide by official guidelines set by NC Marine Fisheries on minimum length requirements to be eligible. 

5. Fish must be caught in North Carolina waters. No boundaries. 

6. Entry must have entered 3 days prior to weighing in a fish. 

7. Prize money will be awarded solely on the basis of weight. Entry may weigh in additional fish to replace prior weight. 

8. Entry can win only one prize within the ten (10) places (money or tackle). 

9. In the event of a tie; winner will be determined by the following: weigh master will log fish by date, weight; weigh in time earliest will be winner. 

10. Fish must be weighed by official weigh master at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors. Weight will be logged and initialed by weigh master and registered entry. 

11. Fish must be caught on rod/reel, hook and line solely; you cannot hand off rod to another angler. You can have another angler assist in Gaffing fish and helping in landing the fish. But at no time other anglers are allowed to hold the rod this fish is being caught on. ( NO EXPECTIONS) 

12. Entry can fish anytime during challenge dates, April 18th – June 14, 2013. 

13. Entry can fish from surf, pier, kayak, canoe or boat. 

14. Live or artificial bait is allowed. 

15. Weigh master can disqualify fish due to (net marks, spear marks, etc.). 

16. Fish must be freshly caught (24 hours limit) to weigh fish in. The weigh master will cut the tail of the fish when weighed in. 

17. Fish can only be caught by one registered. Cannot weigh in fish caught by someone else. (NO EXCEPTIONS) 

18. Violation of any rule may result in automatic disqualification. The weigh master shall be the sole judge and their decision is final. The weigh master reserves the right to examine internally and externally any fish weighed. Fish will be gutted if any questions by weigh master. 

19. Top ten places may be subject to a polygraph test before winners are announced. 

20. The tournament director reserves the right to make the sole determination as to whether any of the challenge rules have been violated. Any questions concerning the rules and regulations should be directed to Matt Lamb, head tournament director. Tournament Director has the right to change any rule at any time if needed. 

21. Scales will be open during regular business hours. (NO EXCEPTIONS) 

22. Decisions of the Tournament Director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal, and are not reviewable by 
any court of law.