FISHING REPORT 03/19/2015

 
Its hard to believe its that time of the year again for the 4th Annual Cobia Challenge, last year was the biggest yet with the winner taking home over $2,000 in CASH & PRIZES that is not bad for just a $50 Entry Fee, along with fishing on your time. So spread the word and lets make this year the biggest yet. Registration will open April 1st at the shop but you can also call the shop to get registered as there is a 3 day waiting period before you can weigh a fish. So if you live out of town and want to fish give us a call so you will have you 3 days in before you get here to fish. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We can officially say after tomorrow Spring is here, being Friday is the first day of Spring. It’s been pretty warm this past week but we are dealing with some cool weather now.  It look like over the next week we are going to see temperatures in the 50's and 60's so not to bad to start the official start of Spring. 
 
 
 
Inshore/Nearshore:
 
Not all that much going on but we are seeing some good Redfish action. Tim, from the shop hit the creeks in the marsh areas on Monday and found some nice action. Just in a few hours, he caught 15 or so on Berkley Gulp baits and Live Mud Minnows. We had a charter go out last Friday with Capt. Rick and he also had some action around the Haystacks on the Redfish. He had the best luck on finger mullet cut up in chunks fished on the bottom around oyster bar areas, releasing over 10 or so fish.
 
We did a bottom-fishing trip on Tuesday around AR 315 and found plenty of Spiny Dog Fish that wanted to play and a few small Sea Bass. Spro Bucktails tipped with Berkley Gulp 4″ Shrimp and Squid fished on the bottom found the most action. Also, there's been Spiny Dogfish to catch around the inlet area and along the beaches. 
 
 
 
Piers / Surf:
 
The Oceanana Pier opens today giving anglers a chance to start getting out and fish. There's not going to be much action right now but a few Spiny Dog Fish can probably be caught off the pier and along the beach in the Surf.
 
I've not heard of any yet but it's about time for some Red Drum and Black Drum to start showing up at the Fort Macon Rocks and along the beach. I've been hearing north of us has been seeing some Red Drum in the Surf so there's no reason for some Red's to be off our beaches, anglers just need to get out and give it a shot. Finger Mullet, Cut Mullet, Squid and Bait Shrimp would be the best choices for bait for the pier or surf right now. 
 
 
 
Offshore:
 
The bottom fishing still remains very good with some of the best we'll see all year going on right now. Steve, a new crew member at the shop went out this past Monday in the 30 to 35 mile range around the 14 Buoy area and just loaded the boat down with Sea Bass, Trigger Fish, Snappers and Ring Tails. He was fishing Squid on the bottom plus  cut up Cigar Minnows getting good response. Also, there's action closer in around the North West Places, Atlas Tanker, AR330 and AR285 Reefs. You're not going to find the big numbers closer in but I've seen some nice catches of Sea Bass coming from that close in.
 
I've not heard of any reports on Yellow Fin or Wahoo yet but there hasn't been that many boats going out either. I'd say over the next few weeks there will be some Hoo’s brought to the docks. 
 
As I mention earlier, we have a new crew member here at the shop named Steve White. Over the last year, he's been working on the Continental Shelf as first mate under Captain Dave Tilley from Frying Pan Tower. As you know, if you offshore fish knows or uses Capt. Dave’s Website: www.fryingpantower.com for info before any Offshore Trip. If you haven't looked at this website you need to because it’s a very good tool on planning a trip to the Blue Water.
 
When it comes to bottom fishing and trolling, Steve knows his stuff since he's been offshore fishing in this area for 15 years.  His experience has excelled over the past year fishing with Capt. Dave who's one of the best Offshore fisherman in the area. We are really excited to have Steve on board with us. We'll have a lot more knowledge of Blue Water fishing first hand here at the shop. From just what he's been catching bottom fishing over the last two weeks has been very impressive. During the past month, Steve has been working with me adding more Offshore products to our current stock making sure we have everything you'll need before heading out to the Blue Water. We also have our Ballyhoo orders in place getting ready to come our way from Florida from Bionic & Baitmaster the two best in the business. You don't want to take a chance when it come to Ballyhoo, we make sure we stock the best quality so you don't have no worries about baits washing out. Come by and check us out.
 
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