Fishing Report 03/16/2017

Well, I guess that ole groundhog does know what he's talking about (lol) ole man winter has been in full force over the last few days, cold and strong winds. But surprising, the anglers toughing out the conditions are catching a few fish but I'm not going to lie it's slowed down the bite from what it was last week. How could it not, with the water temps dropping over 10 degrees the past week.  But on the bright side of things looks like next week we get back into the 60’s and hopefully; no more cold weather.

 

Inshore / Nearshore:

Sea Mullet bite has slowed just a bit from the large numbers we were seeing back a couple weeks ago.  But we did see some decent catches this past weekend.  I expect once this cold blast moves out and the temps get back in the 60’s next week we should start to see the bite turn back on.  We really need some of those 70 degrees days back to really see the bite heat back up but that will be soon enough. Sam's Gitters Spec Rigs with Bait Shrimp still has been the way to go as far as what to be using.  I'd think since the water temps have dropped back down the mullets more than likely have moved back out toward the Inlet area in the deeper water.  Just really won't know until we can get back on the water and re-locate the schools. Gray Trout has been in the mix with the Sea Mullets mostly in the same areas, there's been some fish hanging around the Rail Road Tracks but mostly still moving into the area.

Bluefish have been thick, again it's hard to tell what the water temp drop will do to the fish but as many as we were seeing can't see them moving too far off the beach or moving at all as long as the water doesn't keep dropping. Last week, we were seeing all you wanted around the Beaufort Inlet area and up toward the Cape Lookout area. Trolling Clarkspoons, the new Bowed-up Spoons and casting Jig Fish Lures were all working. Also, anglers were seeing some Chopper Bluefish schools showing up around Shackleford cruising the top of the water. Really, I'm hoping we see a good run of the Choppers this year since we didn't see that many last year, always fun to catch when they show up thick.

Also, there's been some Albacore working along the beaches, just riding looking for birds working the water or sitting on the water is always a good sign there's some fish in the area. Best action has been between AR 315 back toward the beach, now keep in mind who knows what this cool down will do but they will be close by.

Still a bit early for the Flounder bite to turn on, I did see some last week a customer caught from some of the reefs on off the beach jigging Spro Bucktails. So, they are starting to make their way in, won't be long within the next few weeks we should begin to see them really stack up around the reefs.  I've even seen a few keepers caught inside the inlet but when I say few I mean few.

Redfish action was crazy last week up at the Cape Lookout area, some of the best Redfish action you'll see. Schools of smaller fish working all around the Shark Island area. Then on off the beach large schools of Bull Drum working the Shoals. Some of the schools were just massive and when they were up on top feeding they would hit just about anything you put in front of them.  Also, some schools of fish are still holding in the creeks and marsh areas,  I'll say with this cold snap the fish will get schooled back up tight making them pretty easy to catch if you find them.  Anglers are also finding some Black Drum around the docks and bridges fishing bait shrimp off the bottom.

We've been weighing in some nice Speckled Trout over the last week, no huge fish but I've seen some nice fish around the 5lb mark.  Most of these fish are being caught in the backwater creeks, but we did hear of a few fish caught at Radio Island and in the Haystacks last weekend before these fronts moved in. Also, some of the anglers fishing up Adams Creek toward the Neuse River have been catching some fish. Bett's Halo Shrimp, Z-Man Plastics, Mirrolure 17MR’s and the New Yo-Zuir Twitch Lures have been working the best.

Sea Bass fishing has been excellent, we've been seeing keeper fish as close in as AR330. The further you go out the more and the bigger the fish will get. Northwest Places, Big 10 – Little 10, AR285 and Atlas Tanker all holding good numbers of fish. It's not been taking long for anglers to reach their limits when the weather allows.

 

Piers / Surf:

You know it’s getting near fishing season when the piers start opening their doors back up, Bogue Inlet Pier opened this past weekend and the Oceanana Pier opens next week on the 23rd.  Still a little early for fishing to take off but some anglers caught Black Drum, Blue Fish and Puffers from Bogue this past weekend. Things have slowed this week with the rough surf and cold temps.  

As far as Surf Fishing there's been some Bluefish and Pufferfish up at the Fort Macon State Park area.  Also, I heard of some Speckled Trout being caught at the Radio Island beach over the past week.  Once we start to warm back up over the next week or so fishing will only get better and better.

 

Offshore:

Last week, we had a few days of good weather and a few boats made it out. Capt. Chris from our charter fleet ran out to the Big Rock and found some nice Wahoo action went 2 out of 5 on the Hoo’s also his party had some nice Black Fin Tuna. Same day, we also weighed a few more Hoo’s in at the shop, so we are on the verge of Wahoo Season being in full force.  We have our Wahoo section all stocked up and have already received one fresh shipment of Bionic Ballyhoo that arrived this week and will have another fresh shipment of Bait Master coming our way up from Florida soon.  Having good fresh Ballyhoo makes a huge difference and we will have you covered all season, so make sure you come to see us for quality bait.

 

 

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