FISHING REPORTS 05/08/2014

Inshore:

I 'm getting call after call about a Cobia Report…. We haven't weighed one in yet but I've been hearing some reports this week. I talked to a guy today that heard of some being caught in a sink net along the East Beach. Last weekend, the Capt. Stacy brought in over 30 back to the dock and was fishing just offshore of the beach.

Over this past week some bait baits have been spotted but they aren't in big schools yet. I have a feeling there will be one caught nearshore along the beach or in the inlets within the next few days. We just need some boats out there fishing for them setting up with soaking bait. Last year this coming weekend was when it all started to happen there wasn't much bait around then but the “COBIA” showed up.

We are ready and fully stocked up on all the artificial lures you'll need to get the job done. We don’t’ have our local big bags of Menhaden yet but our guy has been looking each day. When they show – we will have them. But we do have some “Fresh” caught Menhaden that we got south of us in smaller packs. It'll have to do until we get good numbers of bait in our waters.

We'll have “LIVE EELS” in stock starting tomorrow morning and will have them until the Cobia move on. A “LIVE EEL” is probably the best live bait you can use for COBIA fishing. It’s very rare that one will get turned down. If you've never fished them before we'll show you what you need here at the shop.

Bluefish are showing up more and more. There's good numbers along the beaches and up around the Cape. Now, anglers are hooking up trolling with Clarkspoons plus they're catching a few Spanish on each trip. I talked to one customer this week that brought home a dozen or so trolling around the Inlet. The weather is going to get hot this weekend so we should see the Spanish bite really pick up.

There's still Sea Mullets around but the bite has slowed down a bit in the Turning Basin. The best action seems to be along the break near the Inlet area. The ones being caught now are larger than what we were seeing. Along the beach is still producing good numbers fishing with Spec-Rigs tipped with Bait Shrimp. We got another shipment in of the “Local Hand Tied Rigs” with some test colors never seen before in the Spec-Rig world. Also, there's Gray Trout in the same areas to be caught as the Sea Mullets. Stingsilvers, Jig Fish Jigs, Glass Minnows Jigs will all work jigging off the bottom for the Grays.

The Bonito Fishing was very good this past week with anglers catching good numbers. We haven't seen action like this in a few years. The Artificial Reefs are producing the best action. Early in the mornings are good for casting jigs like the new Epoxy Glass Minnows, they are really working well. Also, we're seeing some great trolling action once the sun comes up. The smaller Yo-Zuri DD’s are working the best. Yesterday, I ran across some of the older Yo-Zuri DD's that worked so well over past years before they changed them. So, we bought them up and have them In-Stock now ready for the Bonito. There's also good numbers of Albacore feeding along the beaches. You look for the feeding birds and you'll have a good chance of having some luck, try casting small Glass Minnow Jigs into the schools that will do the job.

Anglers are starting to catch a few Flounder at the reefs not as well as it’s going to get but they're starting to show up. Jigging a Spro 2oz Bucktail tipped with Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp or use Live Mud Minnows fished on the bottom will be the best for action. Also, anglers are catching some very nice Sea Bass when fishing for the Flounders.

The Speckled Trout action is still good in the Neuse River and finger creeks up Core Creek. It looks like with the numbers of fish anglers are releasing we should have a great spawn as most of the fish are heading toward the main river to do so. Topwater action has been good with Spook Jr’s, Rapala Skitter Walks both are working great along with anglers catching a few stripers in the Neuse fishing the same way. Mirrolures and Yo-Zuri 3D Minnows are also producing some good Speckled Trout action. Remember it's catch and release until June 15th when the season opens back up.

The Redfish bite has been good over the last few weeks but I'm not getting many details out of the anglers because they're starting to get ready for the 1st event of the “Carolina Redfish Series” on May 31st held right here out of the shop. GO TO:www.carolinaredfishseries.com to learn all about the tournament.

Since the water has warmed up now any shallow water bay or creek can be holding Redfish. Up around Shark Island there's still some Reds being caught. They aren't there like they were because some of the schools have probably made their way in but you still might get some action. Topwater, Redfish Magic’s, Berkley Gulp, Live Mud Minnows, Z-Man, Vudu Shrimp, Savage Shrimp, Live Target Shrimp, DOA and Popping Corks would all be great choices.

Surf / Piers:

Black Drum Action – we're seeing a lot of great fishing both from the surf and off the piers. The majority caught are in the 2lb to 5lbs range. Bait Shrimp fished on the bottom seems to be working the best. Sea Mullets are doing well along the beaches. We also have been weighing in some nice sized Pompano from the Surf Zone over this past week. Bait Shrimp or Bloodworms fished on the bottom will land them also.

Blue Fish are still moving in with good numbers along the beach and anglers are starting to do good off the Piers with Got-Cha Plugs and other casting lures. Finger Mullet and Cut Mullet fished along the beach is producing good action on the Blue Fish and we saw a few Chopper Blue Fish weighing over 10lbs last weekend.

There's still a few Red Drum being caught in the mix if you're in the right place. From what we've been hearing up around the Fort Macon Park has been the best for Red Drum action using Live Mud Minnows, Finger Mullet and Cut Mullet.

This time of the year is some of the best Surf Fishing you can experience. Because the fish are moving in, ready to feed and the crowds are along the beach swimming. So, get out and take advantage of the warm Spring days with good fishing along the beach.

Offshore:

Last weekend, we saw some great action from the “Blue Water” being the weather allowed anglers to get out. Good numbers of Wahoo came into the docks along with good numbers of Dolphin and some nice Gaffers. The majority of the action came from The Big Rock back down to The Swansboro Hole. Also, a few boats came in with good catches of Black Fin Tuna. Anglers trolling Ballyhoo on Islanders and Blue Water Candy Lures are working great. Medium Ballyhoo seems to be the best for most action but guys are still taking some Small Ballyhoo. We have plenty of Ballyhoo in stock – Bionic and Baitmaster. What we have seen over this past week the Dolphin fishing is getting ready to “BLAST” into full swing.

As for the bottom action – boats saw some great action this past week with good numbers of Black Sea Bass, a few Trigger Fish and good numbers of Groupers were caught since the season is open now. To get the best action anglers are fishing out pass the 30-mile range in the deeper water. But anglers fishing inside of that around North West Places and Atlas Tanker area are catching plenty of Sea Bass along with a few Grouper. Squid, Cigar Minnows, Sardines, Squid Wings and Menhaden seem to be doing the best for the bottom fishing. Guys fishing jigs are also doing well; like the Bare Foot Decoy Jigs and Squid Jigs have to be one of the best along with the Blue Water Candy Roscoe’s.

April’s WINNER for the Photo Challenge!!! Brie Wheaton & Stephen Wooland!!!

Great Job!!! On your catch earning you the Penn & Berkley Gift Pack.

Also, they “WON A BONUS PRIZE” since it was taken at the shop, a $25 Gift Certificate!!!

We will pick one photo each month from our pictures of you and your catch that we took here at Chasin Tails Outdoors along with photos you post on our Facebook Page plus photos you email us. Does not matter what kind of fish… Just has to be a Saltwater species.

BONUS PRIZE!!! If we pick your photo with your catch that we took at our shop – you'll “WIN” a $25 Gift Certificate!!!

BONUS PRIZE!!! If we pick a photo of you wearing any of our Chasin Tails Outdoors apparel – you'll “WIN” a $25 Gift Certificate!!!

We hope to see you soon with your catch of a Lifetime!!!

BRAGGIN BOARD: