Fishing Report 03/02/2017

 

So far, it's looking like the ole Ground Hog missed his prediction of a longer winter. I know, there's been some cold weather up North but here in North Carolina it’s been Spring weather for us. We usually don’t see these Spring temperatures until mid to late March even some; it's into April before we see fish moving in like this.

 

Inshore / Nearshore:

Sea Mullets have moved into the area. When they first showed up last week, I thought it might be just a small push of them but anglers caught them good last Saturday and this week so, looks like they're here in good numbers already. The best spots have been around the 18 and 19 Buoy and the Beaufort Inlet area. Then the last few days we've seen some fish all the way back around the 25 Buoy back in the Turning Basin area.

I know our buddy Sam, that makes our custom Spec Rigs the “SAM'S GITTERS” caught 60 or so one day this week in just of a matter of a few hours, the bite has been good when you locate the schools of fish. The SAM'S GITTERS rigs seemed to be working the best; we do have plenty IN-STOCK.  Tip the rigs with Bait Shrimp and Fishbites, one of the biggest keys this time of the year is having good Bait Shrimp that can make or break a trip. We always put up lots of shrimp at the end of shrimping season to make sure we have good quality in the Spring for our customers; it makes a huge difference in catching these fish.  

Gray Trout and Hog Fish have been in the mix with the Sea Mullets from the Beaufort Inlet area back toward the Turning Basin area. Anglers have been catching them on the same lures as they've been using Sea Mullet fishing. Also, fishing Bait Shrimp on the bottom around the Beaufort High Rise Bridge and Railroad Tracks have been producing some Black Drum.

This really has taken us by surprise as we've been seeing Bluefish along the beaches already, most of the AR Reefs just off the beaches has good numbers on them. We also saw Bluefish caught this week around Fort Macon.  Plus we have been seeing Albacore, which is way early for them, Nick, from the shop caught them last Sunday between AR315 and the beach, saw quite a few schools and we've been hearing of some fish up toward the east too, just look for birds sitting or working the beaches is the best way to locate the fish.  Sea Striker Jig Fish Lures casting them into the schools of fish and jigging the reefs with Sting-silvers will work the best.

Speckled Trout fishing has picked up since the warm up; the Haystacks has had some nice keeper fish over the last week along with some of the creeks along Bogue Sound. Also, Anglers are seeing action on up towards Adam's Creek and even across the river in the Oriental area.  Fishing MR17, NEW Yo-Zuir 3DS Jerkbaits, Z-Man Plastics and Berkley Gulp all are producing. Live Mud Minnows is playing a big role also in catching fish, we do have them in-stock ready for action.

Redfish bite has been crazy up around Shark Island and on the East Beach in you can find a good weather day to fish it. I know of some anglers that's caught well over 50 fish a trip, also there's been some nice schools in the backwater creeks if you're lucky enough to come across the right spot. Seems the fish are schooled up in good numbers and if you find them the warm weather has those schools feeding good.

Bottom fishing at AR330 has been pretty good, Nick, from the shop went out the other day and check to see what was happening. Found nice keeper Sea Bass and Ring-tails willing to bite. Live Mud Minnows, Squid, Spro 2oz Bucktails tipped with 4” Gulp Shrimp and Roscoe 2oz Jigs were working the best.  Also, finding a few keepers bass at the AR320, but seemed the closer you came in toward the beach the smaller the fish were.

If you are into Shad fishing from what we're hearing the bite is on, the Pitch Kettle area on the Neuse River is probably the closest area from the beach to go catch them, we do carry Shad supplies this time of the year for anyone that might be making the trip up to the Neuse.

 

Surf:

Usually, I don’t have much to report from the beach this time of the year, but I know of a few anglers this week that's been catching Bluefish from the beach at the Fort Macon State Park.  Casting Kastmasters and Jig Fish Lures from the Surf is producing a few fish, also fishing Cut Mullet and Bait Shrimp on Bluefish rigs could entice a bite.

Other than the Bluefish, Dog Sharks, Puffers and few Black Drum moving along the beaches; Bait Shrimp, Mullet and Squid fished along the bottom will find you some action from these fish if they are around.

 

Offshore:

Not too much to report, but on the good weather days a few boats have made it out.  Last week, we weighed a few nice Wahoo in on the scales at the shop. Most of the action has been the Big Rock down toward the Swansboro Hole which is usually the best areas for our Springtime Wahoo bite. 

Also, anglers are seeing some nice Blackfin in the mix with the Hoo’s and a few Dolphin.  So, things are just getting ready to turn on in the Bluewater over the next few weeks, we just got to get that good weather to get out there. 

We're getting ready to receive our fresh shipments of winter caught Ballyhoo from Florida so, we'll have you covered with top quality Ballyhoo for your Offshore fishing trips.  

Bottom fishing has been steady with plenty of Sea Bass and Trigger Fish if you go out far enough, you'll have no problem catching keeper Bass within 8 miles of the beach but to find good numbers of Trigger Fish you'll have to go out in the 25 to 35 mile range. 

 

 

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