Fishing Report 01/15/2015

There hasn't been too much on the fishing report over the last few weeks being we're getting into the heart of winter. We are starting to see the temperatures drop below the freezing mark but luckily it’s not stayed there very long. So, I'm happy to report we haven't seen any kind of fish kill in our creeks so far. The extended forecast for next week looks like we're going to be back in the 50’s and even a few days in the upper 50’s.

The talk around town this week has been “Blue Fin Tuna”, since the potential State Record was caught that weighed in over 1,000 lbs. Also, there's been a few more caught this week that were in that 700lb to 900lb range. The boats are reporting they are seeing the largest fish this area has ever seen, anglers are hooking up with fish that they can't even stop.

Our area seems to be the “HOT SPOT” for the action as the Wicked Tuna TV Show boats have shown up to film next season shows. The crazy thing about the fish is they're just off the beach. I talked to one guy yesterday that hooked upped so close to the beach he thought the Blue Fin was going to swim right up on the beach. So, if you're looking for a Giant Tuna, anywhere from the Inlet out to the Sea Buoy, then along the beach and all around Cape Lookout seems to be the hot spots where the fish are being caught. Select Ballyhoo rigged up on a Blue Water Candy 3oz and 8oz Jag will get the job done. Note, we have plenty of both sizes in stock.

As far as fishing, there's still some Speckled Trout being caught in the creeks from the few anglers that's been braving the cold. Tim from the shop fished a few of the creeks along Hwy 24 the other day after getting off work and caught a few nice trout on 17MR Mirrolures and Live Mud Minnows. We had a customer come by the shop yesterday to pick up some Live Mud Minnows that told me he had caught a 7lb trout the day before in a creek toward the Swansboro area.

The Neuse River Creek is still holding fish but the majority have turned into a smaller class of fish. But it’s January and anything to pull back on the line is fun. Mirrolure 17MR, NEW Yo-Zuri 3DS, 3DS Shad seem to be working the best because the fish want something that is pretty much not even moving. I've not heard of anyone going to the Cape Lookout Rock Jetty over the last week since the cold snap but I'm sure there's still Redfish, Black Drum and Sheepshead there to be caught along with a few Trout. Before the cold snap anglers were catching Redfish 50 or more a trip. Live Mud Minnows are working the best out there along with bait shrimp fished right along the bottom. I've been hearing a few people on the nicer days going over to the Port Wall and Rail Road Tracks picking up a few fish like Black Drum, Sheepshead and Hog Fish with a few Redfish in the mix. You need to fish right on the bottom with Squid and Bait Shrimp.

On the days that the weather will allow – the offshore bottom fishing has been pretty good. There's good numbers of Sea Bass being caught along with Trigger Fish and B-Liner’s that opened back up a few weeks ago allowing you to keep them but remember Grouper Season is closed. Most of the better action is in that 25 to 30 mile range at hard bottom areas and drops. It's pretty much a sure bet if you get out there you'll bring some fish back home if you play the weather right. Squid fished along the bottom is what most are using along with Cigar Minnows.