Fishing Report 05/05/2016

 

Last weekend, was finally a decent one and anglers took advantage of it getting out on the water trying their luck, still not perfect conditions but good enough. Anything from Spanish, Blues, Flounder, Black Drum, Red Drum, Sheepshead, Gray Trout, Sea Mullets, Hog Fish, Dolphin, Sea Bass, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna, Bonito, Pompano, Sailfish and Cobia; we saw it all. What we're seeing right now, this weekend’s weather is shaping up to be the same; good enough to get out and catch some fish.

 

Inshore / Nearshore:

Boy, have I been getting a lot of calls about Cobia. We haven't weighed any yet that's been caught along the beaches. We did see some fish that came in last weekend caught in the 15 to 20 mile range off the beach. 

Last year, this week coming up was the week they really started to push in on us.  We've already seen some bait balls along the beach, not any huge numbers but some have shown up. With that being said, it wouldn't surprise me if we don’t weigh a few fish this coming up weekend. Already, we have bagged some “Fresh Caught Shad” ready to go and will have “Live Eels” more than likely going into next weekend.

Bonito fishing has picked up in our area, anglers are still seeing good numbers just south of us but we did see some good action ourselves last week. The best bite I heard of was on the East Side at the AR285 reef. There's been a few caught around AR315 and AR320 but it's been spotty. 

But like the Cobia these fish will show up overnight, we've seen it before hit the reefs one day with nothing go back the next and load the cooler down.  Casting Epoxy Jigs, Heavy Jigs and Jig Fish Jigs will all work great when you locate the schools of fish. As far as trolling, it’s going to be hard to beat the Yo-Zuir DD’s in the smaller sizes.

Flounder fishing still remains strong at the reefs just off the beaches, AR315, AR320, AR330 and AR285 will all be good places to look for some Flatties.  Spro and Sea Striker 2oz Bucktails tipped with Berkley Gulp 4” Shrimp and Live Mud Minnows will be hard to beat. I'm not seeing that many being caught on the inside yet but have heard some are being gigged at night so they're around.  I just don’t think that many anglers have been trying in the backwaters quite yet.

Spanish have moved in over the last week and we've seen some good numbers so far. Last Sunday and Monday, we saw a great bite just off the beaches.  When the first fish start to show up it can be hit or miss but in the next few weeks they should be all over the place.  Anglers trolling Clarkspoons on planers have produced most of the fish that have been caught so far. Along with the Spanish, you'll catch plenty of Bluefish. They have moved in, in full force along the beaches and around the inlet area.

Sea Mullets, Gray Trout, Hog Fish and Puffer Fish all have been hanging around the Turning Basin area and back toward the Beaufort Inlet area. Most anglers are bottom fishing with Spec Rigs tipped with Bait Shrimp and Fishbites. Plus anglers are seeing good action jigging Stingsilvers off the bottom, having good luck with the Gray Trout. 

We've even seen a few Sheepsheads starting to show up around the Bridges and Port Wall area. We do have a few Fiddler Crabs in-stock for anyone wanting to try their luck this coming weekend.

 

Piers / Surf:

Oceanana Pier is still seeing some good Sea Mullet action, the best bite has been after the sun goes down into the night. Bottom Rigs tipped Bait Shrimp and Fishbites are working the best. Also, you're going to catch Hog Fish, Croakers, Puffer Fish and Black Drum while fishing on the bottom at the piers or along the beach.  On top of that, there's plenty of Bluefish to catch plugging Got-Cha Plugs off the piers. Also, anglers are starting to catch a few Spanish in the mix.  

Anglers are reporting there's some Sheepshead showing up around the piers but bait has been hard to find to catch them with. We do have some Fiddler Crabs in-stock if you want to try your luck. I've not heard much on the Flounder yet just a few small ones being caught.  Should start to see more and more as the water keeps warming up.

 

Offshore:

We still aren't seeing those perfect weather windows but we've been taking what we can get and boats have been heading to the Bluewater. What we're seeing right now, it looks like we are going to see a decent day this coming Saturday to head out.  

Last weekend, the Dolphin showed up in great numbers with anglers bringing lots back to the docks. Along with the Dolphins, Wahoo, Sailfish and Tunas are in the mix to be caught. Most of the action we've been seeing has been The Big Rock south and some action just north of the Rock. As the Dolphin move in you'll start to find them at the 14 Buoy out toward The Big Rock. Trolling Ballyhoo is working well and we have both Bionic & Baitmaster in stock ready for action plus all the other offshore supplies you'll need. 

Also, we're seeing some good action on the bottom fish. Anglers were happy this past weekend being Grouper Season opened back up and there was some decent action on them.  Along with Trigger Fish, Sea Bass, Snappers and even a few nice Cobia were caught by the bottom boats. Most of the action has been 15miles to 40miles out.  The deeper ledges in the 30 mile range seems to be holding the best Grouper action.

 

 

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