I can't report that's much been happening but March 1st is this weekend and we're on the road to “SPRING”. Last weekend, we saw our first signs of spring with some nice mild temperatures. We're going to be cool again for a few days but looks like it's going to warm back up some next week.
We've been doing fishing schools and stocking the store for the last few weeks getting ready for the season. Last weekend, we set up at the Fisherman’s Post Saltwater Fishing School over at the Morehead City Civic Center; which I want to thank everyone that came out this year. This was the largest attendance we've ever had and I hope everyone had a great time and learned a few things to catch more fish. Next Saturday March 8th we'll be at the “Get Hooked” School at the North Carolina Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. We'll be giving out tips and showing some great new products for this year. So, if you haven't signed up yet go to:https://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores to do so and join the fun.
As far as fishing – it’s been “so so” since our last cold blast of air with ice on the coast and up to 12 inches of snow just an hour inland. I'm still hearing of Red Drum hanging around the Fort Macon Rock Jetty. I talked with a customer that caught one plus lost one there last week before the cold ran him in. All it will take is a good warm week of weather to warm up the water just a few degrees and it will really pick up around the Rocks. Cut Mullet and Live Mud Minnows has been the way to go along with a few fish being caught on the Paul Brown Mirrolure.
I did hear of a good bite in Schoolhouse Creek last weekend when the water came up a few degrees. Today, I talked with a guy that went out last Sunday looking for schools of fish and said he probably seen around 200 or so fish but it was hard to get them to bite. He caught a few nice fish fishing Berkley Gulp with Pro Cure all over it in order to get any action. We just need some warm weather and the Redfish bite will really turn on. There are huge schools of fish hanging around the inlets just waiting to move in for spring.
As far as Speckled Trout I haven't heard much action at all. Anglers haven't been fishing for them much since the closure but the ones I've talked to that have in the creeks it's been pretty slow. I'd say by mid to the end of March we should have some good Speckled Trout action heating up.
I've been getting some striper reports from the guys fishing the Neuse River around the bridges and creeks. DOA Airheads have been working good around the bridge pilings. We've been out of them but just got a shipment in, so we're stocked up.
Also, I'm starting to hear about some Shad beginning to run in the river. We just order some more Shad Darts and Curly Tails, so we should have them in stock before they really start to run.
Offshore – a few boats have been getting offshore over the last few weeks and reporting pretty good action when they can make it out. The Amber Jack fishing has been good using “Topwater Chugs” with some fish up to 70lbs. I've heard of a few Dolphin, Black Fin and even a few Yellow Fin. Most of the action is coming well offshore in the Blue Water but the Jacks are in closer. The bottom fishing has been great with Trigger Fish and Sea Bass. There's lots of nice sized Triggers being caught along with the Sea Bass. They've been in that 30 – 40 mile range on the hard bottoms and ledges. It won't be long we should start to see our “Spring Wahoo” bite and hopefully; they'll pick up right where they left off last fall.
So, we're getting closer to some better action just over this past week we've started to see some life. I saw a school of small minnows behind the shop this week so that’s a great sign of some fish moving in.
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We just about have all the details with Payouts, Entry Fee's & Rules worked out and will be released to the public very soon. We are already getting great feed back so far on the series, so help us spread the word!!!
3rd Annual Cobia Challenge
April 19th – June 15th
($50 Entry Fee / 100% Payout)
Last year, we had a great sign-up in our Cobia Challenge which 1st Place angler took home over $1,000 in Cash, a Star Rod and Penn Reel. 2nd Place angler took home over $500 and a Ugly Stick Tiger Light Rod. 3rd Place angler took home around $200 and a Tsumina Classic Series Cobia Rod. 4th – 10th took home tackle bags and tackle packages
We are working with new sponsors this year to get the prizes even better for 2014.
Sign Ups will be open April 1st with no sign up “Dead Line” but there is a 3 day waiting period when you sign up before weighing in a Cobia. This is in place to protect the anglers that have signed up and are in the event; so no one can catch a monster then decide to sign up and weigh in the fish.
You may fish anywhere in NC but the fish has to be weighed on our cerified weigh station scales. You have a 12 hour grace period to weigh in your fish. So, if you like to fish at night that covers you, just bring the fish in the next morning when we open. You can fish by boat, land, or pier with Live Bait, Dead Bait or Artifical it doesn't matter as long as it's caught on “Hook and Line”.
We'll have a ” Wild Card” fish each month for a random weight picked by us. The closest angler to that weight or that exact weight will win a Prize.
So, for $50. each come join the fun. The best thing about this event it's anybody game. Cobia Fishing is being at the right place at the right time. You never know when your going to ride by a bait ball and the winning fish is swimming under you.
So, spread the word tell all your friends and let's make this the best year yet!!!
More details are coming soon being we're working with our sponsors right now.
Feel free to call the shop for more information at 252-240-FISH.
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Phone: 252-240-FISH (3474)
709 Atlantic Beach Caseway, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
