Fishing Report 02/02/2017

Well, we’ve made it into February; so March is not too far out and we should start to see some signs of Spring. I know we’ll be happy about that since February has to be the slowest month of the year for us. We’re ready to see customers heading out to catch some fish, but on the flip side of things it’s one of the busiest time for us behind the scenes at the shop. Orders have been rolling in and we’ll be stocking the shelves over the next several weeks, so we’ll be stocked full when Spring does start to roll around.

As far as fishing things have been on the slow side, seems in the last week or so the Bluefin Tuna bite has slowed way down or the fish have moved on from our area. There’s been a few fish caught down south of us in the last week and I got word the other day a few fish were starting to be caught North of us. So who knows, get some good wind for a few days there could be some fish caught again off our beaches.

There’s been a few Speckled Trout being caught in the backwater creeks along Bouge Sound. I talked to an angler the other day that caught a few out of the Haystacks a week or so ago. Also, I’ve been hearing of a few in the Neuse River area but even that bite has just about died off. Now keep in mind, once we start to get a warm up going into March we should see a decent Spring bite with all the good fishing we saw last Fall. For example, just last two days we have been seeing temps in the 60's, I know of some fish that were caught on Topwater yesterday. We haven’t seen any really cold weather so far this winter to hurt things so I’m thinking once the water starts to warm back up the fish will get active again. Live Mud Minnows have been working well in the creeks just letting them sit on the bottom, along with 17MR Mirrolures fishing the same way pretty much not even moving the lure just letting the current do all the work.

Also, in the creeks anglers have been fishing for Black Drum under the docks. Over the last few weeks a few anglers have been seeing some Drum hanging around the Coast Guard area and the High Rise Bridges. Bait Shrimp on the bottom has been working the best. Plus a few Red Drum have been caught too, most of them have been hanging in the creeks around the oyster bars. The water has been very clear so if you catch a good light wind day with the sun out you probably could find a few fish on the flats around the Haystacks.

Capt. Nick here at the shop has been hitting the Neuse River for some Striper action, he has been cathing fish every trip. The best aciton seems to be north of New Bern, fishing Z-Man plastics. Feel free to stop by the shop and Capt. Nick can point you in the right direction for this wintertime fishery that is somewhat over look at times. We also offer charters this time of the year for these tasty fish.

As far as the ocean goes, Sea Bass has been plentiful pretty close to the beach, once you get 8 to 10 miles out anglers have been catching good numbers of fish. Any hard bottom or reefs will hold Sea Bass this time of the year. Also, there’s been some nice Trigger Fish landed but most of them have been caught on off the beach along with Snappers.

The 9th Annual Speckled Trout Challenge has came to a close, we saw lots of nice fish weighed in as the leader board shows, it took a 5-1/2lb fish just to make the Top Ten. Last fall and going into the winter months was some of the best Speckled Trout fishing we've seen in years. I really think our fishery for these great fish all depends on if we have harsh winters. Last year's winter was very mild with just a few cold snaps and when that happens we usually see a great season the following fall. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, we have made it through most of this winter without seeing any major cold weather. If we can get through February without any bad cold weather, the 10th Annual Speckled Trout Challenge could be even better.

The winning fish was caught by Steven Smiley from Newport, his monster fish weighed in at 8.65lbs caught back in November in a small creek off Bouge Sound. Steven was fishing with a Live Shrimp under a Float Rig, he usually is an artificial angler. Steven knew that there were larger fish in the creek that just weren't feeding. So, he came by the shop and picked up a few Live Shrimp and it paid off in a big way. Catching this fish earned him $1,560., a Trout Replica from Dog Island Art Works, a Star Plasma Rod and a Penn Conflict Reel totaling a value of $2,300 in cash and prizes.

Michael Willis, from Morehead City took home 2nd Place with another beautiful fish that weighed in at 7.79lbs. Mike caught his fish back in late October on a 27MR Mirrolure in a backwater creek. For the 2nd Place, Michael will be taking home $850. in cash, a Fenwick Rod, a Penn Battle Reel and a Yeti Hopper 30 totaling a value of $1,300 in cash and prizes.

Jordan White from Cedar Point wrapped up 3rd Place with a trout that weighed in at 6.92lbs. Jordan caught his fish in the same area as the First Place fish using the same technique fishing a Live Shrimp under a Float Rig. For 3rd Place, Jordan won $260. in cash, a Star Rod, a Penn Battle Reel and a Calcutta Cooler totaling a value of $600 in cash and prizes.

For sure these aren't bad paydays at all for just a small entry fee of $50 and being able to fish from September 1st – January 31st.

Also, a huge “THANKS” goes out to the rest of the Top Ten along with everyone that signed up and fished the event. Along with all the people that followed the event, it's hard to believe this fall's event will be the 10th year anniversary of the Speckled Trout Challenge.

I want to give a shout out to our great Sponsors: Crystal Coast Graphics, Penn, Yeti, Fenwick, Betts, Mirrolure, Z-Man, Tsunami, Blue Water Candy Lures, Calcutta, Dog Island Art Works and Star Rods.

1st Place: Steven Smiley 8.65llbs