North Carolina Salt Water Fishing Advice

[JOEG.]

Hello,
I went to visit my son this weekend in North Carolina. He is a US Marine stationed @ Camp Lejeune for at least another year. We do not have any experience with saltwater fishing in that area. Does anyone have any recommendations on locations and rigging. We did get a suggestion from another fisherman to use just jig heads and fish bites.......but my boy said that he cannot afford the fish bites on a privates pay......he said that they are 8-9 dollars a pack for just a few baits.......too much. Is this the normal rate for these things?
I would appreciate any help, he gets a little bored down there and would like to do more productive fishing if possible. He lives near Swansboro if that means anything.

Thanks

[whatsuprock]

I've caught lots of spot there in the Inter Coastal Waterway near the bridge that goes to Oregon Inlet, the bloodworm fish bites wor well, and so does fresh shrimp, use a bottom rig with #2 hooks. Unfortunately fishing is not an inexpensive hobby. Good luck.

[MntSktr17]

you can always dig sand fleas, catch fiddlers in the mud etc... have caught plenty on raw chicken! go with a light rod and line just enough wieght to hold bottom, catch a few small live baits on small hooks then switch to a fishfinder/carolina rig set up with the live bait and larger hook, fishin doesn't have to be expensive either... improvise, adapt, and overcome!

[PlaynHooky]

Good advise! HE is a marine......hard work pays off. Best wishes and good luck!

[jablair]

That area has geat drum, flounder and speckled trout inshore. For lures, grubs on jig heads are pretty inexpensive and work well. For bait, he could by a 6' cast net and catch mullet. For baits on the bottom using a sliding barrel sinker above a section of 18-24" leader with a swivel on one end and hook on the other. If he can get into the marshes, try a rattling float with a section of leader below it. The rattling float rig is great in the shallows.

Good luck!

[OldSalt46]

Have him check out the MWR office (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation). They usually have boats that can be rented for cheap provided he takes a class to demonstrate proficiency. Probably rent cast nets as well. Its a good deal for young Marines. There are piers north of him headed toward Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach. Good data provided earlier on sound fishing.

[JOEG.]

Thanks for all of the info guys............really.really appreciate it.

To jablair............I bought him a 6 ft. cast net before I left him last week and he called me yesterday and told me that he caught two mullet.......
I need to find him a used surf fishing cart before I go see him next time. It would be a real nice surprise as he has a real hike to some of the spots on the beaches with all of that gear.
I am going to forward all of these replies to him soon.

Thanks very much everyone.

[MntSktr17]

you sure you want him to be seen draggin around a cart? what if some of his off duty buds spot him? you did say marine right? I would imagine he could carry the gear in his teeth whilst running with a phone pole on his shoulder! J/K!! I too was a Marine, and a good fishin habit is hard to beat for those few spare moments he gets! Thanks to uncle sam I have fished the pilings of oil rigs in the Persian Gulf! The cart when properly camoflauged, and rigged is priceless!

[JOEG.]

Hey MntSktr17..............too funny.

The cart isn't his idea, it was mine. With all of the gear and sun bathers on the beach, most of the time he also has his wife in tow........he's only been married a few months, so I know that it will help him keep his stuff together much better and spend more time fishing. Anything that helps him to keep organized better and spend more time fishing, to me is worthwhile.
If I can find him a cart, I will absolutely make sure that it is properly camo'd.............per your recommendation.........so.......if you are ever on the beach down at Emerald Isle and you see a man fishing with a Camo'd cart......you will know that it is my son and that the cart is courtesy of his dad. I am sure that he will be seeing sand in the coming years and I can only hope that he gets the same opportunities that you have had to enjoy some fishing while he is over there..........hunting.

[jhub]

JOEG, I'm going down to Duck NC on vacation next week, it just so happens that my wife's uncle is a retired marine major that lives in Jacksonville. Her uncle will be visiting us on sunday so maybe I can get something done for your son :thumbup:....Semper Fi.

[JOEG.]

Thanks jhub.
My email is : bigjoefishing@yahoo.com (bigjoefishing@yahoo.com)
My son lives right in Hubert, just outside of Jacksonville.


Joe

:bigfish: