The warm weather seems to have heated up the fishing off the N.C. Coast. Some big bluefin are being caught--read more to find out how and where!
Northern North Carolina Tidal Waters Fishing Reports (North Carolina line to Ocracoke)
Overall Summary for the region
Ocean: Winter anglers catch plenty of yellowfin tuna, when conditions permit, along with a few wahoo and dolphin, to make for some good offshore action. Midrange anglers target striped bass and red drum during the winter season with moderate to good success. Find a regional fishing website that reports daily catches or contact a local tackle shop for up-to-date fishing reports.
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center brings us these reports
1/28/2012 What a great day of fishing today at Oregon Inlet! We had four offshore boats and one inshore go out. The offshore boats returned with limits of yellowfin tuna and one 245 pound bluefin tuna.
1/25/2012 Today we had one offshore boat go out. They had a beautiful ride out, released two bluefin tuna and returned to the dock with three yellowfin tuna. Tomorrow we have two offshore boats scheduled to go fishing.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays: When weather permits, activity will be heavy with anglers targeting striped bass. They are often found throughout the Roanoke, Croatan and northern Pamlico sounds, especially near bridges or any other structure. There will also be some good winter catches of spotted seatrout and red drum. Good places to try include around the barrier islands and Oregon Inlet's Green Island Slough from pre-dawn to mid-morning hours.
Piers/Beaches: Piers are currently closed, most will re-open around Easter. Beach anglers may have a tough time fishing this time of year due to rough surf and adverse weather, but once again, when conditions permit, some of the largest red drum and striped bass are taken from the surf. Bluefish blitzes can happen this time of year and offer anglers some short-term active fishing. Don’t forget about the possibility of some excellent speckled trout surf fishing this winter on the beaches from Rodanthe southward.
Central North Carolina Tidal Waters Fishing Reports (Ocracoke Inlet to Surf City)
Overall Summary for the region
Ocean: There will be plenty of excellent fishing opportunities onboard charter boats during the winter. The central district has become home to North Carolina’s bluefin tuna fishery. Multiple hook-ups and multiple fish days are the norm rather than the exception. Another species that sometimes makes the winter scene in the Central area is striped bass. Striped bass are sometimes taken from Cape Lookout Shoals and other areas along the beach throughout the winter. Other offshore species such as king mackerel, yellowfin tuna and wahoo will also be available to Gulf Stream anglers. Bottom fishing for a variety of reef fish species is also excellent during the winter months. There are several headboats that operate throughout the year. Some of the best snapper and grouper catches occur during the winter, providing a quality fishing experience. Extended/overnight fishing trips are also offered. Bluefin tuna trips have also been offered in the past. Private boat anglers will enjoy many of the same opportunities as those mentioned for charter boat anglers. Near-shore bluefin tuna fishing should be excellent. Those fishing offshore will have access to excellent catches of king mackerel.
Capt. Joe Shute's Bait and Tackle Report in Atlantic Beach reported on Jan. 30 that we have actually had some very nice weather this past week, and the weather looks pretty good for the long range forecast for this upcoming week.*I found a couple of nice schools of red drum back in the marsh day before yesterday while running my boat.* i also spoke to a guide or two that have also found good schools of red drum and some nice speckled trout.* The few boats that have made it offshore have found mostly blackfin tuna down to the southard.* Many were taken on topwater plugs casting to them while they were breaking on the surface.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays: The speckled trout fishing was excellent this fall in the central district. A good winter fishery is in the making. Newly established striped bass fishing on the shoals of Cape Lookout will also be a favorite. Inside, the creeks of the White Oak, New, Neuse, Bay, Pamlico and Pungo rivers will offer occasional excellent speckled trout fishing. Good catches of speckled trout were already being reported in the fall from Bay River, Campbell’s Creek and other central area tributaries. Do a little research before going, this is a specialized fishery. You might want to consider a local guide. This will greatly improve your opportunity to get on the fish.
Piers/Shore: Most piers are closed for the season. Some may allow access, but catches will be limited. Shore fishing activity will be limited.
Southern North Carolina Tidal Waters Fishing Reports (Surf City to North Carolina line)
Ocean Isle Fishing Center Brings Us These Reports
2/1/2012 Headed out Wednesday morning as the winds were slight and right for searching the flats for fish. I struggled to get over a few sandbars as tide was extremely low. About the time*I*was ready to throw in the towel, I noticed movement to my left. Several reds were moving along an oyster bar about 30 feet away. I made a cast about 10 feet*ahead hoping to intercept. Bam! A 23" red slammed it in full stride and the fight was on! Absolutely awesome to see it all unfold in 2 feet of water. The rest of the group scattered and headed to an unknown location. I moved on,* spotting a small group of five reds, but they were not interested. I moved a little further and a couple of 10 inch flounder slipped out of the mud. A few more yards and a few nice size trout spooked to my right. The flat was*alive! Unfortunately, I could not get anymore fish to bite, but it was great to see them. See ya on the water!
-- Capt. Jacob Frick
1/30/2012 Finally, talked Brant into carrying some new colors here at the OIFC. Here is a little video of what I caught with our new color in Bass Assassin's Sea Shad collection. Our water is super clear right now and this color has been smoking them here of lately. Come by and check it out! See ya on the water!
-- Capt. Jacob Frick
1/28/2012 I have recieved several questions concerning the redfish bite around our area right now. The clear water has made getting close to the fish and getting them to bite difficult at times. Up and down weather patterns, water temperatures, and porpoises have kept large schools of redfish on the move.
-- Capt. Jacob Frick
Overall Summary for the Region
Ocean: Anglers on private and charter boats enjoy some of the best bottom fishing and king mackerel fishing of the year during the winter months. Frying Pan Tower normally holds lots of king mackerel. Look for bait and water temperature around 70 degrees. There may also be great fishing, in these same areas, for groupers, sea bass, porgies and other various bottom fish. Bluefin tuna are another option during the winter months. Ledges around the shoals such as the Fairway Ledge and the Cucumber are good places to look for one.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays: If the weather is not too cold, speckled trout and red drum fishing can be good during the winter months. Look for the trout around the inlets and the drum in the bays and up in the back of the creeks. Striped bass fishing in the Cape Fear River is another option for wintertime fishing.
Piers/Shore: Most piers are closed for the season. Some may allow access, but catches will be limited.
See you on the water,
Bryce Butner
Tidal Fish North Carolina Associate Editor
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