Tuna, Wahoo and a variety of inshore species are keeping N.C. anglers satisfied right now. Read more to find out where the hot spots are and how anglers are taking these fish.
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
2/4/2012 Inshore fishing was a variety pack of bottom fish. Today was a beautiful day for fishing on the Outer Banks. We had six offshore boats and one inshore boat go out. The first offshore boat just came in with two Bluefin Tuna, weighing 259 lbs. and 125 lbs. There were also two Bluefin Tuna releases, both at 300 lbs. Our inshore boat arrived back with two keeper flounder, a Taylor Bluefish, a Red Snapper and a Sea Bass.
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 Feb. 8 that the offshore fishing for wahoo , gaffer dolphin and blackfin tuna was pretty good the last few days when fishermen have gotten out.* There have been some very large wahoo for this time of year with many of then over the citation size in the 50 to 60 lb range. Seems like most of the bite has been from the Big Rock to the Swansboro Hole area.* Inshore in the sound there have been some red drum showing up in the marshes and a few speckled trout as well.
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
2/9/2012 Got out on the water for just a few minutes today. I could see the redfish again today, but can not figure out what they are eating. Headed to another spot and snagged a little rat red. I really don't think he bit the lure because I had him foul hooked underneath his mouth. A few trout started to bite once the wind switched to SW later today. Even a little 10" flounder got aggressive today. Another slam!
-- Capt. Jacob Frick
2/08/2012 Started out looking*around at high tide today. The full moon had the water very high and the flats were easy to explore this morning. Lots of redfish and even a large school of black drum were sunning themselves along the oyster beds this morning. I could not get them to cooperate and was forced to leave as the tide started to fall extremely fast. I started to work the outer edges of oyster bars and deep holes hoping the warm water rushing off the flats would get the fish bite'n. The first pocket of trout were on the small side, but aggressive. The second pocket had a few keepers in the 15" to 16" range. The third pocket of trout had some solid keepers and this is what you would expect on a full moon tide. The best color again was green moon. I am really gaining confidence in this color, especially on clear crisp days and crystal clear water conditions.
-- Capt. Jacob Frick
2/04/2012 This is a question I often get while working here at the store. I sent a youngman named Larry Spainhour in the direction that I had spotted several redfish earlier this week. I told him that I knew the fish were there, but getting them to bite was another story. I shared a few tips with Mr. Spainhour that might encourage them to bite, but you never know. Being quiet, using light gear and working a bait slowly is a great recipe for success this time of year. Mr. Spainhour sent me a text messege at 11am that clearly showed that the fish were cooperating today! Thank you Mr. Spainhour for reporting back to us! I believe Mr. Spainhour caught 6 red drum and 1 black drum in just a few hours. All fish were released to be reckoned with on another day! An absolute true sportsman!
-- 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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