Fishing all along the N.C. coast has been good in the past week. The offshore bite, particular for wahoo, has been outstanding.
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
2/10/2012 Today we had five boats go offshore fishing. They returned with multiple yellowfin tuna and a total of six bluefin tuna releases. We do not have any pictures to post at this time, as it was too dark when the boats arrived at the marina.
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. 13 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
2/11/2012 Since this afternoon the wind has really kicked up and the temperature had fallen off the chart.* We'll have to see what the bite does after this front moves through.
-- Capt. Rickey Beck
2/10/2012 Well, I saw a weather window and took a shot at it.* Arrived in the gulf stream to slick glassy seas and 74 degree water with friends Brad and Jimmy.* Put out the high speed lures early with no luck, switched over to ballyhoo and trolled near the Same Ole hole marking plenty of bait and several times seeing Tuna busting on top in huge schools but they would not bite anything I pulled.* Mid morning, we were ready for some action so we pulled out the Jigging tackle and went to work on the "Endangered" Grouper off our coast... We caught and released 8 Groupers all in the 10-20lb range in just over an hour.* We also caught our share of Huge 7-8 foot sharks and Small Amberjacks.* Once we were all good and tired, it was back on the troll to look for the Wahoo that had eluded us thus far... On a hunch, I punched in the Tower and started trolling towards that location.* About the time we headed that way, the Fan turned on and seas started building.* Just as I was about to call it and head home, the Left short rigger holding a Black and Red BWC Tweener exploded..... After taking the reel down to about 100 yards of Braid left, the fish slowed down.* We cleared down and started fighting the seas back to where the fish was.* After about a 20 minute fight, the gaff was sunk and our token wahoo was in the boat... Overall a pretty slow day but it was beautiful early and a fun day with Friends.* The Gulf stream action should only get better from here...
--Capt. Steele Park
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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