Winter brings superb fishing to the North Carolina coast, especially for striped bass and yellowfin tuna. Area tackle shops are reporting tremendous catches of both rockfish and tuna, with some red drum in the mix. If you can withstand the freezing temperatures, there is great fishing to be had during January. From the Virginia line and south, anglers are combatting the elements and reaping the rewards.
Northern North Carolina Tidal Waters Fishing Reports (North Carolina line to Ocracoke)
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center brings us these reports:
1.5.11 STATE RECORD STRIPER CAUGHT BY 12 YEAR OLD STEPHEN FURLOUGH OF ROPER, NC. Stephen caught a 63 lb striped bass just off Oregon Inlet this afternoon. Previous state record was 62 lbs. Filling out the paperwork for the state to confirm this beautiful fish. This whopper fish was caught on the Rigged Up. All of the boats that left the dock today came in with limits including some nice citations. Ben & Lauren Shelton of Williamston caught their limit on the Fishin-Fool including citation 42 lb and 39 lb stripers.
1.4.11 Stripers are still here. They are catching them from around the inlet all the way up to the Va. line. Boats are catching between 20 and 30 fish per day. You can only keep two fish per person, but still lots of fun to catch.
1.2.11 Charters sailing from Oregon Inlet Fishing Center have been enjoying good big striped bass (rockfish) fishing. The fish have all been good size, lots going over 30 lbs, including a 47-pounder. Everyone is having a ball with these rock fish. They are magnificent.
1.1.11 Great striper fishing again, especially this morning. Not all caught limits, but all reporting reported great fishing.
12.31.10 Stripers, stripers, stripers!! Every boat had limits on stripers!! Andrew Marchbanks of Anderson, S.C. had a citation!! Offshore boat came in with four yellowfin tuna!! As of now we have 18 boats going out in the morning to striper fish!! Keep up the great work guys!!
12.30.10 Stripers, stripers, and more stripers. That was the catch of the day. Several citations were brought in. Wayne Johnson of Lincolnton, N.C. had one at 35 lbs. Ben Lunnen of Archdale, N.C. had one at 36 lbs. Wesley Smith of Angier, N.C. had one at 45 lbs. Bryant Cutrell of Lawrenceville, Va. had one at 40 lbs. Skip Wells of Rodanthe, N.C. had one at 36 lbs. Elbert Mannias of Williamston, N.C. had one at 35 lbs. Joseph Spry of Mocksville had one at 40 lbs. Daniels Gibbs of High Point, N.C. had one at 42 lbs. James Honkins of Chatham, Va. had one 36 lbs. Cherly Kersnowski of Waxhaw, N.C. had one at 38 lbs. Boats out today for stripers and tuna.
TW Bait and Tackle offered up these reports:
1.5.11 Oregon Inlet reported stripers can be caught from the inlet to the Va. line. Boats are catching 20 to 30. Remember, you can only keep two per person. Stiff fine.
1.4.11 No news today. The boats stayed at the docks on Monday. It is going to be another cold week.
1.3.11 It was a most beautiful weekend. The boaters fishing for rockfish had a great weekend. It should continue through the month of January. I heard the hot spots were 2 miles off the beach about the Wright Memorial area. There were a few drum caught south, but slowed from last week. The weather will be colder the next few days, but surf fishing should pick up.
1.2.11 Great striper fishing. I received news from Gary Johnson and David Gray. Gary’s crew caught one 54 lb, two in the forties, four in the thirties and two in the twenties. Great two days of fishing! They were fishing on the 30th and 31st.
1.1.11 Big time striper day for the boaters. Boaters caught their limits and also a few citations. Citation size is 35 lbs. The blue-water boats caught yellowfin. The beaches were full of surf fishermen. I did not see a fish.
12.31.10 The stripers are here. The boaters had a big day yesterday. There were schools of 20 to 30 pounders. Surf fishermen from Frisco to Buxton had another good drum day. The weekend should be good fishing.
12.30.10 They had a good run of puppy drum at Buxton yesterday. Anglers were using artificial lures. Most were not keepers, but enough keepers to make it interesting. It is a beautiful day. Water temp is 39 degrees. Water is calm. If you don’t have a line in the water, you can’t catch a fish.
Overview
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.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays: Inshore activity will be heavy when weather conditions permit with most 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 (they have been everywhere throughout the year). A good place to try is 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 can 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)
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. Stripers 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 are a lot of fun and really provide a quality fishing experience. Extended/ overnight fishing trips are also offered. Bluefin tuna trips have also been offered in the past. Check with your favorite fishing vessel. Private boat anglers will enjoy many of the same opportunities as those mentioned for charter boat anglers. Near-shore bluefin tuna fishing will be excellent. Those fishing offshore will have access to excellent catches of king mackerel.
Inlets/Sounds/Bays: Newly established striper fishing on the shoals of Cape Lookout will also be a favorite. Inside, the creeks of the White Oak, Neuse, Bay, Pamlico and Pungo rivers will offer occasional excellent speckled trout fishing. Do a little research before going; however, this is a very specialized fishery.
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: 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 during the winter months. 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.
Inlet/Sounds/Bays: If we don't see too cold of a winter, 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. Striper 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
TidalFish.com Associate Editor
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