The bluefin bite is yet to get hot, but there are plenty of yellowfins and blackens in the vicinity in addition to...a blue marlin? Read more for the details
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
12/30/2011 We had three offshore and two inshore boats go out today. At the present time I have information on the catches of two of the offshore boats. They brought in a mix of fish: two yellowfin tuna, five blackfin tuna, five dolphin and a limit of tile fish.
12/29/2011 Today we had seven boats go offshore fishing. They returned with good catches of yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna and a wahoo.
12/22/2011 The Kegley family caught a nice striped bass fishing out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center with Captain Aaron Kelly this afternoon. An exciting event. Striped bass are being caught mostly with live eels in the inlet and along Bonner Bridge. Dogfish are also attracted to the eels. It is good to have a few extra eels.
12/21/2011 We had a nice surprise for our fishing report today, a blue marlin release. Along with the marlin release we had a limit of yellowfin tuna and some blackfin tuna brought in today. There seems to be plenty of tuna out there right now so if you want to get in on the action give us a call at 1-800-272-5199 and reserve your charter today!
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 Dc. 27 that there are a good number of boats fishing for the bluefin tuna this morning.* I have already heard of one fish that has been pulled off.* Hopefully*I will be able to report before to long that they have caught a few bluefin today.* It is a little bit swelly and rough offshore for the smaller boats, but the larger boats should have a good fishable day.* This is the most boats fishing for bluefin this year.* Hopefully they will cath a few bluefin today.* The speckled trout bite is still going on both at the Cape Lookout rock jetty and* inside the sounds.* There are still a large number of smaller trout, but there are some nice trout being caught as well.* There are still some good gray trout around and some sea mullet.
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)
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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