Once all the vegetables are cut up, add them to the mixing bowl and toss with Old Bay seasoning.
Arrange foil by using two pieces per dinner (double layer). Fold the sides of the foil up and make a large pocket.
Add vegetables, and put the bite-sized fish pieces on top. Then add the butter.
Now start to roll up, partially closing the foil pocket. Add beer or wine (or water) and then close the foil pocket completely by crimping all ends together.

As for cooking the Fish Hobo dinners, you may use an oven or grill; however, this dish is usually done while camping and using your campfire.
To cook over fire, rake a large amount of hot coals to one side and place the Fish Hobo dinners directly on the coals.
Whether you use fire, oven, or grill, you generally only need to place it once on the hot surface (no need to flip), and they take about 30-35 minutes to cook.

Fish Hobo dinners may be made ahead of time and placed in a ziplock bag on ice (for camping). Just remember to add beer or wine (or water) right before cooking.

Capt. Patrick Kelly, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters out of North Myrtle Beach, with a 6.5 lb. flounder he caught in Dunn Sound on a Gulp shrimp.

Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that red drum (16-30″) and black drum (2-5 lbs.) fishing has been solid in the ICW lately around creek mouths and other structure. A live shrimp pinned to a Carolina rig has been an especially effective bait, and the top strategy is to dead stick 2-3 rods with Carolina rigs, then cast jig/Gulp combos to cover more water.
There’s been a killer speckled trout bite behind Shallotte Inlet over the past few weeks, where double digit numbers of trout per day are commonplace. Live shrimp fished beneath slip floats are the top trout producers.
Speckled trout and some striped bass (most smaller, but some up to 10+ lbs.) are biting live shrimp on float rigs and DOA shrimp in the ICW near Coquina Harbor.
The shallow water red drum bite in the area is turning on, much as it did last winter. The fish are tough to get to, but anglers with flats boats can find the fish feeding in shallow backwaters near low tide, and pushing into the grass as the water rises. Many of the fish are tailing, and all are so shallow they’re easy to see, making for excellent sight casting opportunities.
Gulp baits on Mission Fishin jigheads have been the most productive lure lately. Adding a small snap-on spinner arm to the jig can provide some extra attraction.

Doug Clark, of Lumberton, NC, with a 44” citation red drum he caught on a live mullet while fishing with Capt. Donald Leach out of Cherry Grove on the “Sugg.”

Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that fall fishing is just getting good.
Anglers are catching a few flounder these days. There’s not quite as many as summertime, but most are larger fish (up to 6.5 lbs.). Gulp baits and live shrimp have been attracting attention from the flounder.
Some red drum (24-27″) and an unusual number of black drum (14-18″) are feeding in the ICW and Dunn Sound, and live shrimp are drawing bites from both.
Smaller puppy drum are beginning to school up in the creeks, and if last year was any indication, this should be an incredible fishery for much of the winter. However, anglers need very shallow draft boats to get to where the reds are feeding. Without a flats boat, anglers are likely out of luck. Once anglers find some feeding fish in the shallows, a jerkbait or a Gulp on a light jighead should produce action.
Anglers are catching a few trout on live shrimp in the ICW around Sunset Beach Bridge and Coquina Harbor.

Drew, of North Myrtle Beach Offshore Adventures, reports that gag grouper fishing has been good at structure in around 80′ of water lately. Live pinfish are the best baits.
King mackerel are feeding in the same areas, and trolling or light-lining with dead cigar minnows will get their attention.
Wahoo and sailfish are feeding in the Gulf Stream, and the action is still best down south around the Georgetown Hole.

Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a good number of spot over the past week on bloodworms, artificial bloodworms, and red wigglers.
Live shrimp have been producing action with over-slot black drum (28-32″) and some slot-sized reds.
A few gray trout are falling for the shrimp and bottom rigs.
The water is 63 degrees.

Wanda Taylor, of Kernersville, NC, with her first red drum, a 26”, 7+ lb. fish caught on a live finger mullet from the Carolina Beach Pier.

Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout bite is getting hot throughout the area. Big numbers of the specks have been coming from the Cape Fear River and the Masonboro jetties, and anglers are putting together decent catches between the two at docks off the ICW and in the inlet. Live shrimp under float rigs are the top trout producers, but anglers can also cast artificials like Billy Bay and DOA shrimp or MirrOlures with success.
There are still a few flounder around nearshore (with an 11 pounder weighed in last week), but the flatfish bite is slowing down a bit. Anglers targeting the flounder should fish small live baits on Carolina rigs for the best chances of success.
Red drum are feeding in the lower river and in the surf. Live baits or artificials like Gulps and topwater plugs should produce action with the inshore fish, and finger mullet or cut baits will get their attention in the surf.

Justin Stewart and Jason Rosenfeld with the results of a double hookup in the Fort Fisher surf just before the sharks’ healthy release. The pair of 9’ sand tiger sharks fell for bluefish baits that the anglers kayaked out to a deep drop-off 200 yards off the sand.

Surf casters are also hooking up with some black drum and good numbers of whiting.
The king mackerel have moved off the beaches, and the best odds of a decent king catch now are coming at least 10 miles out. Some nice fish were reported from the Dredge Wreck last week. Live baits are the best bet for the biggest kings, but anglers can find plenty of action while trolling dead cigar minnows, too.
Grouper fishing has been good lately 30+ miles off the beach, and anglers are finding a few gags feeding in a bit closer. Cigar minnows, cut baits, and live baits will produce action with the grouper.
Not many boats have made it out to the stream lately, but there have been reports of scattered wahoo and blackfin tuna.

Josh Williams and Kenny Altman, from Wilmington, NC, with a 9 lb. sheepshead caught in Snow’s Cut. Weighed in at Island Tackle and Hardware.

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that gray trout (some are 3-4 lbs.) are schooled up thick on nearshore structure like the Marriott Rocks and Sheepshead Rock. Jigging lures like Stingsilvers will tempt them to bite, and anglers can also bottom fish with cut mullet and other baits to hook up.
Inshore, the flounder bite is still decent, but most fish are smaller than a month or so ago (up to 2-3 lbs.). Live baits on Carolina rigs are the best way to target the flatties.
Whiting are schooling near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and a bottom rig baited with shrimp will attract their attention.
Upriver, there’s been a solid bite with speckled trout, striped bass, and a few puppy drum past the Brunswick River. Live shrimp and DOA shrimp are producing most of the fish, but anglers are hooking a few while casting topwaters like Skitterwalks.

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that although the weather’s been rough lately bottom fishing should still be hot in the 30-40 mile range. Ledges and other structure in the area are holding red and scamp grouper along with smaller bottomfish like beeliners, grunts, pinkies, and others. Some gag grouper are feeding a bit closer to the beach.
Cigar minnows, cut baits, and live baits are top choices for the grouper, and squid will appeal to the other bottomfish.
King mackerel are pushing offshore, which means even more fish are in the 30 mile range where anglers are grouper fishing. A light line baited with a cigar minnow will draw bites from the kings.

Austin, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are catching some whiting, spot, and pompano on shrimp.
Live pogies are producing action with some flounder.
Plug casters are hooking bluefish.

Capt. Chris MicKey and angler Ken MicKey with a 58 lb. wahoo caught while trolling just south of the Nipple on a skirted ballyhoo.

Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the speckled trout bite has been excellent throughout the area lately, and it should only continue to improve as the weather cools down. Several fish over 6 lbs. have been weighed in over the last week.
Anglers are finding the specks throughout the area, with solid reports coming from the Cape Fear River. Rich’s Inlet, and Masonboro Inlet. Deep holes inshore have been producing plenty of fish as well.
Anglers are hooking the specks on MirrOlures, X-Raps, and a variety of soft plastics. Live baits, like shrimp and finger mullet, are proving deadly as well.
There’s still some good flounder fishing going on as well, especially near the inlets. Small live baits on Carolina rigs are top choices for the flounder, but Gulp baits will produce action, too.
Surf fishing has been very productive lately from Topsail all the way south to Pleasure Island. Anglers baiting up with shrimp and sand fleas are hooking some huge whiting (2+ lbs.), pompano, and puppy drum.
The pups are also feeding around the jetty.
King mackerel reports have been a bit scattered lately, with most of the action coming from spots in the 15-25 mile range like the Schoolhouse, WR4, and 23 Mile Rock. Live baits, dead cigar minnows, and lures like Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and Drone Spoons should produce action with the kings when anglers can find them.
Bottom fishermen are finding action with gag grouper and black sea bass at ledges and other structure from 18 miles on offshore. Cigar minnows and other larger baits will get attention from the grouper, while squid should appeal to the sea bass. Jigging lures are also effective on the bottom feeders.
Gulf Stream trollers are reporting decent action with wahoo and blackfin tuna. Skirted ballyhoo should produce results in the blue water.

Carlton Clark with a 22 lb. gag caught in 80’ of water off of Carolina Beach. He was fishing on his 22’ McKee Craft “Tangled Up.”

Stu, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that 30-40″ red drum are schooling in the surf off Lea Island. Anglers are hooking up with them by casting the large 7″ Gulp baits and 17 and 27MR MirrOlures from the beach and boats on the backside of the surf.
The speckled trout bite is turning on at the Masonboro jetties, and anglers are hooking them on the same MirrOlures in pink/chartreuse/silver, chartreuse scale, and 808.
The kings have begun to move off the beaches, and the bite has been best in the 15-20 mile range lately. The fish are small but schooled up thick, so anglers should be able to hook up with good numbers when they find the schools.
Not many boats have made it to the Gulf Stream lately, but those who’ve been out are reporting decent numbers of wahoo and blackfin tuna. The action has been best up north around the 200 line, and the better bite has been in shallower water (130-150′).

William “BB” Parham, of Wilmington, with a pair of speckled trout that weighed in at 5 and 7 lbs. They were caught near Masonboro on live shrimp.

Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite is solid at structure in the 10-15 mile range and further out. Dead cigar minnows will produce plenty of action with the kings, both trolled on top and deep behind a planer. Anglers reported some fish to 30+ lbs. in the vicinity of the Dredge Wreck.
Gray trout are feeding on bottom structure south of Wrightsville Beach like Sheepshead and Corncake Rocks, but the action hasn’t been as hot closer to home. Jigging lures like Maria jigs will attract attention from the grays
Speckled trout are feeding in the creeks behind Masonboro Island, especially on the high falling tide. MirrOlures have been producing good action with the specks, and anglers getting out early enough may be able to find some topwater action.

Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that gag grouper, sea bass, pinkies, grunts, and other bottomfish are feeding at structure not too far from the beaches-in the 10 mile range. The action has been better up off Topsail than in the Wrightsville area. Cigar minnows and other baits on bottom rigs will get plenty of attention. Anglers can also fish metal jigging lures on lighter tackle with success.
King mackerel are feeding in many of the same places. Anglers found good catches of kings recently as close in as the first set of boxcars off Topsail, with plenty of amberjacks around, too.
Inshore, the trout bite has been good behind Figure Eight and near Richs Inlet. Trolling or casting MirrOlures and grubs will produce action with the specks.

Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that surf fishing has been producing plenty of action lately. While casting off the beach at Wrightsville, anglers are hooking up with pompano, whiting, speckled trout, flounder, and red drum. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will get attention in the suds, and anglers can also cast MirrOlures, swimbaits, and other artificials for the trout and drum.
Fishing just outside the surf zone from the boat has been producing action with speckled trout and some big bluefish off of Lea Island.

James, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that bottom fishing with shrimp and cut mullet is producing action with plenty of big whiting, red drum, black drum, and a few flounder. A 10.9 lb. black drum broke the pier record last week.
Anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout (most around 2 lbs.) on plugs.
The water is 65 degrees.

William Parker, Michael Coleman, Buck Jenkins, and Robert Coleman with a limit of gag grouper they caught while attending Capt. Brant’s Grouper Fishing School out of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center. They caught the fish in 65-75’ of water on live pinfish while fishing with Capt. Brant McMullan aboard the “Carolina Cat.”

Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boats are still catching some wahoo in the Gulf Stream, though the action hasn’t been spectacular. Ballyhoo beneath skirted lures are top baits for the wahoo and other Gulf Stream predators.
Gag grouper fishing has been solid lately at ledges and other structure in 75-90′ of water. Live baits like pinfish, pogies, and others are the best way to hook up with the larger grouper.
Schools of beeliners (vermillion snapper) are holding on the same structure, and bottom rigs baited with squid will entice them to bite.
Some big black sea bass are schooled up on structure out in 110′ or so, and they’ll be moving closer to shore as the water cools down, feeding within a few miles of land over the winter.
The king mackerel bite has pushed offshore to the 80-90′ depths. While there are plenty of school fish around the area, boats are finding some in the 20-30 lb. class as well. Cigar minnows will draw plenty of bites from the smaller kings, but boats have been successfully targeting the larger fish lately by trolling live bluefish. The bluefish can easily be jigged up on nearshore structure.

Everette Hannah (age 83), with a 7 lb. 7 oz. black drum that fell for cut shrimp while he was fishing from Ocean Isle Pier.

Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that puppy drum and speckled trout fishing has been excellent over the past few weeks, and it should remain good for a while if last winter is any indication.
The pups are feeding around structure off the ICW (like docks, bridges, and oyster rocks) and in the Shallotte River. There have also been big numbers of fish around the Little River jetties. Most of the inshore reds are running 16-18″ with a few larger 20-25″ fish in the mix.
The trout are still holding in the rivers and creeks for the most part, and they should push out to the ICW as the water cools down. The Lockwood and Shallotte Rivers and Shallotte Inlet have produced especially good trout fishing lately.
Both the trout and reds are falling for live shrimp fished on float rigs. Shrimp-imitating lures and MirrOlures will also produce some action.

Capt. Marty Wright, from Oak Island, with a 24.5 lb. red grouper caught aboard Capt. Carl Bullock’s “Hot Rod.” They were fishing 45 miles offshore of Lockwood Folly.

David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the king bite has been good lately around the Atlantic Ledge and other structure in the 20-30 mile area. Dead cigar minnows trolled deep behind a planer are producing most of the king bites.
Gag grouper are feeding at structure in 60-80′ of water. Live baits like pinfish are the top baits for the gags, though they’ve moved out the inlets and offshore. There have been plenty of the pins holding on the wrecks around 7 miles off the beach.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite has started, but it hasn’t gotten really hot yet. There are some big numbers of smaller puppy drum feeding in the creeks and backwaters to provide some action for the inshore angler.

Corey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that the spot bite’s been good lately, particularly for anglers fishing with bloodworms or red worm.
A few black drum are coming over the rails as well.
The water is 64 degrees.

Diana and Billy Parkin accept the first place plaques and checks in the 5th annual Ed Sewell Memorial Speckled Trout Tournament. The Parkins weighed in five trout totalling 15.98 lbs. that they landed on live shrimp in Queen

Bringing in a five-trout stringer weighing 15.98 lbs. to the scales at Hammock’s Beach State Park, Billy and Diana Parkin took home first place in the 5th annual Ed Sewell Speckled Trout Tournament, held November 1. Fishing aboard a customized Casper Skiff/flats boat, the Parkins didn’t have to go far from their Swansboro home or tournament HQ to find the winning fish.
“We fished Queen’s Creek and stayed there all day,” Billy Parkin said. Taking off work the Thursday and Friday before the event to pre-fish, Parkin caught some decent trout in Queen’s Creek on Thursday, then fished the White Oak River on Friday, but found nothing worth returning to during the tournament. However, the White Oak trip was good for something, as Billy cast-netted the live shrimp the anglers used for bait in the creek.
On Saturday morning, the Parkins headed for Billy’s chosen spot, a series of deep holes far up Queen’s Creek. “I had a feeling we’d do pretty good in there if we didn’t get beat to our hole. Those fish are usually there after the first cold front, and there was so much bait in the water,” Billy said. “I’d never actually been back there on as low a tide as we had Saturday. My little boat was throwing up a mud rooster tail trying to get back in there, so we were able to get back there before anybody in these bigger boats.”
After setting up on a spot in 4-5′ of water between some much deeper holes, the anglers didn’t have to wait long for action.
“We had our first fish in the boat inside of 20 minutes,” Billy recalled. The action stayed steady throughout the morning, and the couple caught fish until early afternoon, culling through a number to come up with the five they weighed. Live shrimp pinned to float rigs produced all of their fish during the tournament.
“We only fished shrimp,” Parkin said. “I caught some on soft plastics on Thursday, but they get picky sometimes and only want a shrimp.”
Narrowly finishing in second place, David Moore and Mike Phillips posted five trout weighing 15.65 lbs.
The anglers targeted the Browns Inlet area, and they found some action, but not spectacular fishing.
“We moved around and fished a lot of holes right near the inlet,” Moore said.
Like the winning specks, live shrimp fished beneath floats fooled all the second place fish.
It was 13.51 lbs. of speckled trout that earned third place in the tournament for Robert Goodman and Don “Grumpy” Midgett.
The third place anglers, also from Swansboro, found their fish in Queen’s Creek as well, fishing within sight of the winners for much of the day. They fished a series of holes ranging 10-20′ deep, and all their fish fell for live shrimp as well, though they cast Gulp baits and MirrOlures without success.
Fishing in a crowd of around 10 boats, Goodman reported catching fish steadily for the entire morning, though the surrounding fleet didn’t seem to be fairing as well. “They caught a couple here and there,” he said, “but not like we were catching them.”
Weighing in a 13.11 lb. five-trout aggregate, the Pimlico/Dozier team took fourth place in the event. Gainey/Benedict took fifth with 12.86 lbs.
A 2.04 lb. speck cemented the Top Junior Angler title in the tournament for Jacob Bucher. Terry Downs weighed in a 3.01 lb. fish that earned her the Lady Angler Crown.
The event also awards a prize for the largest lizardfish, and Todd Bunn weighed in a huge 1.45 lb. lizard to lock that competition up.
The Ed Sewell Memorial Speckled Trout Tournament was created five years ago by the Sewell family to serve as a memorial to Ed’s passion for trout fishing. Tournament Director Chris Sewell wished to express his gratitude to all the participating anglers, the Crystal Coast Fishing Association, and Hammocks Beach State Park for making it another successful year.

Carl Edwards, from Morehead City, with the 6.45 lb. speckled trout that has taken the lead in the Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Trout Challenge. He caught the big trout in the Core Creek area on a live shrimp under a float rig.

Tim, of Chasin Tails Outdoors, reports that the Haystacks are still hosting a hot bite for speckled trout (some to 6+ lbs.) and red drum (most 18-24″). The fish seem to be keyed in on shrimp, and live shrimp beneath popping corks, DOA and Billy Bay artificial shrimp, and Gulp baits are producing the most action.
Anglers are also finding excellent trout fishing in the creeks, particularly Core Creek and Spooner’s Creek, and the bite is beginning to get hot at the Cape Lookout rock jetty, too. Live shrimp under floats should produce action with the trout wherever they are.
Surf casters are picking up specks and reds while casting MirrOlures and soft plastics to the deep sloughs along Shackleford Banks and around the rocks at Fort Macon.
Some black drum are feeding at the Fort Macon rocks, too.
Gray trout have been feeding heavily at the Lookout jetty and underneath the Atlantic Beach bridge. Live shrimp are fooling the grays as well.
A lot of flounder have been coming from the port wall (including and 11 pounder weighed in last week). The key to the flatfish action seems to be fishing with live finger mullet on Carolina rigs. The only problem: the mullet are getting tougher and tougher to come by as the water cools down.
Bottom fishermen have been finding fast action around the port wall as well, landing spot, gray trout, and some big croakers. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp or spec rigs tipped with shrimp should produce action with the tasty bottom feeders.
A few sheepshead are still feeding around the bridges and at the port wall, and at the bridges, where fiddler crabs or sea urchins should temp them to strike. Anglers are also catching good number of sheepshead while trout fishing at the Lookout jetty.
The 1700 Rock, Atlas Tanker, and other spots east of Lookout Shoals are still producing some big king mackerel (some 40+ lbs.) and a few fat wahoo. Live baits are top choices for the biggest kings, and anglers who can’t catch pogies should be able to troll or jig up some bluefish, which are also very effective.
Bottom fishermen are still landing grouper around the 1700 Rock. Grouper, sea bass, triggerfish, and beeliners are feeding at the ledges near the 210 and 240 Rocks. Cigar minnows and other larger baits will appeal to the grouper, and anglers can target the other bottomfish with squid.

Carl Griffith, of Swansboro, with the 6.03 lb. second place trout in the Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Speckled Trout Challenge. He caught the big speck in the Neuse River on a float-rigged live shrimp.

Marty, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout (some to 5 lbs. and larger), along with a few gray trout are still feeding well back in the marshes. The Cape Lookout jetty is producing action with plenty of gray trout and scattered specks.
Artificials have been producing good results on the trout lately, with MirrOlures and Gulps the top choices. Live shrimp underneath floats are also very effective.
Gray trout and whiting are feeding along the bottom from the inlet to the turning basin and the port wall. Bottom rigs or spec rigs tipped with shrimp will draw attention from both, and anglers can also target the grays with jigging lures like Stingsilvers or Shore Lure Glass Minnows.
Not many boats have been offshore lately, but the headboats have been producing good catches of bottomfish including sea bass, grouper, and triggerfish.
The first confirmed bluefin tuna in the area was landed last weekend on the east side of the shoals, a 78″ fish between 350-400 lbs. As the water cools down, anglers can look forward to these giants feeding within 10-15 miles of the beaches.

Luke and Timothy Glennon, of Morehead City, with a catch including 9 lb. 7 oz. and 7 lb. 1 oz. speckled trout. Photo courtesy of Freeman’s Bait & Tackle.

Shane, of Fight N Lady, reports that the wahoo bite has been a little tough lately, with the best (although scattered) action to the south around the Swansboro Hole. The best fishing lately has been in the 35-40 fathom range, and ballyhoo under lures in dark colors like red/black have been most effective.
Closer to the beaches, the king mackerel bite has been excellent at all the rocks and ledges within 20 miles of shore. Trolling spoons is producing fast action with the mackerel, and the deeper baits have been attracting attention from some gag grouper as well.
The first bluefin of the year was caught last week, and it shouldn’t be long until the main body of fish shows up for the winter. Anglers hook the bluefins by trolling horse ballyhoo under large Blue Water Candy Jags and other lures, but those who haven’t done it before would be wise to take a charter to learn the ropes, as these gigantic fish can be very dangerous to even experienced anglers.

Ruth, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers are still hooking decent numbers of spot on bottom rigs baited with bloodworms.
Those baiting up with shrimp have been finding action with whiting and flounder.

Cade Siebrecht (age 5) with a 23” speckled trout caught in the Swansboro area on an ultralight 6 lb. tackle with a brown Billy Bay Halo Shrimp. He was fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters out of Swansboro.

Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the speckled trout fishing in the area is heating up for winter. Most of the fish are still holding in the creeks and rivers, and they’ll flush out to the sound once the water gets a little colder. Live shrimp are the best trout baits, but anglers are also catching good numbers on DOA and Billy Bay shrimp imitations, and some larger fish are coming on MirrOlures. Shades of white and brown, depending on the water color, have been the most productive colors lately.
Some specks are also feeding along the beach in deep holes of the surf zone, and anglers can either cast to them from the breakers or run the boat outside the wash on calm days. Trolling MirrOlures along the backs of the breakers will help boaters locate the fish.
There are plenty of red drum schooling up in the surf as well, and they’ll often respond to topwater lures. When the reds don’t want to feed on top, Gulp shrimp and flukes will fool them.
Some reds are also feeding alongside the trout in the creeks and rivers, and a float-rigged live shrimp will attract them as well.
The flounder population has split up, with most of the summers moving out the inlet and the southern flounder heading into the creeks and rivers. Anglers have been catching good numbers in the creeks, but most are small, with a few keepers thrown in.
False albacore are chasing bait just off the beaches around Bogue Inlet, and anglers are finding them but looking for birds or schools working bait on the surface. Even a group of 2-3 birds can be worth paying attention to, as they will follow fish that are cruising deep, waiting for them to surface and feed. Stingsilvers and other small metal lures are the top baits for the albacore, especially in the smaller 1/4-3/4 oz. sizes. Anglers can cast the lures to surface feeding fish or work them deep around birds or bait marks to hook up with the fish.

Claire Ferebee (age 14) with a 51” barracuda she hooked at the D Buoy on a live greenie. She was fishing with her sister, Jill, and father, Mike, aboard the “Rhonda Bee” out of Cedar Point.

Jamey, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that winter is on the way, but Crystal Coast fishing should be good all year long.
Red drum are already schooled up on the shoals of Bogue and other area inlets, and they should be working the area over the coming month. Anglers can sight cast to the fish with 4″ Big Bite Bait shrimp on 1/4 oz. lead heads with success.
Speckled trout and gray trout are schooling in the inlets, and anglers have been putting together quick limits recently. Red jigheads with artificial shrimp and red head/white body MirrOlures seem to be producing the best results with the trout.
Some bigger gray trout are schooled up on the ledges off Onslow Beach in 25-30′ of water. Vertically working a Stingsilver tipped with Fish Bites is the best way to target the larger grays.
If the water cools off enough this year, anglers should see a run of striped bass feeding on Cape Lookout Shoals over the winter. Birds and surface feeding fish will tip anglers off to the schools if the fish show up.
Several bluefin tuna have already been landed in the area, and anglers are hurriedly rigging up their 50-130 lb. class gear to go target these giant and exciting fish. Horse ballyhoo under large trolling lures are the best baits for the huge tunas, but anglers who’ve never tried it before would be wise to go with an experienced crew, as the fish can be extremely dangerous.

Claire Ferebee (age 14) with a 51” barracuda she hooked at the D Buoy on a live greenie. She was fishing with her sister, Jill, and father, Mike, aboard the “Rhonda Bee” out of Cedar Point.

Stan, of Capt. Stanman’s Charters, reports that king mackerel are still feeding heavily at rocks and other structure on the east side of Lookout Shoals. The bite remains hot at the 1700 Rock, where several 40 lb. fish have been landed recently. The Smell Wreck has also produced some phenomenal fishing lately, with boats landing limits of kings in the 30-40 lb. class.
Live pogies are still the top baits for the kings, but they’ve left the Harkers Island area. Anglers should be able to find them on the east side a few miles up from the Slough in 10-25′ of water. A heavy cast net is necessary to catch the fish in this deeper water, and most 8-10 footers aren’t up to the job. If anglers see mud balls in the water, it is likely the pogies are digging in to the bottom, and one throw of the net should load it up.
The wahoo bite has moved south of the Swansboro Hole, with decent numbers of 30 lb. class fish reported, and a few yellowfins in the mix.
Gag grouper are holding on ledges 16-20 miles off Bogue Inlet, and anglers in the know are limiting out on them with cigar minnows. Further off in the 40 mile range, the red grouper bite has been excellent.
On the east side of the shoals, bottom bouncers working some secret ledges are finding solid action with American red snapper and beeliners.

Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are starting to catch decent numbers of speckled trout in the surf and the sound, with most running on the small side so far. Live shrimp are the top trout producers, but many anglers are also hooking up while casting MirrOlures.
A few flounder are coming form the surf as well. Most are small, however, and anglers must weed through the little fish in order to land keepers.
Bottom fishermen on the piers are hooking puffers, whiting, and an occasional spot.

Jerry, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that bottomfishing has been productive lately, with anglers landing black drum, red drum, speckled trout, whiting, spot, and some bluefish. Shrimp and Fish Bites artificial bloodworms are producing the most action.
The water is 61 degrees.