Added on Thursday, April 10, 2008  Gary Hurley

Morehead City April 10, 2008

Lee, of Chasin Tails Outdoors, reports that the few boats making the run to the Gulf Stream lately have had decent catches of blackfin and yellowfin tuna, with more blackfins. Most of the action has been around the Big Rock, with some reports coming from just inshore of the Rock. Boats fishing off Hatteras have been experiencing good action with gaffer dolphin, and there should be some dolphin and wahoo around when the weather breaks. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures will get attention from all the Gulf Stream predators.

Bottom fishing has been good lately as well, with solid action on grouper, sea bass, and some snapper at structure around the 240 and 210 rocks. King mackerel are also feeding in the same areas, so boats setting out a light line while bottom fishing will likely add a few kings to the box.

Inshore anglers are still finding some red drum and speckled trout in creeks throughout the area. Mirrolures, Gulp baits, X-Raps, and live mud minnows should appeal to the trout and drum.

There are already decent numbers of baitfish and a few shrimp showing up in the creeks, boding well for solid spring inshore fishing.

Gray trout have begun to make an appearance in the turning basin. Spec rigs tipped with shrimp or jigging spoons should get attention from the grays.

 

Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that a few whiting and gray trout are beginning to show up in the turning basin. Slowly bouncing a spec rig tipped with shrimp or bloodworms off the bottom will attract attention from both of these tasty bottom feeders (if they’re around).

Surf fishermen experienced a brief run of the larger Hatteras bluefish (up to 24+”) last week, so hopefully more schools of the big blues will appear. Cut baits on the bottom should prove irresistible to the blues when and if they show up.

Atlantic bonito may have already turned up at nearshore structure off Beaufort Inlet, but the weather hasn’t let many boats out to find them. When the weather calms, casting or trolling with small spoons, jigs, and plugs near bait marks or structure should draw strikes from the bonito.

April is typically a hot Gulf Stream month, but not many boats have been out to give reports recently.

 

Shane, of the Fight N Lady, reports that the Gulf Stream bite was good the last time boats were able to make the run to blue water. Wahoo were dominating the catch on the boat’s last trip, with a few yellowfin tuna and some dolphin mixed in. Ballyhoo rigged beneath Blue Water Candy Mini-Jags (particularly in blue/white) have been the hottest baits so far this year.

When the weather allows anglers to get offshore, the Big Rock is a good place to begin searching for the fish.

 

Bobby, of Sunrise Charters, reports that boats that have made it offshore recently have landed yellowfin tuna, king mackerel, and amberjacks, with a few marlin reported as well.

Offshore bottom fishing should be excellent when the weather permits smaller boats to go out.

The boats that have been bottom fishing lately have done well in 23+ fathoms, as the water hasn’t warmed up much inshore. Beeliners and triggerfish are making up much of the catch, and they are falling for squid strips, cigar minnows, and Boston mackerel. False albacore chunks also make excellent baits.

 

George, of Down East Guide Service, reports that the past few mild winters have created a solid crop of speckled trout in the Pamlico area. Now that the water temperatures have come up some, the trout are beginning to feed well, especially in the creeks off of the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers.

Most of the specks range from 10″-3 lbs., but there are some larger, citation-class fish around as well. Decent numbers of puppy drum and striped bas are mixed in with the trout.

Some of the best action has been in the creeks just below Washington and New Bern, like Bath Creek off the Pamlico River and Upper Broad Creek off the Neuse.

 

Anita, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing with shrimp are hooking up with a few whiting and bluefish. Plenty of sand sharks and skates are showing up as well.

The water is in the low 60’s, and as it warms up over the next few weeks, the fishing should improve.