FISHING REPORT

Winter Report from

www.deq.nc.gov

Ocean

Offshore, the springtime Gulf Stream fishing was in full swing, but the Dolphin catches were less than stellar. Boats brought in some Dolphin, but not in big numbers. On the flip side, the Blackfin Tuna fishing was outstanding, and the bill fishing was good. Anglers who bottom fished in the 35- to 50-mile range produced some decent catches of Scamp and Gag groupers, African Pompanos, and Vermilion Snapper, along with a wide range of other reef fish. Anglers fishing closer to shore, found a typical, late spring catch of king mackerel and cobias along the area beaches and in the 8- to 10-mile range. There were also good numbers of Spanish Mackerel along area beachInlets/Sounds/Bays

Inlets/Sounds/Bays

Anglers fishing on area piers saw another good week. The King Mackerel bite slowed some compared to the previous week, but one angler decked a 57-pound fish! Anglers caught Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish in good numbers using plugs and jigging spoons. Red Drum and Black Drum, along with some Spotted Seatrout, were caught using live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullets for bait. Bottom fishing was slow. Anglers landed low amounts of sea mullets (Kinkfish) and Pompano. Anglers fishing from the surf caught much of the same, with slot-size Red Drum and Black Drum, Bluefish, Pompano, and Sea Mullets making up the bulk.