Southeast NC fishing in May, when the fishing really gets cranked up! Many different species of fish start to show up and it is when I feel like summer fishing is really getting started. Spring has been pretty good fishing so far, now if we can just get the weather to cooperate a little more!
As the weather stabilizes and the temps go up in May I see more days where I can get out in the ocean. I love to look for those high speed, good eating and so much fun to catch Atlantic bonito in earlier/mid-May and Spanish mackerel all month long. These fish are a lot of fun to see busting the surface of the water and even more fun to see on the end of your line! Casting spoons (Big Nic Spanish Candy lures) in sizes 1/2oz up to the new 1.5oz (Capt. Jot edition), using high-speed spinning reels has really got my clients more bites! *See here: https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT I have really become a fan myself of casting a high-speed low-profile bait-caster reels when casting to Bonito and Spanish. I use a PENN Fathom high-speed 300 reel. *See here https://alnk.to/gVMHXSX You can also use fly gear in weights seven to nine, this can make for a great challenge on fly tackle. Look for these fish to be hanging around near shore artificial reefs, ledges, and inlets. You might come over a few false albacore and bluefish mixed in with the bonito and Spanish from time to time; sometimes too many bluefish are mixed in! *We have already seen a good number of small King mackerel mixed in this year. Check your fish carefully for undersize Kings!!
Redfish and May go hand and hand; this month is a favorite for casting artificial lures to Reds. Redfish really start to settle down in their summer spots by early/mid-May. I prefer inshore water temps of 70 degrees or higher for the shallow water bite to start. Casting Berkley Gulp shrimp in three-inch size on light jig heads is my go-to lures for May redfish. *See here: https://alnk.to/58q5o7A My go to colors are pearl white, sugar spice glow, purple chrome, sangria, and red chrome. Another Redfish lure I like is the Berkley Powerbait CullShad in 5” in colors Cold beer, silver flash and Dark night (stained waters) fishing shallow waters of one to five foot. *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq I rig the CullShad on Eagle Claw 1/8oz & 1/4oz swimbait hooks. Catching redfish on top water lures is so much fun; casting plugs like MirrOlure’s top pup or top dog jr. You can also cast popping or rattling corks in these shallow areas with a Berkley Gulp three-inch shrimp on a 1/8oz jig head which will catch the Redfish in shallow waters. If you would rather go the bait route; try some fresh cut or live Mullet or Menhaden on a light Carolina rig. Using Eagle Claw L42 1/0 hooks to make up a Carolina rig. Try fishing fresh cut bait around docks on the ICW or along creek mouths when the tide is moving, in five to ten feet of water.
By mid-May the cobia start to show up around southeast NC; one of my favorites! I forecast that the cobia will be here early this season. I look for cobia around inlets, shoals, and bait schools; near shore/offshore reefs and ledges are all good places to look. When the water is clear it will be easier to see those brown logs in the water. I throw big jigs like (Berkley Fusion 19 bucktails) *See here: https://alnk.to/cHMQmfL or live bait to the Cobia. Color really does not seem to matter but go bright; I always put a Gulp six-inch grub on the bucktail for Cobia. *See here: https://alnk.to/6TBItPv If I am casting live bait to Cobia, I use a TroKar TK5 AP 8/0 or 9/0 bait saver series circle hook with at least three feet of sixty-pound Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader. *See here: https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2 When I am not sight casting for Cobia we are fishing around inlets, shoals and near shore artificial reefs. I float fish, bottom fish, and kite fish in these areas with live menhaden, pinfish, or mullet as bait. Sometimes a great bonus fish when fishing for Cobia that would be a nice bull Redfish or later in the season a Tarpon (And yes, the Tarpon will be early again this season!) You can chum for Cobia if you like, but the sharks and rays will come, and they will come in numbers!
Another fish that really starts to show up around the inshore creeks, inlets and near shore reefs of Southeast North Carolina is the good’ole Bluefish. During later April through May, you can catch some bigger Bluefish too; like ten pounds plus big! These blues will hit Berkley Gulp six-inch jerkshad *See here: https://alnk.to/gKQ67Wp and Berkley CullShad *See here: https://alnk.to/44Vxvaq lures in bright colors, I rig both of these lures on TroKar 1/4oz swim bait hooks *see here: TroKar TK170 Hard baits like big poppers and MirrOlure Top Dog’s work well too for the big Blues. Do not forget the steal leaders for these fish or they will get a free lure from you every time! Try light single strand wire in sizes #2, #3 or #4 will keep your lure on the end of your line and not in a bluefish’s pocket! I catch Blues in the one-to-fifteen-pound range during April, (some years there are more than others and sometimes only a few of the bigger ones show up.
Tackle run down: Reels PENN Slammer IV https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Battle IV https://alnk.to/dAnHgs1 series Spinning reels 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000 sizes. Slammer IV HS https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT & Authority spinning reels in the High-Speed series 2500 or Fathom 300 high-speed low-profile bait-casters
https://alnk.to/gVMHXSX for Bonito & Spanish mackerel casting. Rods: Fenwick HMG Inshore series rods https://alnk.to/biuF0uB 7’ Medium class 8-to-17-pound test rods for Redfish, Inshore flounder, Bonito etc. Ocean Flounder 7’ Med/Hvy class 12-to-25-pound test. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound braid. Cobia Reels PENN Fathom II 20LW *See here: https://alnk.to/gKQ67P2 casting, Slammer IV or SpinFisher VI spinning 5500 or 6500 spinning reels, with a PENN Rampage or Carnage III Jigging rods 50-to-100-pound class. Tackle Bags/storage I prefer the Plano Guide series (3700) size *See here: https://alnk.to/cwTYwWT and Z-series (3600 or 3700) size tackle bags *See here: https://alnk.to/d3Eftpw with Plano EDGE tackle trays inside. * See here: https://alnk.to/aWEPmIu
Thanks for reading, Get outside and good fishing to you!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
Posted in Fishing Reports on May 2nd, 2025
It has been a downright cold winter so far, but as I write this report it is warming up nicely for the beginning of February! Fishing can be great during February especially when we have mild runs of weather. Here are some of the species I target around Southeast NC during February.
Cape Fear River Striped Bass are one of my favorites for winter fishing in our area. I look for the Stripers on drop offs, around pilings and creek mouths. Working baits like Berkley Gulp six-inch jerkshad or the new Berkley Powerbait CullShad should get you bites from Striped Bass. I prefer chart pepper neon, Fire tiger and fool’s gold colors for the jerkshad *See here https://alnk.to/gKQ67Wp I use fresh water and saltwater CullShad colors for the Striped Bass fishing. Berkley Power Bait CullShad saltwater colors *See here https://alnk.to/h6GNDA8 and freshwater colors *see here https://alnk.to/9T9W6Dc I rig my jerkshad and CullShad lures on swimbait 7/0 TroKar TK-170 hooks, in 1/4oz or 3/8oz *see here TroKar TK170 Mid water crank baits work too, try lures that dive from three to eight feet deep for best results. If the crank bait starts to hit the bottom let it float up a bit or trust me, you will lose it to structure! Water temps are cold this time of year in the river, I prefer anything above 45 degrees but have caught them as low as 39*. Do not forget that the Cape Fear River Striped Bass fishery is a closed fishery and is catch & release only; you must release all Striped Bass. Keep your eyes out for tagged Stripers there are a lot of tagged fish out there, some even have $100 Red Tags!!
There is one fish that can be caught very easily during the winter months, if you find them! The Redfish bite can be some of the best of the year for catching numbers of fish; the deal breaker for this fishery is you have got to have good weather, calm seas, and bright sunny skies for the ocean schools. I find the winter ocean Reds around the inlets, sand bars, up and down the beaches in the surf line. I use Berkley Gulp paddleshad in colors black gold or black silver *see here https://alnk.to/c09aeMg also, the Berkley Gulp three- & four-inch Shrimp *see here https://alnk.to/58q5o7A work well too both rigged on 3/8oz jig heads. *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg A MirrOlure Catch 2000Jr or 2000 lures work well for winter Redfish in the ocean too.
During February I look for schooling Redfish on sunny, warmer, and light wind days. I find these schools on oyster rocks/flats, dark mud bottoms and shallow flats just off the ICW. The Reds will sun on these dark colored bottom areas for a little extra warm up; this is also where you will see some bait fish doing the same thing (warming up). In February the Reds are not hard to catch when you find them, but sometimes finding them can be a challenge. My go to bait for the winter Redfish is scented grubs like the Berkley Gulp Dragon tail https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx or shrimp https://alnk.to/58q5o7A Redfish love these things. Rig grubs with thirty-pound fluorocarbon and a darker colored jig heads like red or gray should get the redfish to bite for you. I use the Fusion 19 jig head series. *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg Work’em slow as to not spoke the Redfish. Sometimes a light Carolina rig with a small piece of cut shrimp; for those stubborn winter Redfish may help you get a bite.
There is one fish that a lot of anglers overlook during the winter months, the Black Drum. What I love about these fish is you can catch them in good numbers this time of year and there pretty darn good to eat! On top of all that they can be easy to catch; all you need is a little fresh (as you can get) shrimp. I use a light Carolina rig with an Eagle claw L42 #1 or #2 hook. Light meaning using as light as a sinker that you can get away with so as not to spook the drum. Fish around docks, oyster rock flats and inlets for these Black Drum; often you will catch Redfish and Sheepshead (smaller) mixed in as well.
What chilly winter so far in Southeast NC. You can find a good winter Speckled trout bite, but it takes the right weather pattern for good results. Yes, as of the writing of this report, Speckled trout is release only until June 15 due to the cold stun effects. Here are some ways I like to target Speckled trout into later winter months. A lure that always comes to mind for winter Speckled trout is the MirrOlure in the 52M, 52MR and TT series. MirrOlure color codes I prefer are: 11, 21, 26, 51, 704, CFPR, CH, EC, HP AND Capt. Jot Custom color #1, #2, or #3 (only found at Tex’s Tackle shop). Most any local tackle shop can help you with these color codes (a lot easier than spelling them all out here). As far as colors go, I try to use light colors in clearer waters and darker colors in stained/river or dirty waters.
Good looking scented lures that have been working very well for me when the water temps drop. Berkley Gulp three-inch shrimp, five-inch Jerkshad and of course the new Dragon tail! Gulp comes in many colors, but here is a few that I like for trout in (shrimp pattern); sugar spice glow, pearl white, Sangria & Scooby. In the Dragon tail I really like the colors scooby, sangria, big money, and key lime chrome. See the Dragon tail here https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx
The Berkley PowerBait Bonga saltwater series really impressed me last season and this one so far. I worked on this project, and I am really excited about these lures. There are three shapes in this series that I really like and come with a new saltwater scent: different from the regular Powerbait scent. I am really liking the Bonga Shad, Bonga Shrimp and Bonga Stick of this series! *Check out the Bonga series here https://alnk.to/cSIC5G1
I rig all my trout soft plastic lures on 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz jigs heads in colors red, gray, or white and I always use a fluorocarbon leader when trout fishing. I use the Fusion 19 jig head series. *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg I prefer Berkley Pro Spec twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers. *See here https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2
Tackle run down: PENN New Battle IV https://alnk.to/eZHlnEs and Slammer IV Spinning https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j reels in sizes 2000, 2500, 3000 & 3500. Low profile bait-caster PENN Fathom 200 size https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH, if that is your game! Redfish, Speckled trout, and Striped Bass Rods: Fenwick Inshore HMG 7’ medium action (Redfish & Striped Bass), Speckled Trout Fenwick Eagle rod series in 7’ medium action; line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in eight- or ten-pound test for Speckled trout fishing and ten and fifth-teen pound for Reds/Stripers. Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide Series *see here https://alnk.to/gKQItqB and Z-series https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 with EDGE https://alnk.to/eZH8FjA boxes inside.
*PS: One spinning reel series that I think is overlooked is the PENN Fierce IV. I use these reels for Speckled trout and Largemouth bass fishing in sizes 2000 & 2500. PENN is having a great sale for the month of February on the Fierce IV series. Check out the full line of Fierce spinning reels here https://alnk.to/dAnZ4oa
Thanks for reading, stay warm or cool and good fishing to you!
Capt. Jot Owens
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on January 30th, 2025
New Dragon Tail Gulp lure!
Wow it is December and winter weather too! Where did fall go, from what I remember it was pretty good. I guess that is why it went by so darn fast! So, December and much colder weather. Hard, fast change of weather, more like January. Here is how I am going to attack this much cooler December fishing.
December can be a good month for bigger speckled trout, especially when we get colder weather fronts. Knowing what to cast, can make a big difference in what you catch. Hard baits like MirrOlures have put some big trout in the boat for me and for many other anglers over the years. The different series I prefer are the 17MR & 22MR (Catch 2000jr) suspending, 18MR, 51M and 52MR sinking baits.
Colors: MirrOlure makes a lot of different colors but here are some of my go to colors around Southeast NC area waters. MirrOlure color codes: 11, 21, 26, 51, 704, 706, CFPR, CH, EC, HP, and Capt. Jot Custom color #1 (Pink back/white belly), #2 (purple back/pink belly) and #3 (Blue back/pink belly) colors in 17MR, #1 in 22MR & 52MR (only found at Tex’s Tackle shop) Any local tackle shop can help you with these color codes or at MirrOlure.com. Fishing Depths to use these lures; 17MR & 22MR use these lures in two to six feet of water (suspending). 18MR, 51M & 52MR use these lures in four to fifth-teen plus feet of water with current (sinking). If your lure is hitting the bottom go to a shallower running lure (suspending type). If the water is in the 50’s slow down your presentation. I am a firm believer in “you can work a MirrOlure to fast, you really can’t work them to slow.”
As water temps drop, I really do enjoy using soft plastic lure. The reason I enjoy them more when the water temps fall is, less darn trash fish!!! Like Puffers, Bluefish and lizardfish that eat up my soft plastic lures!! Good looking scented lures that have been working very well for me when the water temps drop. Berkley Gulp three-inch shrimp, five-inch Jerkshad and of course the new Dragon tail! Gulp comes in many colors, but here is a few that I like for trout in (shrimp pattern); sugar spice glow, pearl white, Sangria & Scooby. In the Dragon tail I really like the colors scooby, sangria, big money, and key lime chrome. See the Dragon tail here https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx PS: they are on sale right now!!
The Berkley PowerBait Bonga saltwater series really impressed me last season and this one so far. I worked on this project, and I am really excited about these lures. There are three shapes in this series that I really like and come with a new saltwater scent: different from the regular PowerBait scent. I am really liking the Bonga Shad, Bonga Shrimp and Bonga Stick of this series! *Check them out here https://alnk.to/cSIC5G1 PS: they are on sale too!!
I rig all my trout soft plastic lures on 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz jigs heads in colors red, gray, or white and I always use a fluorocarbon leader when trout fishing. I use the Fusion 19 jig head series. *See here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg I prefer Berkley Pro Spec twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers. *See here https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2
Do not count out live bait for Speckled trout if you enjoy fishing with it. Just understand as it gets colder live bait will be harder to come by. Try live smaller finger mullet, mud minnows and shrimp. In shallow waters of two to six feet I like to float these live baits with a cork and a small treble hook. In deeper waters of six to ten plus I rig them on light Carolina rigs with a small #1 or #2 Eagle claw L42 offset circle hook. Just wait until you feel that trout take off with the bait and lightly set the hook, remember trout have very soft mouths fast hooks sets but with light power work best.
In December another fish I really like to hunt for on sunny, warmer, and light wind days is schooling Redfish. I find these schools on oyster rocks/flats, sand bars in the surf and shallow flats just off the ICW. In December the Reds are not hard to catch when you find them but sometimes finding them can be a challenge. My go to bait for the winter Redfish is scented grub like the Berkley Gulp Dragon tail https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx or shrimp https://alnk.to/58q5o7A Redfish love these things. Rig grubs with thirty-pound fluorocarbon and a darker colored jig heads like red or gray should get the redfish to bite for you. Sometimes a light Carolina rig with a small piece of cut shrimp; for those stubborn fall/winter Redfish may help you get a bite.
Just a little inland in Southeast, NC runs the Cape Fear River and in the Cape Fear there is one of my favorite winter fisheries, the Striped Bass. These fish are not the easiest to catch, but they fight very well even in cold water. Working drop offs and grass lines on the edge of the river is where you can find the Stripers, using swim bait lures like Berkley Power Bait Cull shad https://alnk.to/h6GNDA8 These lures should put a few Cape Fear Stripers on your line. I rig these lures on swimbait hooks for weedless fishing, (lots of hangs in the river). I use TroKar TK170 and TK178 swimbait hooks, super sharp! Do not forget that the Cape Fear River Striped Bass Fishery is closed; catch and release only!
Tackle run down: PENN New Battle IV https://alnk.to/eZHlnEs and Slammer IV Spinning https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j reels in sizes 2000, 2500, 3000 & 3500. Low profile PENN Fathom 200 size https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH, if that is your game! Fishing for Redfish, Speckled trout, and Striped Bass Rods: Fenwick Inshore HMG 7’& 7’6” med/light (Speckled Trout) and medium action (Redfish & Striped Bass); line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in eight- or ten-pound test for Speckled trout fishing and ten and fifth-teen pound for Reds/Stripers. Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide Series *see here https://alnk.to/gKQItqB and Z-series https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 with EDGE https://alnk.to/eZH8FjA boxes inside.
*10% Off 2025 four- or five-hour Fishing Charter gift certificates, only a few left! Message me for details, and yes you can buy one for yourself!
Thanks for reading have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, a Happy New Year, and good winter fishing to you!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on December 3rd, 2024
I know I say this just about every month that passes, but dang! Where did October Go?? The temps have been mild to say the least, I am hoping for some cooler weather soon. Speckled trout is the name of the game for myself most Novembers. With a few other species mixed in as well. Here is my November fishing forecast and info.
November for many years has been when I catch some of the biggest Speckled trout all year. Hard baits like MirrOlures have put some big trout in the boat for me and for many other anglers over the years. One key point to trout I have found is that most days Specks will bite, but what are they eating that day? This is when you need to know where to start; what lures to try? The series I prefer are the 17MR & 22MR (Catch 2000jr) suspending, 18MR, 51M and 52MR sinking baits.
Colors; MirrOlure makes a lot of different colors but here are some of my go to colors around Southeast NC area waters. MirrOlure color codes: 11, 21, 26, 51, 704, 706, CFPR, CH, EC, HP. Any local tackle shop can help you with these color codes or at MirrOlure.com. Fishing Depths to use these lures; 17MR & 22MR use these lures in two to six feet of water (suspending). 18MR, 51M & 52MR use these lures in five to fifth teen plus feet of water with current (sinking). If your lure is hitting the bottom, go to a shallower running lure (suspending type). I prefer for my leaders Berkley Pro Spec twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers. *See here https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2
If you have ever done any trout fishing at all you know that the grub/jig (soft plastic) lures work very well for Speckled trout especially when the water temps get below sixty degrees. Good looking scented lures that have been working very well for me lately are Berkley Gulp three-inch shrimp and five-inch Jerkshad. Gulp comes in many colors, but here is a few that I like for trout in (shrimp pattern); sugar spice glow, pearl white, Key lime chrome and flamingo chrome *see here https://alnk.to/58q5o7A A brand NEW Gulp bait will hit stores very soon but is available now online is the Dragon Tail. This lure has so much action and comes in many great colors. Click this link here https://alnk.to/ge6QBpx to see the entire Dragon tail series. The dragon tail can be rigged so many ways, but I really like them on a lighter jig head (1/8oz). Its such a basic shaped lure, yet the action is crazy good! Check them out!
The newer Bonga series of lures really did well last trout season for me and they continue to work well this season so far. I like the Bonga shad in four-inch size. *See here https://alnk.to/9T9mW3i Also the Bonga shrimp for targeting larger Trout and Redfish has done well. *See here https://alnk.to/6TAugdn If you like trick/stick style trout lures, check out the Bonga stick in 5” size *See here https://alnk.to/4MBourN
I rig all my trout soft plastic lures on 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz Fusion jigs heads *see here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg in colors red, gray, or white and I always use a fluorocarbon leader when trout fishing. I prefer Berkley Pro Spec twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers. *See here https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2
Do not count out live bait if you enjoy fishing with it. Try live smaller mullets, mud minnows and live shrimp. In shallow waters of two to six feet I like to float these live baits with a cork and a small #6 treble hook. In deeper waters of six to ten plus I rig them on light Carolina rigs with a small #1 or #2 Eagle claw L42 offset circle hook. Just wait until you feel that trout take off with the bait and lightly set the hook, remember trout have very soft mouths fast hooks sets but with light power work best. Here again Pro Spec twenty-pound test fluorocarbon leaders. *See here https://alnk.to/aLJ9PR2
In November the Reds are not hard to catch when you find them, but sometimes finding them can be a challenge. Depending the weather, as in how cold or how warm it has been, will determine where the Redfish are. Colder weather the Reds will move more, warmer weather they are more likely to be in there late summer/early fall spots. My go to bait for the winter Redfish is scented grub like the Berkley Gulp jerkshad *see here https://alnk.to/3U1gTCB or shrimp *see here https://alnk.to/58q5o7A Redfish love these things. I rig Gulp baits with thirty-pound fluorocarbon and a darker colored jig heads like red or gray *see here https://alnk.to/28RH5yg should get the redfish to bite for you. Sometimes a light Carolina rig with a small piece of cut shrimp; for those stubborn fall/winter Redfish may help get a bite.
False Albacore and Bluefish can be great during November. You can cast or troll for them and fly fishing can be great as well. The Albacore and Blues will be around the inlets, up & down the beaches and near shore artificial reefs. Look for jumping Albacore and diving birds; that is where you need to fish. Casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle will put some Albacore and Blues on your line. Keep your eye peeled in local tackle shops for my new 1.5oz Big Nic Spanish Candy in Capt. Jot custom color. One tip that has really helped my customers catch more of the Spanish, false albacore and Atlantic bonito is using high speed spinning reels. I did not think it would make such a difference but it really has, speeding up the presentation gets more bites! I really like the Slammer IV High speed *See here https://alnk.to/4BFOrsT spinning reel for this application.
Tackle run down: Slammer IV https://alnk.to/aWD5L7j & Authority https://alnk.to/fSgjdIK spinning reels 2500, 3000, 3500 sizes or PENN Low profile (bait-caster) * See here https://alnk.to/dAmWQIH 200 or 300 sizes for the Spanish mackerel/false albacore (High speed series), normal speed for Redfish. 2000 and 2500 Clash II spinning reels *see here https://alnk.to/cHNuD1x or New Battle IV series *see here https://alnk.to/eZHlnEs for Speckled trout. Fenwick HMG Inshore spinning 7’ medium for the Redfish. Fenwick Eagle series rods for Speckled trout in medium 7’. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound for light tackle fishing. Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide Series *see here https://alnk.to/gKQItqB and Z-series https://alnk.to/9bu8in4 with EDGE https://alnk.to/eZH8FjA boxes inside.
*For a limited time get 10% off anything at https://alnk.to/cHNHLlT using my pro code: BERKCAPTJ10
Good November fishing to you, Stay warm or Cool and Happy Thanksgiving!
Capt. Jot Owens
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on November 7th, 2024
October is the month when ‘Fall’ fishing really gets in full swing around Southeast, North Carolina! So many great fishing opportunities during October; Big Redfish (RED October!), Specked trout, High Speed Spanish Mackerel, False Albacore, and more!
The bigger Reds are starting to show up in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets during October. You never know when you might hook one of these hard fighting fish. When I fish for bigger Reds, I use fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet. Carolina rigs with TroKar TK5BS 9/0 Circle hook and eighty-pound clear Berkley Big game mono leaders. Do not forget to keep your drag tight when using circle hook so the hook will do its job. One tip I can give you when fishing for Bull (Old) Reds, is do not use to light of tackle for these bigger Reds. If you fight them to long, there is a chance you can tire them out too much and kill them. Try a med/heavy rod and a reel with at least thirty-pound mono or braid, this will help you get the fish in quicker; with a better chance of a good release. Check to see if the Drum has a yellow tag in its back; there are a fair amount of tagged Big Reds out there.
When the water starts to cool down just a little bit the Redfishing (puppy drum) will heat up. I look for the Reds to be in the creeks, along the ICW docks, oyster rocks, and anywhere bait is moving by! Carolina rigs with live bait or fresh cut bait is a good bet to catch a Redfish. If you want to go the artificial root, try Gulp Shrimp three- or four-inch in colors sugar spice glow, molting, new penny fleck or any of the Chrome series rigged on a 1/8oz or 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads should get’em to bite. Early mornings or late afternoons the top water bite should be good; cast MirrOlure Top Dog Jr’s or Top Pup’s for the best bite. Look for the top-water reds to be along marsh grass lines and shallow oyster rocks. You can also use rattling or popping corks in the same areas you use top-water plugs. Just rig them with eight to fourteen inches of forty-pound fluorocarbon, 1/0 hook L42 Eagle Claw and a live figure mullet or a 1/8oz Jig head & a Gulp Shrimp.
During October I catch some of the biggest numbers of Speckled trout all year. Hard baits like MirrOlures have put some big numbers of trout in the boat for me and for many other anglers over the years. One key point to trout I have found is that most days Specks will bite, but what are they eating that day? This is when you need to know where to start; what lures to try? The series I prefer are the 17MR & 22MR (Catch 2000jr) suspending, 18MR, 51M and 52MR sinking baits.
Colors; MirrOlure makes a lot of different colors but here are some of my go to colors around Southeast NC area waters. MirrOlure color codes: 11, 21, 26, 51, 704, 706, CFPR, CH, EC, HP and Capt. Jot Custom color #1 (Pink back/white belly), #2 (purple back/pink belly) and #3 (Blue back/pink belly) colors in 17MR, #1 in 22MR & 52MR (only found at Tex’s Tackle shop) Any local tackle shop can help you with these color codes or at MirrOlure.com. Fishing Depths to use these lures; 17MR & 22MR use these lures in two to six feet of water (suspending). 18MR, 51M & 52MR use these lures in four to fifth-teen plus feet of water with current (sinking). If your lure is hitting the bottom, go to a shallower running lure (suspending type). I prefer for my leaders Berkley Pro Spec Fluorocarbon twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers.
If you have ever done any trout fishing at all you know that the grub/jig (soft plastic) lures work very well for Speckled trout. Good looking scented lures that have been working very well for me lately are Berkley Gulp Shrimp and Gulp Jerkshad come in many colors, but here is a few that I like for trout in (shrimp pattern); sugar spice glow, pearl white, Key lime chrome and flamingo chrome The new chrome series of Gulp baits have really caught my eye.
The newer Bonga series of lures really did well last trout season for me. I like the Bonga Shad in four-inch size. Also, the Bonga Shrimp for targeting larger Trout and Redfish did well too. If you like trick/stick style trout lures, check out the Bonga Stick. I rig all my trout soft plastic lures on 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz Fusion Jigheads heads in colors red, gray, or white and I always use a fluorocarbon leader when trout fishing. I prefer for my leaders Berkley Pro Spec Fluorocarbon twenty pound in clear, thirty pound if the blues show up in numbers.
Do not count out live bait if you enjoy fishing with it. Try live smaller mullets, mud minnows and live shrimp. In shallow waters of two to six feet I like to float these live baits with a cork and a small #6 treble hook. In deeper waters of six to ten plus I rig them on light Carolina rigs with a small #1 or #2 Eagle claw L42 offset circle hook. Just wait until you feel that trout take off with the bait and lightly set the hook, remember trout have very soft mouths fast hooks sets but with light power work best. Here again Pro Spec Fluorocarbon twenty-pound test fluorocarbon leaders.
Spanish mackerel and false albacore fishing can be great during October. The Spanish run the biggest (in size) all year during the fall. You can cast or troll for them and the fly fishing can be great as well. The Spanish/albacore will be around the inlets, up & down the beaches and near shore artificial reefs. Look for jumping Spanish and diving birds; that is where you need to fish. Casting small spoons like Big Nic Spanish candies on light spinning tackle will put some Spanish in the boat for you. Keep your eye peeled in local tackle shops for my new 1.5oz Big Nic Spanish Candy in Capt. Jot custom color. One tip that has really helped my customers catch more of the Spanish, false albacore and bonito is using high speed spinning reels. I did not think it would make such a difference but it really has, speeding up the presentation gets more bites! I really like the Slammer IV High speed spinning reel for this application. If you would rather troll, give a Blue Water Candy Daisy Chain a try on top and a #1 planner down deep with a Clark spoon. If you would like to give fly fishing a try, use a six to eight weight set up with floating line with a small minnow pattern fly or epoxy minnow pattern: my favorite.
Tackle run down: Slammer IV & Authority spinning reels 2500, 3000, 3500 sizes or PENN Low-profile reels (baitcasters) 200 or 300 sizes for the Spanish mackerel/false albacore (High speed series), normal speed for Redfish. 2000 and 2500 Clash II or New Battle IV spinning reels for Speckled trout. Bull Drum (Big Drum) Slammer IV & Authority Spinning reels 5500 & 6500 reels with Carnage III rods series, PENN Fathom II 20LW casting reels with Carnage III spinning rod. Fenwick HMG Inshore spinning 7’ medium and med/heavy for the Redfish. Fenwick Eagle series rods for Speckled trout in medium 7’. Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound for light tackle fishing and Berkley Pro Spec mono thirty pound in orange for the Bull Drum. Tackle Storage I prefer Plano Guide series and Z-Series with EDGE boxes inside.
Good October fishing to you and thanks for reading!
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139
Posted in Fishing Reports on October 3rd, 2024
