*NEW* Below - click on the VIDEOS to check out some exciting clips!
APRIL/MAY ATLANTIC BONITO
You've heard me say it countless times on the internet, at many of my seminars and in person - Atlantic Bonito are simply one of my favorite fish to catch. They also are my favorite fish to eat. You'll also hear me say that several thousand more times.
A small (averaging about 4-6lbs) tuna, Bonito are a hard fighting fish on light tackle and are characterized by their smoking runs. In addition, they're an aggressive predator and will often hit just about any lure tossed in their general direction. Very fly friendly, we spend most of our tinme either casting to breaking schools or blind casting spoons, topwaters or flies over structure. Another reason why we like them so much is how consistant they are - once they're here, they're here, period. Since I've been targeting them, we catch them on over 95% of the trips we target them! Peak season for the "bones" is mid-april through the first week or so of May.
Bonito are also great eating and are very unlike most other fish - they're flesh is just like that of tuna except its white and very mild. You can cook it just about any way but it's just fantastic on the grill!
Bonito get my blood pumping like few other fish - they show up for such a short time and in so few places that just being able to catch them is such an incredible treat. In fact, other than North Carolina, the only other place they make a consistant showing is off of Cape Cod. However, many seasoned anglers believe the North Carolina run is the best Bonito bite on the east coast! In addition, Bonito herald the arrival of our summer fishery with spanish mackerel, king mackerel, mahi-mahi - and just about everything else are right on their heels!
The Bonito run is short and they are often here for less than 4 weeks wit the peak time falling between April 10th and May 10th (the dates I recommend). The good days go fast - so book soon!.
To check out open dates, the last reports and photos, check out my site's Fishing Report Blog
Spring ocean MIXED BAG Big Blues, Flounder, etc.
During the last couple of seasons we have seen good numbers of big 7-12lb bluefish, and they have been extremely hungry and very fly-rod and topwater friendly. Last year there were way, way too many of the big blues! While we could literally catch them all day long on topwater plugs, I think they chased the Bonito away! Every year is a little bit different though, and while we many not have the numbers we had last year - there are almost always a few to catch and they can provide great sport if the Bonito aren't biting at the time. To see them crush some topwater baits - watch the video clip!
What's nice about hitting the wrecks for Bonito and big bluefish is that there is always more that we can target! The spring is a great time to find good concentrations of big flounder - last spring I had over 25 citations between April 10th and May 10th. While we may not have put limits in the boat - catching 5 flounder between 4-6lbs is a great day! We also do quite well picking away at the seabass and even a few keeper gag grouper (and big numbers of 20-23" undersized fish) that are great fun using bucktail jigs on the spinning rod!
In addition, once the water starts to warm up, we are always blitzed by big numbers of small king mackerel (5-10lbs) once the water reaches the upper 60s and low 70s. While they typically are small, they are numerous and extremely aggressive! You don't need live bait for these guys...casting jigs, diving plugs and light spinning gear is all that is needed!
To check out open dates, the last reports and photos, check out my site's Fishing Report Blog
AMBERJACKS ON FLY AND TOPWATER!!
The last couple of years have seen the best amberjack fishing in a decade - we have had huge numbers of these fish invading the wrecks and live-bottoms...as close as 5 miles from the beach! For some reason amberjacks receive a bad wrap in North Carolina...even though they are absolutely reveered as a hard-pulling gamefish in just about every other state. What is special about North Carolina though, is the lack of pressure and the awesome concentrations of fish we get to experience. In fact, the concentrations are so good that they are extremely topwater and fly rod friendly. There is nothing better, and I don't care wwhat you say, than watching a school of 30-50lb fish chase down a large plug or popper fly...and absolutely crush it! And for all of you who say that they want to "catch something big" or "want a good fight" - NOTHING pulls harder than these guys!
This fishing usually begins to heat up in mid to late may and is absolutely RED HOT once it starts - they always migrate in dumb and very hungry. While we have incredible fishing for the AJs all throughout July and August, Late MAy and June are absolutely the best months. It's just flat out EASY.
As I said, I've worked very hard to develop methods to catch these big buys on the fly rod...and with my expertise and hard work, it's not even that hard. It's primarily topwater poppers and using bait and switch methods - it's very exciting and you'll experience an incredible fight. I have specialized 12wts just for AJ fishing - come down and give it a try. You won't be disapointed.
To check out open dates, the last reports and photos, check out my site's Fishing Report Blog
Spring Red Drum
While many of us think of red drum as a summer and fall fish - the spring time months of March, April and May are some of the best times to target drum in the backwaters. Coming off of their winter ppatterns and migrating in from the inlets and beaches, the fish tend to be traveling in very large, tightly packed schools. In addition - they're always very hungry and very willing to take just about anything put in front of their face!
During the last few years we have done very well from early march onward - all throughout the spring I was finding very large schools in the crystal clear water of our very shallow bays and creeks. A sight-fisherman's dream, it was common to see schools of 200-300 fish several times during the course of a tide! Spin or fly, expect to see some big schools of fish. Whether you want to find fish in the shallows or blind cast the banks - we can cchase these guys in just about any manner!
In addition to the reds, once the water warms we can also start to target flounder, black drum and sheepshead around the docks and hard structure. It's a lot of fun and a great way to round out the day!
To check out open dates, the last reports and photos, check out my site's Fishing Report Blog
You've heard me say it countless times on the internet, at many of my seminars and in person - Atlantic Bonito are simply one of my favorite fish to catch. They also are my favorite fish to eat. You'll also hear me say that several thousand more times.
Bonito are also great eating and are very unlike most other fish - they're flesh is just like that of tuna except its white and very mild. You can cook it just about any way but it's just fantastic on the grill!
What's nice about hitting the wrecks for Bonito and big bluefish is that there is always more that we can target! The spring is a great time to find good concentrations of big flounder - last spring I had over 25 citations between April 10th and May 10th. While we may not have put limits in the boat - catching 5 flounder between 4-6lbs is a great day! We also do quite well picking away at the seabass and even a few keeper gag grouper (and big numbers of 20-23" undersized fish) that are great fun using bucktail jigs on the spinning rod!
This fishing usually begins to heat up in mid to late may and is absolutely RED HOT once it starts - they always migrate in dumb and very hungry. While we have incredible fishing for the AJs all throughout July and August, Late MAy and June are absolutely the best months. It's just flat out EASY.
During the last few years we have done very well from early march onward - all throughout the spring I was finding very large schools in the crystal clear water of our very shallow bays and creeks. A sight-fisherman's dream, it was common to see schools of 200-300 fish several times during the course of a tide! Spin or fly, expect to see some big schools of fish. Whether you want to find fish in the shallows or blind cast the banks - we can cchase these guys in just about any manner!