|
|
Fantastic Spring Fishing!
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 see out our available days, check out my site's BONITO THREAD
...or to check out recent reports, pictures, video and updates - visit my site's FISHING REPORTS
Spring Red Drum
The number of red drum in North Carolina waters is at It's not a secret - just check out my reports from the last couple of seasons...we've been smoking them! While many of us think as 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!
To check out more photos and see open dates for SPRING REDFISHD check out my site's SPRING REDFISH THREAD
Roanoke River Stripers
As always, I'll be up on the Roanoke River for a week or so this spring. This fishery speaks for itself - huge numbers of fish willing to jump all over flies, jigs and top-water plugs. I like to fish the early mornings and late afternoons for prime topwater action - a lot of my clients chose to split full days between and evening and mornings in order to take advantage of the best fishing! I'll put more here later.
Dates are still in limbo, but I am thinking May 4-10th this year. Call or email for more details
To check out open dates, more photos and learn more about the Roanoke River striper run, check out my Roanoke River Thread
Or, if you want to check out the latest fishing reports CLICK HERE
|
|
|
|
