Cooler weather is rolling in, and the fish are still jumping in North Carolina. Enjoy mild November days on our coastal piers and shorelines, where anglers have been reeling in wahoo, bluefish, spots, drum and more.
Crystal Coast
Captain Gary Dubiel, Oriental, Pamlico and Carteret County
Type: Saltwater inshore
252-249-1520
www.specfever.com
The fall fishing continues here along the Neuse River. Seatrout, redfish and flounder fishing was great this past week with plenty of action in all the tributaries. Jigs and hard baits produced on light tackle and the fly-fishing was excellent, including some great sight casting for red drum in the 24 to 30 inch range. Striped bass fishing remained good near New Bern. Look for the fishing to remain excellent well into winter if not all the way through. Last years action was HOT even in February so get out now and keep going for some of the best fishing of the year.
Outer Banks
Joy Crist, Hatteras Island
Type: Surf, Pier, Offshore
252-987-1444 Ext. 118
www.outerbanks.org
Who says the fall season is slow? This past week, Hatteras Island was the place to be with a multitude of events going on, including the birdwatchers‚ Wings Over Water Festival, the Outer Banks Marathon and perhaps most importantly, the annual Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Fishing Tournament. The tournament, held every November since 1958, carried on as planned despite a couple of very rainy days, and by judging day on Saturday, the weather was simply perfect. It’s easy to forget that it’s November, as the last few days have been sunny enough for sunscreen, slightly breezy and warm with temperatures in the high 60s. But once you see what the anglers have been reeling in (lots of drum and blues), you’ll remember that it’s definitely fall. The drum usually run well into November and even December, and Thanksgiving might be the perfect time to take a few days off, reserve a last-minute vacation home and spend some time with the family (and, of course, get a little of that great fall fishing in before the season winds down.)
Here’s what local anglers have been reeling in this week:
Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo: Sea mullet, puppy drum, blues and black drum.
Avon: Sea mullet, blues and black drum.
Cape Point: flounder, black drum, sea mullet, blues, croaker and specks.
Hatteras: Puppy drum, blues and sea mullet.
Rodanthe Pier: Spot, sea mullet, trout, puppy drum.
Avon Pier: Sea mullet, puppy drum and blues.
Cape Hatteras Pier in Frisco: Flounder, blues, puppy drum and trout.
Wilmington / Cape Fear Coast
Connie Nelson, Wilmington, Carolina, Kure, Wrightsville Beach
Type: Saltwater, Surf, Pier, Gulf Stream, River
910-341-4030
www.cape-fear.nc.us/
Surf: Bluefish and red drum are in the surf. Trout are being caught at the Wrightsville Beach jetty.
Nearshore: King mackerel are about 5 miles out.
Gulf Stream: Anglers are catching wahoo.
Carolina/Kure Beach piers: Catches of spots, red drum, puppy drum and nice mullet.
Johnnie Mercer Pier (Wrightsville): Catches of red and black drum, blues, mullet and keeper flounder.
Inshore (sounds/ICW): Reeling in trout, flounder and stripers in the Cape Fear River.
Bottom and Gulf Stream fishing should improve with more favorable weather.
