Capt. Jot

Well Folks, fall is really showing strong this week! One day with warm temps and light winds the very next day very windy, rainy and cold for October! Hey that’s what gets those fall fish biting so we can’t complain too much. With that said lets talk fall fishing!

Last week 10-13 to 10-17 we had some very good Spanish Mack runs. Most of the Spanish hit Clark spoons on number one planners, a few fish hit on top as well. We did get a few on Marie jigs casting when the Spanish got on top feeding. The Spanish were very nice in size; most fish were two to some over four pounds “nice fall size”. They were biting just off the beach to about two miles off the beach. I don’t know how much longer they will be here with this cooler air moving in; will just have to see!

The Flounder fishing has been good for the most part, on some trips we’ve caught over twelve keeper fish. Most of the Flounder are eating Mullet and Mud minnows on light Carolina rigs. The Flounder are mixed in size to just under keeper size to a few over five pounds. We have caught some Flounder on Artificial baits as well. We have had the best luck with Saltwater Assassin Blurp grubs in molting color and “Chicken on a chain” color grubs. Rig the grubs on a red or black jig head for best results.

We’ve caught some bigger bull Redfish in and around the local inlets. We are catching Reds in the 24 to over 32 inch range, some days their over the slot some days their in the slot. Most of the Reds around the inlets are hitting mullets and fresh menhaden on Carolina rigs; using heavier egg sinkers with circle hooks 9/0 to 11/0. On some days we have had some luck on Saltwater Assassin Blurp grubs in colors molting and pearl; using heavier jig heads.

And last but Not lest, Speckled Trout are starting to show and bite! The Speckled trout fishing has gotten better and better around this area every year! It looks like it will be the same this year as well; “I Can’t wait, I love Trout fishing”! The best trout bites lately have been on grubs and hard baits, but we have caught some on the good ‘ole live shrimp as well! The best grub colors for us have been; chart-diamond, greenback shiner and silver mullet. In the Shrimp pattern colors; clear, bone-diamond and root beer.
Rig the grubs and shrimp patterns on a red or black jig head for best results.

Hard lure’s that seem to be bringing the trout to the boat are Mirrolures and X-raps in colors pink, chartreuse, and white. Most of the trout we have caught have been in the creeks and main channels connecting to the ICW and inlets. There are still lots of pinfish, lizardfish, and small bluefish around: so we have not jumped in to the live shrimp full force yet.

In other fishing news: The 2008 Cape Fear Red-Trout Celebrity Classic to benefit Cystic fibrosis was held this last weekend 10-16 to 10-18. I really enjoy fishing this tournament year after year. It’s well run and very fun, there are a lot of very good guides that fish this tournament. I had the pleasure fishing with Adam Meyer and Liz Bielski with Charter Lakes Insurance group. I’m very happy to announce that team Charter Lakes took Lady Angler Grand Champion, Liz even caught more fish than Adam! Congrats Liz, great job! I look forward to fishing this tournament next year.

Fishing gear we use;

Bull Reds: Reels Pflueger Contender G15L, Rods Shakespeare Custom “USCB 1166 MH” Penn spinning reels 560L Live Liner with Penn Torque jigging rod 7’ 20 to 50 braids.

Spanish, Trout, and Flounder: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy.

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens