Inshore/Surf



December 16, 2011

While it has slowed down for some, many anglers are reporting decent catches of speckled trout, with a few very nice sized fish mixed in. The majority of the fish are coming from the jetty as well as deeper areas in proximity to the inlets, with a few mixed in tautog being caught at the jetty. Live shrimp as well as Berkley Gulp soft plastics have accounted for the majority of the catch. Puppy drum are beginning to congregate around deeper docks along the ICW, and anglers are catching them on both live minnows and soft plastics on jigheads.

Surf anglers have continued to catch both trout and red drum, with a few large whiting mixed in. Shrimp and sand fleas have been the best for the whiting, and cut mullet works well for the drum. The trout are begin caught on MirrOlures, with TT11FGO and 52M808 being good color choices.

Nearshore/Offshore



December 16, 2011

Nearshore anglers are still finding a few flounder around the artificial reefs, but you have to fight through the black sea bass. Spro bucktails tipped with Gulp baits have been the best bet. There are still a few bluefish along the beach, and the false albacore are abundant 20+ miles offshore. There are more and more tautog being reported around nearshore structures, but once again the seabass make it very difficult.

Offshore the bottom fishing has been good. In the 20 mile range, the gag grouper fishing has been good, but once again you have to fight through the black sea bass. The red and scamp groupers have been found in the 45+ mile range, both on jigs and natural baits. The king mackerel bite has been decent. Dead cigar minnows trolled around the Frying Pan Tower area will produce the best results. Check the SST charts on where the 70 degree line is before you head out.

Ledges just inshore of the break have been producing off and on for jigging anglers, with mixed catches of grouper, African pompano, and amberjack.



Gulf Stream



December 16, 2011

Lately the gulfstream fishing has been fairly good, with decent catches of both wahoo and blackfin tuna being reported. Wahoo up to 80 lbs have been caught both high-speed trolling and trolling skirted ballyhoo, mainly around the 30 fathom line. Blackfin tuna are beginning to congregate around structure in 40-60 fathoms, and are being caught by both trolling and jigging anglers. Jigging anglers are also finding amberjack, as well as a few large ones.


Tex's tackle
215 old Eastwood rd
Wilmington, NC
910-791-1763
http://www.texstackle.com/