Inshore sailfish NC

[BTH284]

Just read a report that a sail was caught right out of bogue inlet Monday.
Time to go after 'em Capt Lee.

[hunt4fish]

I'm ready......

[ncsuwlfpckr]

I got lucky and caught one bottom fishing at 1700 Rock (about 10 miles off the beach) on the East Side two weekends ago.

My buddy caught a ringtail off the bottom and I put him out on a balloon. Soon as I got the rod in the holder and started to put some bait on my bottom rig, BAM! He skied about 5' out of the water when he hit. I couldn't believe my eyes, I never thought a ring tail would catch a sailfish. I was just trying to get an AJ or a King. He was a rat about 35-40#. Used my backup bottom digging rod, 6/0 Senator loaded with 130# braid and 80# leader. It was a pretty cool bonus fish. I would have rather been trolling, but you take what you get when you bum rides like me. I love fishing on the East Side.

Also limited out on gags which is pretty cool too.

[Sea Draggin]

I love fishing on the East Side.

Me too. I saw 3 boats on Saturday and I had called one of them to come join me.

[Fins&Feathers]

I am DYING to catch a sail on my boat. I dont know why but it is one of those things that you get in your head that you got to do and it just take over.

Is live dait the ticket or can they be caught trolling hoos?

Thinking about doing the sail tourney out of masonboro to try and get a handle on the set up

[clt_capt]

The Florida boys swear by live bait, but you can certainly catch them on troll. I've caught them on king rigs pulling cigar minnows and offshore pulling ballyhoo, as well as live bait on a kite rig.

[Robja]

I caught one about 15 mi off the beach. We were slow trolling pogies for Kings and as i let the line out on the outrigger one hit. A lot of fun on 20 lb test.

[ncsuwlfpckr]

Seems like in NC they are normally bycatch from people fishing for Kings or Dolphin more than anything. I don't know of too many people that actively target them.

I think that if I were going to target them I would anchor up on a good spot around structure or bottom and use balloons or kites with live bait. You would be surpised at the fish you catch anchored up. Trolling you will find fish but when you anchor up the fish find you. Good bottom or structure is the key. Seemed to work for me.

[Crazy Eyes]

Just read a report that a sail was caught right out of bogue inlet Monday.
Time to go after 'em Capt Lee.

I remember you had some good success on them inshore last year Bryan. Might see a PM soon for some pointers!!

[gottaflylee]

I am DYING to catch a sail on my boat. I dont know why but it is one of those things that you get in your head that you got to do and it just take over.

Is live dait the ticket or can they be caught trolling hoos?

Thinking about doing the sail tourney out of masonboro to try and get a handle on the set up

Fins&Feathers, I prefer the dead bait as I CAN COVER MORE GROUND. Live bait works well but covering ground is out of the question. We would love to have you fish the "Capt. Eddy Haneman Sailfish Tournament, lots of fun and in the last 8 years, the small boats have out fished the big boats...
Give me a call with questions you may have or see the web site for detals... http://www.gottaflyguideservice.com/page20.html

Seems like in NC they are normally bycatch from people fishing for Kings or Dolphin more than anything. I don't know of too many people that actively target them.

I think that if I were going to target them I would anchor up on a good spot around structure or bottom and use balloons or kites with live bait. You would be surpised at the fish you catch anchored up. Trolling you will find fish but when you anchor up the fish find you. Good bottom or structure is the key. Seemed to work for me.

ncsuwlfpckr. I would say for King Mac guys, yes they are bycatch, but for those that want to target them nearshore, no they are not. Out of Wrightsville Beach, any given day after the first week of July, I stand a better that 50% chance catching one and knowing the areas to look I,de say better that 80% chance of seeing one. As most know, I run 2 boats, one big (50') and another 23'. Last year we just missed 60 Sails within 12 miles of the beach over the summer. Here is one we caught on a 1/2 day trip on the 23 that I got on video last year... Rod, cut down "Billfisher" Penn 975 reel on 20 pound test, yep light tackle.

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