Fishing has changed a lot since my last report in a good way. The Bonita bit well this and last week, we caught them trolling and casting. Spanish mackerel have showed up this week as well. The lures that we’re trolling with and have worked well for us are; Clark spoons and Yo-Zuri crystal minnow deep divers. The YoZuri’s have worked the best on the Bonita’s and big Spanish mackerel.

A few King mackerel have also showed up this week, they are not real big but a lot of fun on light tackle! The kings are also biting the Yo-Zuri’s. The colors that are working the best have been Pink and Clown. We are trolling the crystal minnows two to three knots. The good thing about trolling this Yo-Zuri is you can use light tackle which makes it a lot of fun.

The Red fish, Flounder and Speckled trout are biting too. The trout bite is starting to slow down around Wrightsville but it is going strong in the river. Reds and Flounder are biting around docks and in the creeks. Most of the Reds and Flounder are hitting grubs and live bait. Saltwater Assassin (Blurp) grubs are working well to get these fish, in colors good penny and molting. Blurps are scented grubs like many other scented grubs on the market, but they won’t dry out on your hook and they have great action!

There is lots of Blues around the inlet; they will bite just about any spoons or jigs. There are a few big ones around too, don’t forget use some good leader when your fishing for them. I have herd some talk about a few COBIA showing up around. Let’s not get to ahead of our self this season now, but “I’m keeping my eye out for them”.

Gear used: Pflueger Medalist spinning reels in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lite’s 7’ med action. Line: Ugly Braid fifth teen and twenty pound test. Keep your eyes out for Penn’s new jigging rods. I have used a few of them and they have a really good feel to them. Thanks for reading this report. Give me a call lets go fishing, School will be out soon, time to book that fishing trip!

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

  

We have had some great Trout fishing lately, fishing south of Wrightsville beach.  On good days we are catching over fifth teen trout with three to six flounder mixed in too.  On Thursday 4-17, my charter caught sixteen trout and six flounder.  That same day one of the trout was 27” and weighted six and a half pounds, a very nice spring trout.  The trout was released alive and in good health.

We’ve been catching the trout on live shrimp and shrimp grubs.  The rig we are using for the live shrimp is a float rig, fishing two to four feet deep.  The shrimp grubs that seem to work the best are Saltwater Assassin (Shrimp Cocktails) in colors (Drunk monkey and Natural glow).  We’ve also caught a few with a Kiwk rattling cork and a grub shrimp.

The Red fish bite has been “hit or miss” some days we go out and wack’em some days we don’t.  Live bait, fresh shrimp and scented grubs have been the ticket.  You just have got to find the Reds to catch them.  Fish the live and cut bait on Carolina rigs.  Saltwater Assassin (Blurps) in colors good penny and molting seem to work well for the scented grubs.  Most of the reds are in the water way on docks and in creek mouths.

In the ocean on the nice days, the blues are biting well.  Sometimes you get a few Bonita’s mixed in as well.  Clark spoons in size’s one, two and three trolled behind number one planners are the trolling ticket.  Casting and jigging spoons works well too around near shore artificial wrecks.  Pink colored lures seem to work the best for my charters.  It will not be long we will see some Spanish mackerel; I’m looking forward to that!

Gear used: Pflueger Medalist 6040 and 6035 spinning reels with 12 and 20 pound Ugly Braid line. Rods: Ugly stick lite’s in med action 7’.in length. Thanks for taking a look at this report!  Get out on the water and take a kid fishing.  Or better give me a call and I’ll take ya!

Capt. Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

  

Those high speed Bonita’s are showing up, good numbers should show up any day now. The Bluefish are mixed in with them too.  We’re catching them by trolling and casting.  The trolling rigs that we’re using are; a number one planner with thirty to forty feet of forty pound mono leader.  Tied to the leader is a Clark spoon in size’s 0, 1 and 2, I like to use the gold and pink flash Clark spoons.  Troll them about five to six knots. 

If you would like to try casting or jigging for the Bonita’s, I use Maria jigs.  They do have a price tag on them, but when the bite is tough these jigs will pay off!  Maria’s that I have the best luck with are size’s seven and fourteen grams.  The fourteens are easier to cast.  Colors to use; green, blue and pink seem to work the best for me.

The Speckled trout have decided to bite from time to time the last few weeks.  Most fish are coming out of creeks and channels around the waterway and inlets.  Best bet for the trout so far has been grubs, working the grubs slow in holes and drop-offs.   The grubs I like in the spring mouths are Saltwater Assassin sea shad in 4”.  Colors silver mullet, chart diamond, and salt/pep shad. I like to use shrimp (Bang) scent in the spring too, this helps because there is not much bait in the water yet.  I don’t use a lot of scents for Trout, but in the cool spring mouths it can really help.

Redfish are schooling good in the surf and the ICW, when we get a nice day we get out and get’em.  They are pretty easy to catch; you just got to find them.  That part can be a bit harder, trust me!  A sunny, light wind day and good polarized sunglasses are the keys to catching these Reds.  Grubs seen to be the easy go to bait for the Reds.  Saltwater Assassin (Blurps) in pearl and molting colors work very well.  You can use jigs heads, 1/4 and 3/8 for casting.  Color of the jig heads is not a big deal red and black work just fine.  Hold on tight, they fight great even in cool water!

We are catching a few Flounder as well.  The flounder are biting while we are fishing for Reds and the Trout.  Grubs work just fine to get these guys.   Gear used: Reel Pflueger Infusion 7635SS and 7640ss, Rod: Ugly Stick Lite 7′0? Med light and Med act. Line: Ugly Braid in 15 and 20 pound test.  Thanks for taking the time to read this report, get out there and go fishing!   If you would like to go with me check out my web page www.captainjot.com and or give me a call 910-233-4139.

Capt. Jot Owens
Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC
www.captainjot.com 
910-233-4139 

  

On some of the windier days when it’s been hard to get out on the coast to fish we’ve been doing a little bit of fresh water fishing.  The large mouth Bass have been biting well. Most trips we are catching nine to over fifth teen bass a day. The size of the Bass are running one to over five pounds, most fish are two to three pounds.  Bass are hitting Bass Assassin rubber worms in colors black and red shad “red and black”.  Rigging the worms Carolina style seems to work the best.

On the coast fishing has been a little hit or miss for the most part. Some days we go out and get over ten Redfish some days it’s less.  The best bait for the Reds lately has been fresh shrimp or live mud minnows.  I have had the most luck rigging the shrimp and minnows on Carolina rigs.  We are using EC L 42 style hooks in number “one” size.  The Reds are running in the sixteen to twenty-five inch range with a few bigger ones mixed in from time to time.

If you would like to go the artificial root, I would recommend using scented grubs.  The best bet is to use Saltwater Assassin “Blurps” in Colors Molting and good penny.  These Blurps are really well scented to put out one great scent trail. Those Reds will find them, trust me!  Jigs heads for the grubs in ¼ to 3/8 oz, colors red and black seem to be the trick. Work’em slow around docks and drop-offs on grass lines.

There are a few trout and flounder around as well, they are not very big, but some times you can pull out a keeper.  Mud minnows and grubs are the ticket for these fish.  Rig the minnows on Carolina rigs, go light on the leader fifth teen to twenty pound line.  Grub colors that we’re using; Chart. Diamond and Silver mullet with red head jigs.  Work’em slow on shore lines and drop off on the grass lines.

Gear used for the last few trips: Pflueger Medalist and Infusion SS spinning reels in size 6035 great for trout and light Red fishing. Rods: Ugly Stick Lite. Med act 7’ Line used Ugly Braid fifth teen and twenty pound test.  Thanks for reading this report, if you have any questions or comments drop me a line at www.captainjot.com

Thanks again,

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

PS: Booking up FAST>>>>>>>>>

  

The Redfish have been biting fair to great. Good numbers are being caught, anywhere from five fish to over twenty on better days. The Redfish are hitting grubs, cut bait and live bait. . Grubs that have been working well: Saltwater Assassin’s (Blurps) in colors molting and good penny. The best cut bait so far has been fresh shrimp. Most of the local fish markets are starting get some fresh shrimp. Rig the shrimp Carolina style using a number one Eagle claw L42 hook.

We are catching a few Speckled trout from time to time. The trout are small with a few nice ones mixed in. Grubs have been the best bet for the trout; we’re using Saltwater Assassin sea shad and shrimp patterns. Colors that have worked lately; Elec. Chicken and Chart Diamond. Don’t forget those never fell; Mirrolures, in colors silver mullet and white on white. The water is still cool so don’t forget to work the lures a little slower.

There has been a few bluefish starting to show up around the inlets. These guys are a little early but that is good thing. I hope the Bonita’s are not far behind them! If you have ever caught a Bonita on light tackle or Fly rod you know just how fast they are and how much fun it is to catch them. If you have not ever caught one, you need to give it a try. This is one of my favorites to catch hands down and they are not bad to eat as well.

If you get a chance take a look at Xtool’s and Pflueger’s new gear. They have come out with some new products for this year. Xtools has come out with over nine new products from Xtoolkits to RodXRacks. You can check them all out at www.xtools.us Pflueger has made a very nice saltwater bait caster, (Patriarch) check it out and other new products at www.pfluegerfishing.com

Thanks for taking a look at this report. We are booking up quickly for the season so give me a call to book your next fishing trip. Don’t forget to take a kid fishing as well!!

See ya soon,
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

  

These temps are about 4 to 5 degrees warmer than last year this same time.  So what does this mean?  I hope an early and longer fishing season this year.  We will just have to see what happens; hopefully it will mean better fishing.  So far so Good!  To the fishing report

Just off the beach, in the three the fifteen mile range there is some bottom fish.  We fished the Liberty ship wreck on 3/13.  We caught some very nice Black sea Bass and Ring tail porgies.  The fish were mixed in size; from 8 to 15 plus inches.

You can find these fish and also Jolt head porgies, Dog sharks, and Tautogs.  They are hanging on ledges and artificial reefs just off the beach. These fish are not too hard to catch once you find them.  Cut bait is the way to go on these fish, Squid seems to work the best and it stays on the hook better.  If you would rather go artificial, jigs and jig spoons, two to five oz. any colors will work “go bright”.

Inshore fishing is picking up as well. Redfish, Speckled trout and Flounder are biting. You just have to get out on the water and put some time in to find them.  In the spring you need to slow down your presentation and add some scent to your lures.  Doing these things will help you catch more fish.

The Redfish are hitting grubs, cut bait and live bait.  Live bait is just starting to show up around this area, most of it is small in size.  Grubs that have been working well: Saltwater Assassin’s (Blurps) in colors molting, good penny and pearl.  Cut bait to use, fresh shrimp and fresh mullet. Rig the cut bait, Carolina rig style.

Flounder and Speckled trout fishing is just starting to pick up.  We have been catching most of the Flounder and trout on grubs.  Assassin Sea shads in colors S&P. PH/CHART.TL and CHART-DIAMOND are working well. Those color “codes” came right off the back of the packages.  Red or black jig heads seem to be the best.  One good trick I use is some (Bang) shrimp scent to spray on my grubs.  This scent works great for Flounder and trout fishing.

In other fishing news, Xtools and Pflueger have come out with some new products for this year.  Xtools has come out with over nine new products from Xtoolkits to RodXRacks.  You can check them all out at www.xtools.us   Pflueger has made a very nice saltwater bait caster, (Patriarch) check it out and other new products at www.pfluegerfishing.com

Thanks for reading this report!  We are booking up quickly for the season so give me a call and let’s go fishing. Don’t forget to take a kid fishing as well!!

Good fishing to ya,

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

  

With the weather getting warming the water temps are on the raise, which is a very good thing. Redfish are biting around docks and marsh grass drops in the water way and creek mouths. Most of the falling tide and the start of the raise is the best time to catch these Reds. Anywhere you can find the sun warming the water around docks, there should be some Reds close by.

The Reds are taking scented Grubs and fresh bait like shrimp or mullet. The best bet for grubs are Saltwater Assassin (Blurps), these are some of the best scented grubs on the market! Colors I would recommend; Molting, Good Penny and Drunk monkey.  The best Grub head colors red and black these seem to work the best. Work the grubs slow, this will let the scent spread out more so the Reds can find the grubs.

A few Speckled trout are biting, same set up as the Reds. Try to find some fish warming up in the sun, on flats and oyster rocks. Work Grubs and Mirrolure’s very slow for these fish. Good colors for the grubs are Saltwater Assassin salt & pep chartreuse tail and chart/diamond. These are two of my favorite colors. If you see the Trout on the bottom cast on the edge of them not right in the school. If you cast in the school it will scare them. If you can get any live bait use it!

Just off the beach, in the three the fifteen mile range there is some bottom fish.  The Black sea bass, Jolt head porgies and Tautogs are biting in this area. There hanging on ledges and artificial reefs, these fish are not too hard to catch once you find them. Cut bait is the way to go on these fish, Squid seems to work the best and it stays on the hook better. If you would rather go artificial, jigs and jig spoons, two to five oz. any colors will work “go bright”.

We are booking up fast for this up coming summer season, book now to get the day you want! Check out the new web page for fishing reports and charter specials from time to time. Thanks for reading this report, and Good fishing to Ya!!!

Capt. Jot Owens
910-233-4130
www.captainjot.com

  

To the fishing report we go>>>>. Redfish are biting on those nice warm sunny days. The best bet for these guys is to look for them on flats, oyster rocks and grass lines on warm calm days. The Reds will be sunning and trying to find bait that is doing the same thing. Best lures to use; jigs “go light” 1/8 and ¼ oz. jig heads this way you will not spook the Reds in shallow water. Rig them with a good scented grub like Saltwater Assassin Blurps. In the sea shad pattern; colors pearl or molting seen to work the best in the winter mouths.

All so look for big schools of Redfish in the surf on very nice days as well. These schools of Reds will be close to inlets, sandbars and sometimes jetties. Use the same kinds of jigs, but use heavier jig heads like 3/8 and ½ oz. This will make it easier to cast to the Reds. A few Trout are biting as well. A good bet for them would be Mirrolure’s and Grubs. Colors for Mirrolure’s chart back and white on white. Grubs silver mullet and one of my favorites chart diamond. Remember work them slow, during the colder mouths!

In theCape Fear River there are still a few Stripers biting. The bigger fish for the most part are starting to slow down. We are catching most of the Stripers on jigs, rattle trips and mid diving X-raps. Colors white on white, green back and silver minnow. Just look for creek mouths, drop-offs and docks that hold any kind of bait. Work these areas hard and you will catch a few Stripers, patience pays off! There are some catfish biting in the river now as well.

Just off the beach, in the three the fifteen miles off. The Black sea bass, Jolt head porgies and Tautogs are biting. There hanging on ledges and artificial reefs, these fish are not too hard to catch once you find them. Cut bait is the way to go on these fish, Squid seems to work the best and it stays on the hook better. If you would rather go artificial, jigs and jig spoons, two to five oz. any colors will work “go bright”.

In other news, keep and eye out for Saltwater Assassin’s new sea shad color that just came out. It’s called “chicken on a chain” it glows, hard to explain the color you’ll have to see it yourself. I think it will be a good Trout and Flounder color here in NC. I hear it’s working well for the guides in FL chasing Snook!

We are booking up fast for this up coming summer season, book now to get the day you want! Check out the new web page for fishing reports and charter specials from time to time. Thanks for reading this report, and Good fishing to Ya!!!

Capt. Jot Owens
910-233-4130
www.captainjot.com

  

The new boat is here!!! I got to see it for the first time today, she is beautiful. I am really looking forward to fishing one of the finest bay boats in the world. The Ranger Bay 22` is a truly fine fishing weapon, built to fish, fish and more fishing.

This will be one more very important weapon to catch those sneaky fish around here.

To the fishing report, a few Trout are biting. The key here is patience; take your time when the water gets cold. Cold water Trout fishing; slow jigging and slow retrieve will catch you more Trout. When the water cools down, I mostly fish Grubs and Mirrolures. It is easier to fish these lures slower, than other lures on the market. If you can get live bait, please use it!

The grubs I like in the winter mouths are Saltwater Assassin sea shad in 4”. Colors silver mullet, chart diamond, and salt/pep shad. I like to use shrimp Bang scent in the winter too, this helps because there is not much bait in the water. I don’t use a lot of scents for Trout, but in the cold winter it can really help. Mirrolures elect. ckin and chart and sliver belly colors. Work them SLOW!

Redfish are schooling well in the surf, if we can get a nice day to get out and get’em. They are pretty easy to catch; you just got to find them. That part can be a bit harder, trust me! A sunny, light wind day and good polarized sunglasses are the keys to catching these Reds.

Grubs seen to be the easy go to bait for surf Reds. Saltwater Assassin “Blurps” in pearl color work very well. You need to use heavier jigs heads, ½ and 5/8 plus for casting. Color of the head is not a big deal Red, white and black all work just fine. Hold on tight, they fight great even in cold water!

Let’s not forget those Cape Fear River stripers; they should bite right on to the end of February. That is if it does not get to cold, so far so good. Most fish are eating shrimp jigs “Blurps” in pearl and molting have done well. Also Rattle traps and mid water diving plugs are catching a few too.

That is the report; keep an eye on the web page. As soon as I get photos of the new boat I will put hem on the web site. Thanks for reading this report, good fishing to ya!

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

  

The Trout have still been biting some, not as well as this late Fall but biting. Most fish are around the inlets and beaches; the recent cold snap has kept them out of the creeks. Most fish are hitting live bait “if you can get it”. Live shrimp and small minnows on float rigs have worked the best. Also try working a grub like a Saltwater Assassin Blurp. Work the grub very slow, the colder the water the slower you need to work it.

In the surf there has been large schools of Redfish, these Reds should stay in the surf until spring. The water is very clear here in the winter. The Reds are easy to see in the surf, by boat or walking on the beach. Don’t forget your polarized sunglasses; you’ll need them to see them! The best baits for the surf Reds, Mirrolures and Blurp grubs with heavy jig heads 5/8 and ½ oz.

I headed out to the Gulf Stream on the boat “Work Release”, Saturday (1-5) to do a little Wahoo fishing. Great weather, calm seas, a little warmer air temps. Left the dock at 4:30am got to the first spot around 6:30am and started trolling. We put out the spread, mostly light wire ballyhoo rigs “hot shots” using Blue Water candy skirts. For baits we used Medium ballyhoo and we also had out one horse ballyhoo with a Blue Water candy “Jag” in black and purple.

The water was a little to cold for what I like to see in the area we were fishing, 70 dig. We fished for a couple of hours with a few hits on the down rigger, mostly False Albacore. So we turned the boat for deeper and hopefully warmer water. We got out to 650 feet and what do you know the long rigger snapped off like a BB gun. I look back and a small but happy to see Blue Marlin. I could not believe my eyes; I even thought I saw he had a jacket on in that cold water!

It did not last long, he turned over real quick and drop the bait “that’s fishing”. Good to see him tough, sure got our hearts racing on a slow fishing day.

We got out to about 800 feet and decided to do a little deep dropping for some Snowy Groupers. Headed over to a wreck we fish from time to time. Got out the deep drop rod, and made a drop on the wreck. Got a hit right away reeled it up; nice snowy! We caught a few more and headed to the hill “home”. This was one trip I was glad I had other gear on the boat for different kinds of fishing. It can save the day!

Thanks so much for reading this report, get out there and take a kid fishing!

Captain Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com