Headhunter Outdoors Report

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The fishing has pretty much shut down for the winter. Now somebody out there is probably saying that’s bull ’cause he caught fish the other day. That may be true but they got lucky and found some hungry fish. The Specks and Reds are still in the sound and will bite occasionally but it’s hard fishing. The surf is about the same but the chance to catch a huge Red is always there this time of the year.

Offshore there ain’t any reports because it’s been rough. Fast moving fronts in the winter make it treacherous in the open ocean. North Carolina ain’t the graveyard of the Atlantic for nothing.

Lets change pace here a minute and talk about fishing and learning to catch fish. If you have fished before or are a novice I might be able to give you some insight on what to look for and how to catch something. Fish ain’t the smartest of creatures on the planet. They require food and structure and if you can find both a nice fish should be there. Now I’m a little jaded in the fact that I’m after predator fish like Red drum, Speckled Trout and Flounder. All three of these species feed on small Fish, Shrimp, and Crabs! Whatever the predominant bait in the water at that time of the year is what they are eating. A good cast net is the best investment you can make!  Learn to throw it in the yard and never buy bait again. Start with a 3-4 footer and work your way up. I use a 6-8 foot net because its easy to throw and when I get on a school of bait, I can fill the livewell in a minute.

Next thing you need to do is look for likely structure. Docks,points, and creek mouth’s make good starting spots. I’ve found that older docks seem to produce better than new docks. Look for Oysters and Barnacles growing on the pilings and if there is good current flow under it, even better! If you fish a dock and find fish,make a mental note as to what the tide and current are doing. Points are a good place if they have good current flow. The fish can ambush bait as it is swept by in the current. Usually they will move from one side of the point to the other as the tide changes. Make another mental note, the fish don’t usually bite when the tide is slack. Creek mouth’s along the waterway are another good spot to check. When the tide starts falling,all the bait back in the creek is pulled out by the current and the predators will sit around somewhere in the vicinity and feed as the current brings it to them. Always pay attention to what the wind, and tide is doing if you find fish because you can usually come back and catch them again on the same tide. I do it all the time with my charters. Fish a school one day and come back the next and do it again! Next week we will talk about rigs and tackle.

Now on the hunting side, Duck season is in but the birds just ain’t here. Maybe we will get some birds before the season goes out. All we need is some cold weather to push the birds our way. Well that’s about it for this week, so be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. Well not much has changed since last week, the fishing is slow! That’s not to say you can’t catch a fish but it can be hard when it’s cold. I’ve heard that the Reds are biting back in the sound after a couple of warm days gets the water right. This time of the year it really doesn’t matter if you are fishing the sound or surf finding water a couple of degrees warmer will usually mean fish. The inlets are a good spot to look on a falling tide when the warm sound water is running into the ocean. In the backwater find the dark bottoms and oyster bars. They soak up the suns rays warming up the water fast on a sunny day. Cut bait will work better this time of the year as well. The fish don’t want to expend to much energy for a meal and will follow a scent trail right to your bait! Hey a bad day of fishing still beats a day at work! The Specks are still around and there are loads of undersized fish out there. If we don’t get a hard freeze that kills them next season is looking great. Same goes for the Reds.

On the hunting side, Deer season is out till next September. Duck season is still in but the birds are not here in great numbers but some birds are here. I talked to a fellow at the landing last week that shot a Pintail on Stump sound but he wouldn’t tell me where. Imagine that! Most of the small game species are in season but check the regulations to be sure. Wildlife Resources is having hearing on some proposed changes for next season that may be to all of our liking. Sunday’s bow hunting only for deer, and crossbows legal anytime you can use a bow. Lets keep our fingers crossed. Anyway thats about it for this week so remember to take a kid with you and be safe!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818