Headhunter Outdoors Report

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 1-31-11

Gillwetter Press — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:32:49 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The fishing in the sound is still slow as molasses with the water temp’s in the mid to upper 40′s. The surf has some schools of Reds running up and down the beach in the surf zone.If you want to target them you can do it one of two ways. Pick a spot on the beach and sit and wait or get the boat out and try some full contact,no holds barred combat fishing! What I’m talking about is running the beach just outside the breakers and look for the fish. This time of the year the Reds school up and I’ve seen 500 fish schools before. Now this type of fishing is not for the faint of heart or beginners. It requires two people and only one fishes at a time. One on the front of the boat and one driving. Run the beach and watch the backs of the waves for the fish. You might see a flash or a big dark spot in the water,but you will know when you find them. The boat pilot needs to ease up to within casting range so the angler can reach the fish while paying real close attention to the waves. One small mistake and you and the boat are on the beach. If the angler hooks up,the pilot needs to back away from the beach a safe distance and let the angler fight the fish. Now trade places and do it again. Gulp baits on a jig head will work just about every time but any jig fished slow and bounced along the bottom will work. While the angler is fighting the fish the pilot should try to keep eye contact with the school. Warn each other as to any waves coming that might catch you off balance because falling in the boat can hurt but falling in the water really sucks when its 45 degree’s! Good places to start looking are the inlet bars and work down the beach slowly. Like I said when you see them you will know. Watch the weather and pick your days carefully. You want no waves to speak of and the water this time of the year is crystal clear so visibility is is usually not a problem. Don’t worry though spring ain’t far away. On the hunting side,Duck season is out so the only game going is small game! Here’s a good one to try with the kids,Squirrel hunting. You remember all the squirrels that aggravated the heck out of you during deer season? Sitting in a stand all still and quiet,waiting and watching patiently. Then you hear a noise coming though the woods,sounds like footsteps,your heart starts pumping a little faster. It’s getting closer and closer,you strain to get a glimpse. Then all of the sudden out pops a squirrel. Heck I’ve had 10 or 12 playing around me in a stand. I’ve tried to thin them out a little since deer season went out but you can’t get them all. Anyway It’s a great way to teach the kids about hunting and woodsmanship. Not to mention a mess of fried squirrel and gravy to boot! A friend of mine who is a professional outdoors writer wrote an article a while back about another grand slam for hunters to persue. The squirrel grand slam! We have three varieties in North Carolina. The Gray,Fox and Red squirrel. Fox and Gray squirrels are plentiful in eastern NC but you have to go to the mountains to get a Red or Boomer as the folks call them. The northwest corner of the state,up around Ashe and Allegany counties have all three making it easy to get a slam. well thats about it for this week,so be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 1-17-11

Gillwetter Press — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:07:33 +0000

Hi Folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The fishing is pretty much dead now but that ain’t to say you can’t catch a fish. The water temps are in the mid 40′s and the fish are just as cold as we are. Trout and Red Drum are in the surf but the speck fishery is closed. That means you can’t keep anything. The cold weather we have had has cold stunned a lot of fish and they are having a hard time surviving. Around here we tend to think of Trout as a cold weather fish but they are a warm water species and they can’t tolerate the cold as well as the Drum. Now is the time of the year to get everything ready for fishing season. Get your reels cleaned and respooled with fresh line. Change those old rusty hooks on lures. Take the boat to the shop for a little maintenance and check out the wheel bearings on the trailer too while you are at it. You don’t want to be the guy you were laughing at last year on the side of the road. Oh by the way, learn how to back a trailer if you are not proficient at it. Go to a large parking lot and practice.

On the hunting side, small game and Duck season is still in and there are some birds around. The N.E.Cape Fear is loaded with woodies as well as the beaver ponds and swamps. Lots of birds are sitting in the middle of the New River, rafted up where you can’t get at them. Bluebills,a few Redheads,and some Teal make up the majority of the birds.

The Cape Fear Wildlife Expo is coming up in March on the 18th-20th. It’s a great show so you better plan to attend. There will be something for all ages GUARANTEED! Lots of exhibitors, demo’s and interactive stuff. This show has gotten bigger each year so it will be great this year. Get online and check it out at www.capefearwildlifeexpo.com for all the details. If anybody is interested I will be having a fishing seminar at Eastern Outfitters before long, so stop in and get your name on the sign up sheet. When enough folks sign up we will announce the date and call everyone who signed up. I promise a good time with lots of good info. Well thats it for this week so be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 3-22-10

Gillwetter Press — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:47:50 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The water is warming and the weather is getting better. Maybe spring has finally sprung! The ocean water temps are in the mid 50′s and it’s warmer back in the sound. The Reds that stayed back in the sound are going to be found around the bays with a dark bottom. Just about all the bays behind are holding fish and all it takes is a good sunny day to turn them on. Spinnerbaits, topwaters and jigs will all work! They are hungry and will hit about anything! These fish are still very spooky because of the clear water so don’t get too close and be quiet. Specks are back in the creeks and a few Black drum are around as well.

The surf has some Red and Black drum around with some Mullet and Dogfish in the mix. It won’t be long folks, so get ready.

The 2nd annual Cafe Fear Wildlife Expo was a success and a lot of vendors, boat dealers, and others involved in the local outdoor industry were present and a good time was had by all. If you didn’t make it it will happen next and you can take the whole family. The Cafe Fear CCA banquet will be held this weekend on Saturday at the American Legion Post on Pine Grove Drive in Wilmington at 6:00pm and all are invited. If you fish,you need to be there! Turkey season ain’t far away and you need to be ready! I am! April 10th is the opening day for bearded birds only. Check your regulations guide for all the details. Well thats about it for this week so be safe and take a kid with you when you go out hunting or fishing!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 2-9-10

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:12:38 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. Nothing is happening with the fishing but I ain’t going to say you can’t catch one. No matter how cold it gets, they still have to eat. I just ain’t going to brave the cold! It will not be long till the weather and water warms up and the fish start biting. On the hunting side,Quail season is in till the end of the month as well asRabbit, Possum and Coon, Bobcat and Crow. Squirrel season is in till Feb 13th for Red and Gray Squirrel only. Snow,Blue and Ross’s goose is in till March 10th. I guess we will just have to look forward to Turkey on April 10th.

I would like to talk a little about conservation and the enviroment. I know you are probably asking yourself how a hunter and fisherman like myself could care about the enviroment. Don’t get me wrong,I ain’t a treehugger either. Sportsman just realize that the animals are an important part of our world and the are barometers of the ecosystems health. A healthy ecosystem is good for both non-game and game species and for us! I pick up trash out of the water every day and most of it is plastic shopping bags. Sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish and eat them resulting in death. Seabirds face the same hazards from trash in the water.Old fishing line,plastic bottles and bags,bottles and cans don’t just disappear. A couple of years ago I was hunting in the mountains and came across an old dump site in a ravine and it was decades old and you could still see bottles and cans in the pile. Folks, we made the mess and it’s up to us to clean it up. I always try to come home with more trash than I left with even if I just walk around the block. It would amaze most poeple to see the trash floating in the water after a good rainstorm. I want to leave the next generation the same things to enjoy that I do. Clean water, Clean air, fish to catch and game to hunt.Well till next week be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 1-26-10

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:50:44 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. There really ain’t much happening with the fishing except for Reds in the surf. The inlet bars at Rich’s and Topsail are holding some nice fish. Lea Island is a hotspot and you might get lucky and catch a big school moving along the beach about anywhere along the island. Some Specks are still around too. Mirro-lures and redhead jigs with a green body seems to work just fine. The water temps are in the low 50′s to high 40′s according to where you are. The ocean is a little warmer than the sound but a sunny day will raise the temperature enough to get fish feeding. Remember to work your bait slower when it’s cold!

On the hunting side, Duck season goes out Saturday and some birds are here. Bluebills,Buffleheads,Redheads,Geese,Mergansers,or Ringnecks are all possible now. The birds are scattered but still it’s worth the trip. Loads of birds were here right before that cold snap the other week but they moved on. Lots of birds are just a little north of us at Pamlico,Cedar Island and Mattamuskett. Lets hope some more show up before the weekend. Check your regulations digest for the other small game that is still in season like Quail. It’s also a good time to pick up closeouts at the sporting goods stores around the area and you can save a ton on next season’s gear. Well thats about it for this week so remember to be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 1-12-10

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:08:33 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. I hope everybody has been able to stay warm for the last week. This is some unseasonably cold weather but the good thing about it is the ducks are showing up. Mattamuskett, Pamlico, and Core sounds are full of birds and they are showing up in the area now. Plenty of Bluebills and some Redheads are around. Buffleheads and loads of Mergansers. A few Blacks and Mallards can also make for an interesting morning too. I’ve heard that the river has Ringnecks, Mallards,and some Teal. Woodies are also in the mix. Lots of Geese are around too. With the cold weather the ponds and creeks are freezing up and the birds are going to big water like the sound now, so go hunting folks.

The fishing is pretty much a bust until the weather warms up a little, so clean and organize your gear for next season. Oil reels and respool them with line and when you get done with that, get the boat in order too. Turkey season ain’t but a few months away so get that squared away as well.
Well that’s about it for this week so remember to be safe and take a kid with you.

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 1-5-10

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:29:26 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with the first outdoors report of 2010. The water temps are in the mid to low 50′s and the fish ain’t biting much. When the temperature gets low most fish won’t feed until the water warms a little. It may only take a couple off degrees to turn them on but it still is a slow bite. Some Trout are biting and the Big Reds are on the inlet bars. Cut bait seems to be the bait for the Reds and Mirro-lures for Specks. Folks, only the hardcore go fishing this time of the year. Deer season is out now till next September. Duck season is in till the end of the month and the birds are showing up. Most of them have been on the freshwater but hopefully this cold weather will freeze them up and push the ducks to the sound.

On another note, now is the time to start getting ready for fishing season. Take the batteries out of your boat, charge them up, and put them in a warm place till spring. Cold weather will kill a battery in a heartbeat! Pull the bilge plugs, then put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and run it for a few minutes. If you had a problem with your boat now is the time to take it to the shop. Most shops ain’t busy now because folks don’t worry about it till spring when they put it in the water and it don’t run right. Then they want it fixed immediately! It’s also a good time to catch closeout sales on sporting goods. Boat shows and fishing seminars will be going on as well as other outdoor related shows. Don’t worry folks, it won’t be but a couple off months till things start biting again. Till next week, stay warm and be safe.

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 11-8-09

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:41:19 +0000

Hi folks, Capt. David here with the outdoors report. The fishing has slowed way down but a few fish are still biting.

The surf water is around 61 degrees and the sound is a couple off degrees warmer. There are still some Red and Black drum in the surf along with some Whiting. A Speck is always a possibility too.

Back in the sound the specks are around the swing bridge and at the dredge dock on the south end.

I’ve heard that Topsail creek is a good spot too.

Offshore the fishing has moved on out to the 25-30 mile range but is still good when you can get out. These fast moving cold fronts this time of the year can make it get nasty in a hurry, so be careful and be sure of the weather forecast.

I’m sorry about the last few weeks and missing my column deadline but between computer problems, family obligations, and hunting trips out of state, I’ve had a rough time lately. Some of my faithful readers have called to see if I’m still alive!

On the hunting side, Deer season is still in and some great deer have been taken locally too. I’ve got a couple but I’ve let a lot walk too. It’s not about the meat or horns anymore for me, It’s the experience! You old guys know what I mean. Duck season just went out but will come back in on Dec 19th till Jan 30th. I’ve seen a few birds on the sound and even shot a couple. Maybe we will have one of those winters the will bring some ducks down here. One thing that I would like to stress is wear a life jacket in the boat. Number one, you can’t swim very well when you look like the Michelin man and number two, Hypothermia will kill you in a short amount of time in cold water. Add wet clothes, even if you can get out of the water and you are in a heap of trouble! I would rather but an old duck hunter than a bold duck hunter! Most all other game animals are in season, so take the kids squirrel or rabbit hunting. Also Christmas is almost upon us. Leave the Bass Pro catalog or the Cabelas in strategic places and leave it open to the page you want. Now circle or underline the product you want and write wishlist on it. It’s just like trapping folks. You have to bait the trap for it to pay off! Well till next week, be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 10-26-09

Gillwetter Press — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:37:03 +0000

Hi folks Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The Spots are here and the Specks are too. Some nice Flounder are still around as well. Reds are everywhere from the surf to the backwater creeks and are hungry! Everything is biting now folks so it’s the time to go fishing. Blues are in the sound and surf and will hit anything. Gray trout are biting too. Surf or sound you can’t go wrong. The inlets are hot and some nice Reds and Specks can be caught around the Dredge dock on the south end. The north end of Lea Island is hot with some 20-30 pound Reds being caught in the surf. The water temps are cooling off and all the fish are trying to fatten up for the winter, so it really doesn’t matter if it’s cut bait, live bait, or artificials, they will hit it!

Offshore the bottom fishing is still good with Black bass and grouper on the rockpiles and ledges. Kings are still in the 20 mile range but that don’t mean you can’t catch one closer in. Look for the bait and you will fish. Spanish are still around and some False Albacore are in the area. Watch for diving birds and bait crashing. Be careful when you go out because of these fast moving fronts we get this time of the year. The weather can turn in a short time.

Last weekend I fished in the Red-Trout for Cystic Fibrosis tournament out of Figure Eight Yacht Club and guided two anglers for two days of the hardest fishing weather one could dream up! Windy, cold, cloudy, rainy, and unusually high tides made for rough condition but we managed to catch a few fish and won the largest redfish catagory. If you don’t know about this tournament it’s part of the Mercury Redbone Series. It’s all catch and release, 100% charity for the benefit of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The money raised goes to find the cure for this ailment that affects children and young adults. Special thanks to the manager and staff at Figure Eight Yacht Club for their hospitality and use of their facilities.

Hunting season is in and I’m a happy boy! Duck season comes in on Nov 14th-Dec 5th, then from Dec 19th-Jan 30th. Black Ducks are out till Dec 1st. Deer gun season is in and I finally tagged one. It was a 21/2 year old cull buck. He had a long spike on one side and 3 points on the other. I saw the same deer last year and he had the same rack, only smaller. If you are trying to manage for better bucks,you have to take the culls and leave the small basket racks to get older and become a trophy. I’ve got to where I will pass on a buck if he has potential, But I will take a mature doe in a second. Well thats it for this week so be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Capt. David with Red-Trout Trophies for biggest Redfish in recent Cystic Fibrosis tournament.

Topsail & Surf City Outdoors-Fishing Report 10-6-09

Gillwetter Press — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:54:57 +0000

Hi folks, . David here with this weeks outdoors report. The spots have been running with good catchs coming from the piers and sound. Lots of blues are around and the Spanish are thick. The best bite on the Spanish is early morning. Trolling a Clark Spoon on a small planer will work every time! The Flounder bite has slowed down a little but it’s probably due to all the rain water draining into the sound. Some nice Gray trout are just off the beaches and specks are starting to bite as well. The swing bridge in the early morning or at night is a good place to look for the Specks and the creeks off the New River are loaded. Reds are everywhere from the surf to the sounds and are hungry. The inlet bars are godd as is about any creek mouth and oyster bar. Live finger mullet on a Carolina rig will work and if you are good, Topwater redfish are a blast. Top dog’s, Zaraspook’s, or any other walk the dog type lure will work.
Kings are everywher from the beach on out and the bottom fishing is hot too! Snapper, Grouper, Gray trout, Flounder and Sharks are all possible. Pick a nice day and lay out of work! Go fishin’ folks. It’s fall, there is a little nip in the air, the fishing is good and hunting season is in. It don’t get any better than that!

Deer season is in,Muzzle loader season comes in on the 10th and Gun season is in on the 17th. Folks the dogs will be running soon and the hunters will be afield! Some folks might not understand the history behind hound hunting but it’s the only way you can control the deer populations in some area’s. Starvation from over-population is not a healthy for the wildlife. If a hunting dog wanders up please call the phone number on the collar and the owner will pick them up. They may look skinny and bony but how many marathon runners ain’t as skinny as a rail! Well I got to finish packing to go to the mountains on a hunting trip. Maybe I will get lucky!

Well thats it for this week, so remember, be safe and take a kid with you!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818