Offshore Fishing Archives - Page 74 of 98

July 3, 2026

This 32.4-pound blackfin tuna was caught offshore aboard Capt. Tom Thomas’ ‘Top Gun.’

Run For It!

The first hints of spring start to show this month, and saltwater fishermen are only too ready to big winter good-bye. […]

Black sea bass are recovering from being overfished earlier in the decade, but strict catch restrictions remain in place; the recreational fishery is currently closed.

Not too long ago, plenty of options were available for fishermen who were set up to head offshore, but thanks to the folks at the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, those options available are dwindling. […]

The Coastal Fisheries Reform Group has announced it will seek a total gill-net ban along the North Carolina coast because the state Legislature has refused to act on proposed gamefish status for red drum and speckled trout.

Fisheries group calls for total gill-net ban, cites legislative inaction on gamefish bill

Craig Holt

The Coastal Fisheries Reform Group declared last week its intent to seek a total gill-net ban in North Carolina coastal waters. […]

A strike-netter goes past a recreational angler’s boat Feb. 4 in Onslow County's Stones Creek before closing off the creek to fishing by hook-and-line anglers.

Angler: Stones Creek netting incident shows lack of respect, portends trouble

Craig Holt

Robert Patterson of Jacksonville is used to swimming against the tide. […]

Rep. Darrell McCormick (background), co-chairman of the Legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources, listens as DMF director Louis Daniel III answers a question during a Raleigh public hearing. McCormick will speak at a recreational-fishing group’s fundraiser Feb. 25 in Swansboro.

McCormick to speak at Swansboro fundraiser for gamefish fight

Craig Holt

Representative Darrell McCormick, co-chair of the North Carolina Legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources, will be the keynote speaker during a Feb. 25 event to raise money for the fight to change the state’s saltwater fisheries management and better reflect the value of recreational fishing. […]

River herring crashed because of mismanagement by the NCMRC even as state biologists warned continued commercial netting was detrimental, and at least one recreational angler says he fears the same thing could happen with speckled trout.

Mismanagement of river herring warns of NCMFC’s commercial bias, veteran rec angler says

Craig Holt

As commercial and recreational saltwater fishing interests duke out their positions online and at meetings of the legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources, Ray Brown of Goldsboro remains one of the most eloquent speakers on behalf of coastal resources. […]

Securing gamefish status for red drum, speckled trout and stripers is vital to ensuring the health of North Carolina coastal communities, Topsail Island realtor Dean Phillips says.

Coastal realtor says gamefish status key to coastal counties’ survival

Craig Holt

The way Dean Phillips of Topsail Island sees it, fish availability is the horseshoe nail, the linchpin to the survival of most of North Carolina’s coastal counties, which is to say saltwater fish are crucial to the lives of a majority of coastal residents. […]

Tackle sales to recreational anglers not only lifts the coastal economy, but reaches far inland to help out North Carolina tackle shops.

Healthy inshore fisheries will boost coastal and inland businesses, tackle shop owners say

Jerry Dilsaver

While few people doubt the positive influence of healthy inshore saltwater fisheries on coastal businesses, not many stop to realize they also would benefit many inland businesses. […]

Angler Ray Brown of Colerain told legislators during yesterday's Committee on Marine Fisheries meeting that gamefish protection of red drum, speckled trout and striped bass would encourage the already important recreational fishing industry.

Experience is ‘sole reason hundreds of thousand go fishing every year,’ saltwater fisheries management review committee told

Craig Holt

The state legislature’s Committee on Marine Fisheries met for the second time on Thursday (Feb. 2) this time to hear comments from stakeholders in the saltwater fishing industry. […]

Even the study used by Gov. Bev Perdue to support commercial fishing shows recreational fishing is far more important to the state's economy.

Study used by Perdue shows recreational fishing more important than commercial fishing

Jerry Dilsaver

Statistics that Gov. Bev Perdue used to try and convince the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the dredging of Oregon Inlet last year provides plenty of fodder for those supporting changes in the way North Carolina manages its saltwater fisheries resources. […]