Sidebars Archives - Page 185 of 194

June 17, 2026

Drifting a small menhaden on a cut-down live-bait king mackerel rig can produce some larger-than-average Spanish mackerel.

Spanish without spoons

Trolling isn’t the only way to put Spanish mackerel in the fish box, and Capt. David Cutler takes advantage of two other situations and techniques to put his parties on fish. […]

Cobia are attracted to brightly-colored lures like this bucktail.

Sling bling at ling

Mike Marsh

A cobia by any other name — they’re also known as lemonfish and ling — still looks like a big, brown catfish. He may be ugly, but he likes his “bling.” […]

The 2011 season was one of the best on record for most fisherimen along the Carolinas coast. Did a lower number of king mackerel in nearshore waters contribute?

2011 Spanish fishing was unbeatable. What role did lack of kings play?

Dan Kibler

On both sides of the North Caroliia-South Carolina border, anglers reported that 2011 was one of the best years on record for catching Spanish mackerel. […]

Stream bottoms are great spots to run into turkeys in the Piedmont, because their banks are often filled with acorn-producing oak trees.

Tommy Kirby of Willow Oaks Plantation in Rockingham County is on the same page with his boss, Arthur Dick, when it comes to cutting down on the amount of calling a turkey hunter does and paying more attention to location. […]

Heavy, durable lures are required for high-speed trolling applications.

Throttle down!

Jeff Burleson

Traditional bluewater trolling methods, gear and lure selection rarely allow for trolling speeds over eight to 10 knots. […]

Ghost Hunting calls and lures

Bruce Ingram

Guide Israel Gibson of Rivers Edge Outfitters in Spruce Pine is a big fan of Ghost Hunting Calls and Lures in Marion, especially the company’s friction ones. […]

Capt. David Cutler loves to fish for early-spring wahoo in the bluewater off Little River. He looks for color and temperature changes to hold wahoo.

Get an early start

Jeff Burleson

Whether inshore, offshore or in a freshwater environment, 90 percent of fish become more active as dark turns to daylight, and seas. […]

Young hunters watch a presentation as part of Willow Oak Plantation’s QDMA-mentored hunting program.

Willow Oaks’ role in preparing future hunters

Bruce Ingram

Judy Gardner, vice president of the North Carolina State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association, praised Arthur Dick at Willow Oaks Plantation for their commitment to helping nurture the next generation of hunters. […]

A big wahoo can knock a lure several feet up the line, away from the hook. Keeping the lure closer to the hook often prevents biteoffs.

Prevent break-offs

Jeff Burleson

The sound of a big reel burning off drag will quickly energize a crew on a bluewater excursion, but the instantaneous pressure release and a limp rod will discourage even the most-patient angler when the line is severed for one reason or another. […]

Hammie Ballantine caught this puppy drum behind one of the spoil islands in the Cape fear River.

Pups, redfish and old drum

Jerry Dilsaver

Along North Carolina’s coast, red drum, siaenops ocellatus, are also known as redfish. […]