Fall fishing picks up in SE North Carolina

Anglers have numerous options

Capt. Jot Owens of Jot It Down Fishing Charters in Wrightsville Beach, NC said October is when the Fall fishing really gets into full swing around the southeastern portion of North Carolina. Multiple species are in play, and anglers can have success using numerous tactics.

“As the waters cool down from the fall air, the redfish really get active, and this is the time to catch some good numbers in shallow water,” said Owens (910-233-4139).

He said the mullet run is in full swing, so redfish key in on these baitfish. This means anglers can cast topwater lures along marsh grass banks and oyster mounds in creeks and along the ICW, attracting redfish that are expecting to find mullet.

Owens suggests anglers try topwater lures like a MirrOlure Top Pup or Top Dog, Jr.

“Remember, work these lures with good side-to-side action (walking the dog) for a sure strike bite action,” he said.

Live finger mullets fished under rattling or popping corks also work great for redfish in this shallow water.

Old drum

Owens said anglers looking for the bigger redfish will find them in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets during September, and usually run throughout October.

“When I fish for bigger reds, I use fresh cut or live menhaden or mullet,” he said. “I use Carolina rigs with 8/0 or 9/0 TroKar AP TK5 circle hooks, and 80-pound Berkley Big Game mono leaders.”

When using circle hooks for big redfish, Owens said anglers need to use a tight drag. This allows the circle hook to do its job of hooking these fish in the corner of the mouth as it swims off with your bait.

“Also, when fishing for bull reds, don’t use tackle that’s too light for the job. If you fight them too long, you risk tiring them out too much, which can kill them,” he said.

Owens said a medium-heavy rod, paired with a reel holding 30-pound mono or braid, or heavier, is what anglers should use when targeting big redfish.

Speckled trout

Another popular inshore fish that is on Owens’ fishing menu this month is speckled trout.

“Specks are not too hard to catch this month. Knowing what lures to use, and when, can really make a difference in how many you catch,” he said.

In water depths that range between 6 and 20 feet, he uses hard lures like a MirrOlure 52M, 52MR, or 18MR. Soft plastic grubs like Berkley’s 3-inch Gulp shrimp, 3-inch Ripple Mullet, and Powerbait Pro Twitch Tail minnows are also good choices in these depths.

When fishing in water that’s 2 to 6 feet deep, he opts for hard lures like MirrOlure 17MR and 22MR, and when the water is very calm, he’ll cast MirrOlure She Pups or Top Pups on the surface.

“It’s so exhilarating to see a big fall trout hit a topwater lure. But if you’d rather use live bait, try live mud minnows or live shrimp. Rig the live bait on a light Carolina rig for deeper water, and a float rig in shallow waters. Also, always use fluorocarbon leaders for speckled trout, which have great eyesight.