East Central NC Archives - Page 46 of 112

Capt. Noah Lynk of Harkers Island is worried that this week's cold weather might have harmed speckled trout.

Two small cold-stun events reported by marine fisheries

Fishermen are worried about a possible cold-stun event during this week’s blast of winter weather, but a biologist with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has listed only small stun-kill events in two places along the coastline. […]

Guide William Sasser said catching crappie this time of year is the easy part. Finding anglers willing to brave the cold to do it is what’s difficult.

Deep brush around creek mouths holding Clarks Hill crappie

Phillip Gentry

Guide William Sasser said that crappie in Clarks Hill Lake must be huddling together for warmth, because lately, he has been loading coolers for his clients by targeting deep brush piles around the mouth of major tributaries. […]

Greg Darr and George Buckner show off some Lake Monticello bass -- largemouth and smallmouth.

Lake Monticello’s bass, largemouth and smallmouth, are on the feed

Terry Madewell

Lake Monticello is unique in many ways, one being that it’s a pump-back type reservoir that puts warm water into the lake during cold weather. […]

Reef balls will be added to expand three nearshore artificial reefs off the North Carolina coast thanks to a grant of funds from sales of the recreational saltwater fishing license.

Three artificial reefs will be enhanced with CRFL money

Jerry Dilsaver

Fishermen in the southern part of Onslow Bay will soon be fishing on improved habitat courtesy of the Coastal Recreational Fishing License and the Onslow Bay Artificial Reef Association; the OBARA was awarded $637,500 in the most-recent round of grants funded by income from the saltwater fishing license. […]

Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, won the Bassmasters Classic in 2008 when it visited Lake Hartwell and Greenville.

Classic dates set — Feb. 20-22, 2015 — for return to Hartwell, Greenville

Phillip Gentry

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) made the official announcement on Thursday that the Bassmasters Classic will return to Lake Hartwell and Greenville in 2015. […]

When natural foods disappear as the water cools toward winter levels, soft-plastic shrimp imitations are very effective.

Speckled trout particulars

Jerry Dilsaver

Spotted sea trout, Cynoscion nebulosus, are primarily called speckled trout or specks. They are a favorite of inshore and surf fishermen and can usually be caught along the North Carolina coastline all year — except during the coldest winters. […]

Holman Byrd’s scaup (left) and canvasback decoys were made from cedar and tupelo; he also uses cork, which he says is indestructible.

Indestructible decoys? Make your own

Mike Marsh

Diving ducks come into the decoys flying extremely low, often barely above the surface of the water. When using large decoy spreads, low-flying waterfowl like scaup and canvasback can draw fire from hunters that riddles decoys with shot. […]

A depth finder can help fishermen anchor over humps and slopes to cast to structure holding shellcrackers.

Double-anchor is key to admission to shellcracker heaven

Brian Cope

Although Tony Alexander likes to keep things simple when fishing for shellcrackers, he said some tools are very helpful in catching these fish. […]

A good retriever can make a duck hunt on the New River even more enjoyable.

Bumpers boost canine confidence

Mike Marsh

One of the most enjoyable aspects of hunting ducks on big, open waters like the New River is watching a trained retriever making a long, difficult retrieve. […]

Tony Alexander said that light tackle is a perfect match for presenting baits and lures to winter shellcrackers.

Real or fake, shellcracker baits are best presented on light line, tackle

Brian Cope

Live bait — especially worms — are choice options for shellcracker fishing in cold weather. One reason is because the worms wiggle around on the hook, drawing attention to themselves. […]