Southeast NC Archives - Page 80 of 117

Matt Nelson of Charlotte admires a 9-pound Spanish mackerel he caught on live bait last spring.

Spanish mackerel can be delicious

Some people don’t like the taste of mackerel, probably because they’ve only eaten king mackerel. […]

David Moore of Kinston poses with two of his 13-year-old triplets, Joel (left) and Will (right), who both killed great Lenoir County gobblers on April 4, opening day of North Carolina's youth-only turkey season. Joel's bird had four beards and rare "smoke phase" plumage.

Two Lenoir County triplets double up on huge gobblers as youth season opens

Two out of three ain’t bad, especially if one of them is really special. That’s got to be the way that David Moore of Kinston is feeling after two of his three 13-year-old triplet sons, Will and Joel, killed monster Lenoir County gobblers on April 4, the opening day of North Carolina’s week-long youth-only turkey season – with Joel’s bird being a rare, “smoke phase” gobbler. […]

Target-shooting is now illegal on the Holly Shelter and Stones Creek game lands because of concerns over safety and habitat destruction.

Commission closes two game lands to target shooting over safety concerns

NCWRC Release

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has halted target shooting on Holly Shelter and Stones Creek game lands, citing habitat destruction and public safety concerns. […]

Redfish are still schooled up and beginning to bite better in the marshes of lower Brunswick County, hitting mud minnows on light jigheads and soft-plastic shrimp.

Redfish action warming up in lower Brunswick County marshes

Jerry Dilsaver

Capt. Mark Stacy of Ocean Isle Fishing Charters in Ocean Isle said redfish in his area have been biting pretty regularly and trout fishing is beginning to improve as the weather begins to moderate. […]

April opens Spanish mackerel season along the southeastern North Carolina coast, an event that’s not to be missed.

The Spanish Armada – North Carolina’s Spanish (mackerel) armada will show up off the beaches of Brunswick County this month

Craig Holt

Spring saltwater fishing along North Carolina’s southeastern coast begins in April when the water temperature warms enough to draw Spanish mackerel up from Florida where they spend the winter. It also helps that the baitfish that headline their menu also return. […]

Redfish are only one of a handful of species biting for Capt. Rennie Clark in the lower Cape Fear River.

Runoff has mixed bag of freshwater, saltwater fish biting in lower Cape Fear River

Jerry Dilsaver

A deluge of runoff has made the Cape Fear River a smorgasbord for inshore fishermen, with Capt. Rennie Clark of Carolina Beach having a recent catch of red drum, stripers, a keeper flounder and a largemouth bass near Snow’s Cut. […]

A good, high-definition depth finder is crucial to being able to locate the outside edges of the Little River jetties where redfish lurk this month.

Picture the bottom

Jeff Burleson

From fishing in 8 inches of water for tailing redfish to deep-dropping for swordfish in 750 feet of water, knowing and understanding what is down below is crucial on a fishing trip. […]

Warm days in late winter and early spring can not only bring out comfortable clothing, but active feeding in redfish.

Weather is a key factor in catching jetty redfish

Jeff Burleson

A nice, sunny spring day on the water feels good to the fishermen, but even more important, a warming trend can actually improve fishing, especially at the jetties that line Little River Inlet. […]

Jetties along Little River Inlet are great spots for late-winter, early spring redfish action.

Jerk on a jetty red – As winter gets ready to leave and spring to arrive, redfish action cranks up around Little River jetties

Jeff Burleson

After a long winter, fishermen can find a strong fishery cranking into high gear as the spring thaw approaches. […]

Smaller black drum can often be found in pods or schools during the winter, in part because the amount of available habitat is smaller.

Chumming can be very effective

Jeff Burleson

For most inshore fishing, anglers locate and then cast to them. Offshore, anglers fish areas where the fish should be and will frequently deploy chum to get the fish focused on the angler’s baits or lures. […]