Crystal Coast Nearshore and Ocean
North Carolina's Crystal Coast earns it's name from the beautiful nearshore waters that surround it. The waters just off of Bear Island, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout are not only beautiful, but they are full of hungry fish. Schools of False Albacore, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and Jacks roam the surf seasonally. A few miles off the beaches, Bonito, Amberjack, King Mackerel and other predators swim over artificial reels and hard bottom ledges.
Throw Clouser Minnow Flies at Springtime Bonito and Mackerel on nearshore reefs. Run the beaches in early Summer looking for Cobia following giant sea turtles. Bait and switch Amberjack on Artificial Reefs. Catch Bluefish on fly and light-tackle to your heart's content. Run and gun to blitzing False Albacore and cast a Surf Candy in front of them as they destroy schools of Anchovies.
Below are a few of the species we can target on fly or light-tackle seasonally on the Crystal Coast. Depending on the time of year, we can target a few different species on the same trip.
Throw Clouser Minnow Flies at Springtime Bonito and Mackerel on nearshore reefs. Run the beaches in early Summer looking for Cobia following giant sea turtles. Bait and switch Amberjack on Artificial Reefs. Catch Bluefish on fly and light-tackle to your heart's content. Run and gun to blitzing False Albacore and cast a Surf Candy in front of them as they destroy schools of Anchovies.
Below are a few of the species we can target on fly or light-tackle seasonally on the Crystal Coast. Depending on the time of year, we can target a few different species on the same trip.
False Albacore - September through November, with a small run in April
Back in the 1990's, the Cape Lookout and Harker's Island area was made famous by a little tuna called the False Albacore. These "Albies" have all the requirements needed to put them on the top of the list as a premier SW target. For one thing, they love to hunt in packs from a dozen to several hundred, destroying every baitfish on their radar. They put on a spectacular feeding show, turning the surface of the ocean into a boil, attracting flocks of seagulls who scavenge leftover bits of bait. When hooked, they take off at speeds upwards of 40mph burning about a hundred yards of line off your reel in a few seconds. When you get them back in close, they usually get a second wind and make another run. Best of all, if you can match the hatch, they will readily inhale a small baitfish pattern on a fly rod or a jig on a medium action spinning rod.
Bonita - April through May
Bonito, not to be confused with "Bonita" are the False Albacore's toothy and much better tasting cousin. They blitz on the surface over hard bottoms and wrecks, and peel off line at warp speeds just like Albies. They also happen to be one of my all-time-favorite fish to eat. Grilled or raw, they are delicious. There's only one problem...they only visit us for a short time. For a couple weeks each April/May they show up off our beaches. If you can line up good weather during that time, you are in for a treat.
Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel - April through October
Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are two toothy predators that spend the warm months around the inlets and sounds. They are schooled up, and feeding on Silversides, Anchovies and any other innocent baitfish that get in their way. Although they can be caught blind casting, sight fishing for them can be a lot of fun as they ravage a school of baitfish. Any lure or fly that mimics the small minnows they are feeding on will be quickly devoured. Both the Spanish and Blues are great sport on a medium-light spinning rod or a 5-7wt fly rod. Other fish, such as Ladyfish and Jacks are often caught while doing this type of fishing.
Sharks - June through September
During the summer months, Blacktips, Spinners, Sharpnose, Sandbars and other species of sharks enter the nearshore waters and sounds to feed on Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Menhaden and Stingrays. We can set up a shoal where these sharks congregate, and set out chum to bring them in close to the boat. The easiest way to catch these sharks is by soaking chunks of fresh bait on the bottom, but they will also occasionally eat lures and flies. These fish range from 20lbs to well over 200lbs. When hooked in extremely shallow water, these sharks will fight hard and make very long runs. A lot of times during the summer, the water will be clear enough to be able to see the sharks come in on the chum line and circle the boat before they take the bait. Another great shark fishing opportunity is fishing behind the nearshore Shrimp Trawlers. The wake of the trawlers is usually filled with hungry sharks that will inhale a fly or anything else tossed in their path. A third opportunity is shallow-water sight-casting flies to the Bonnethead sharks that come into our waterways during the summer. All sharks are released to fight another day.
Inlet and Nearshore Fly and Light-Tackle Rates (Mackerel, Bluefish, etc)
(1 to 4 anglers)
Half Day……….4hrs……….$500
3/4 Day………..6hrs……….$600
Full Day………..8hrs……….$700
3/4 Day………..6hrs……….$600
Full Day………..8hrs……….$700
Ocean Light Tackle and Fly Rates (Albacore, Amberjack, Bull Reds, etc)
(Center Console - 1-4 anglers)
Half Day……….4hrs……….$600
3/4 Day………..6hrs……….$700
Full Day………..8hrs……….$800
3/4 Day………..6hrs……….$700
Full Day………..8hrs……….$800