Fishing in the Crystal Coast
No matter your age, experience level or method, the Crystal Coast's abundant variety of fish keeps anglers reeled in
By Captain Rob Koraly, Sandbar Safari Charters
There are several top notch marinas and tackle shops in our area, and they are great places to find friendly people willing to provide some local information on good fishing spots, the best baits and what techniques are producing. One great thing about fishing at the Crystal Coast is that you don’t even need a boat to get in on the action. Check out one of our area’s fishing piers to chase down speckled trout, flounder, drum, bluefish, mackerel and more. Most piers rent out rods and reels, and they will always have bait, tackle and an up-to-date fishing report. If you do have your own equipment, then surf fishing from the beach is another great option, and there is never a cover charge. You can even take a ferry to one of the State Park islands such as Hammocks Beach for some truly unspoiled surf fishing. During the spring, summer and fall, surf-casters are hooking up with red drum, black drum, spots, bluefish, whiting, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, grey trout and flounder. A standard bottom rig with cut shrimp will always get bites, but digging up some of the sand fleas scurrying along the beach or catching some small baitfish with a cast net can give anglers the upper hand.
For those who have their sea legs ready, there are several ways to get out on the water at the Crystal Coast. Our area has several free public boat ramps, and most all of them are in excellent shape. If you do have access to a boat, the calm, inland waters of the Crystal Coast offer outstanding light tackle fishing, and the offshore waters are waiting to put your arms to the test. The traditional fishing season begins in the spring as red drum, and speckled trout begin to ease their way out of the rivers and estuaries toward the sound. Further into the Atlantic, big yellowfin tuna and wahoo can be found by trolling in the Gulf Stream while bottom fishing for grouper, snapper, black sea bass and triggerfish heats up as well. During the summer, the Crystal Coast is a fisherman’s dream. Flounder, red drum, black drum, speckled trout, sheepshead and ladyfish can all be caught inshore in the sounds, inlets, and waterways. Offshore fishing heats up as well as bluefish, Spanish and king mackerels, cobia, amberjack, barracuda, mahi, wahoo, grouper. Even billfish such as sailfish and marlin are all eager to give you a great fight. As the fall approaches, most of these fish stay in the area and just get bigger and more aggressive. This is also when the famous Crystal Coast spot run kicks into gear. Spots are great for kids and first-time fishermen, but there are also 50-year Captains that love to go spot fishing. The spots make their run down the beach and through the main waterways, so they are easy to find, and they will eat just about any piece of bait you offer up, especially shrimp and bloodworms. Spots fry up great, making a delicious treat that is easy to catch. The Crystal Coast winter does not bring an end to the fishing. Bundle up and brave the elements for big red drum and bluefish in the surf, excellent speckled trout fishing in the inshore waters and some great bottom fishing offshore in the Gulf Stream. Winter is also the time that giants appear. Giant Bluefin Tuna from 100 to 800 pounds will be lumbering along the Crystal Coast waiting to either make your day or hurt your feelings. If you want in on the action but don’t have your own boat, there are many local fishing guides and charter boats that can get you on the open water for some world class fishing. These knowledgeable captains put clients on fish year-round both inshore and offshore. Depending on the time of year, the charter option can put you and your family or friends on trout, flounder, sheepshead and redfish inshore and mackerel, cobia, mahi, tuna, wahoo, grouper and bottom fish offshore. Even anglers with their own boat can always benefit from the tips and tactics learned by taking a charter and applying them to their personal fishing trips.
It’s really no wonder why the Crystal Coast has found a place in so many anglers’ hearts. With such a diverse range of species and a year-round fishery that caters to every level of experience, you can believe that the Crystal Coast is ready…it’s just waiting for you to get out and go fishing!
Fishing Listings
Listings are currently being updated for summer 2012. Check back soon!
| Cape Pointe Marina & Ferry Service Harkers Island, NC 252-728-6181 www.capepointemarina.com
416 Atlantic Beach Causeway Atlantic Beach, NC 252-726-4675 800-533-9417 www.captstacy.com
6th Street on the Morehead City Waterfront Morehead City, NC 252-726-5479 800-682-3456
617 Front Street (across from BB&T) Beaufort, NC 252-728-7827 www.crystalcoastlady.com
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Fish On Excursions Located in Beaufort, NC 252-528-0040 www.fishonexcursions.com
108 Atlantic Beach Causeway Atlantic Beach, NC 252-726-2607 www.freemanstackle.com
Between the Bridges on Hwy. 24, just 3 miles from Emerald IsleSwansboro, NC 252-354-3474 910-326-4304
Cape Carteret, NC 252-725-4614 www.sandbarsafari.com
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