July 7th through the 9th, 2023. The East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament is a highly anticipated event for fishing enthusiasts. Hosted by the Got Em On Live Bait Club in Carolina Beach, Pleasure Island, North Carolina, the tournament is a summer highlight that brings together families and fishing aficionados from all over....
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2023 Announcement The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has announced the 2023 recreational flounder season will run from September 15th to 29th. The season's regulations stipulate a one-fish per person per day limit and a 15-inch minimum size limit. Harvesting flounder with a Recreational Commercial Gear License will not be permitted. The restrictions are implemented....
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With its pristine shores, warm climate, and exceptional fishing opportunities, Carolina Beach is a destination that captures the hearts of those seeking tranquility, adventure, and nature's bounty. This article aims to be your comprehensive guide, taking you from a novice to an adept angler ready for your first fishing trip in this coastal paradise. You....
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The waters off Carolina Beach are teeming with king mackerel, making it an excellent location to target this highly sought-after game fish. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various aspects of king mackerel fishing in Carolina Beach, NC, covering everything from the best seasons to visit to the different fishing techniques used to....
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Surf fishing in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, offers an exhilarating experience for anglers amidst the stunning ocean backdrop. With miles of beaches and ample opportunities for casting a line, Carolina Beach caters to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned fishing enthusiasts. What is Surf Fishing? Surf fishing is a fishing technique where anglers stand....
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Redfish, also known as red drum or Sciaenops ocellatus, are popular sport fish native to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. As opportunistic predators, their diet can vary depending on their habitat, age, and availability of prey. In this article, we will explore the feeding habits of redfish in detail. Table of Contents....
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Introduction Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting into fishing, Carolina Beach has the fish for you. We've got everything from pompano to black drum and everything in between. Here are my top 10 fish for anglers at Carolina Beach: Red Drum Red drum, also known as seatrout, are a classic bait fish. They....
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Introduction Wilmington is a city in North Carolina that's located near the Cape Fear Coast. The city is known for its beaches and fishing, so it makes sense that there are some great spots to fish near Wilmington. If you're looking for some great places to go fishing nearby, here are my top picks: Wilmington,....
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Table of contents: Surf fishing for bull reds How to land a bull red in the surf How big can these bull reds get More about bull reds habitat What's the best bait to catch bull reds Surf fishing for bull reds can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you....
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Flounder are a type of flatfish that can be found in the Cape Fear River and its tributaries. There are several species of flounder that can be found in the river, including Southern flounder and Gulf flounder. Flounder are bottom-dwelling fish that are well adapted to life in the shallow, muddy waters of the Cape....
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Striped bass, also known as rockfish or stripers, are a popular game fish that can be found in the Cape Fear River and its tributaries. Striped bass are native to the Atlantic coast of North America and are known for their strong fighting ability and good taste. In the Cape Fear River, striped bass can....
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The Cape Fear River is a major river located in the southeastern United States, running through the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. With a length of over 200 miles, the Cape Fear River is an important natural resource for the region and has played a significant role in the history and development of....
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Some of the most sought out fish, both for sport and for table fare, are flounder, redfish, whiting and speckled trout. Let's take a look at some of the characteristics, fishing methods, and frequent habitats of these four popular fishes. For best times of the year to fish, and the best tides, check any good....
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There are so many brands of fishing line available it may be hard to choose which one is right for you. Besides the number of brands, you need to consider the many different kinds of line when making your choice. Quite frankly, for the beginner and even for some of you seasoned veterans the right....
continue reading In my years as a professional charter captain and guide, you might be surprised at how many of my customers do not know the proper techniques to good casting. Knowing how and when to employ a certain type of casting is very important to your fishing success. Let me try to walk you through this....
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King mackerel will show in good numbers during this time. Most of the fish will be of the smaller size, but a few big ones will be caught. There are many places to fish for kings and there are many ways to fish for these fast pelagics. Let’s look at the many options. Kings can....
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Fort Fisher Rock Wall One of our most famous fishing spots in SENCland is also a recognized famous historical site. But the Fort Fisher Rock Wall can also be infamous to foot fishermen for its treacherous slippery footing! Located at the end of Highway 421 South, The “Ft. Fisher Rock Wall” in the lower Cape....
continue reading Spring is coming strong and the waters here on the Carolina coast are warming, and so is the desire to spend some quality time outdoors! What better place to be than on a lovely stretch of beach barefooted, toes and legs in the warm waters bring caressed by the waves rolling in to shore, sun....
continue reading Nearshore Trolling Techniques: Small boaters are very lucky to live in our SENCLAND area as the nearshore opportunities for different fish is outstanding. On a calm day, slight or no swell, light wind and seas where our inlets can be easily passed by any size vessel, fisherman can cover a lot of various territory. We....
continue reading As winter ebbs into spring, May arrives and one can feel the summer months coming on,...finally. Today the SENCLAND area is warming rapidly, water temps are approaching the 70 degree mark, and the Pogeys (a favorite spring time baitfish) are signaling the arrival of spring are thick in the River basin, just the right size....
continue reading Since we cannot keep flounder of any size according to the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), at least for now, I suppose we are allowed to catch and release flounder. From a mortality perspective I would expect using artificials would be less compromising to the fish since they are more likely to be lip hooked.....
continue reading Winter’s over and Spring and Summer are coming on and so are your thoughts of the beach, the sun, a vacation, and wouldn’t it be nice to do some fishing? Yes, a great family and friends affair. Fishing is a primary outdoor recreation enjoyed by many, but how can I arrange this? It’s new to....
continue reading How to Get your Kids into Fishing, with spring coming on and Summer just around the corner, many concerned parents are looking for a family activity that is outdoors and child friendly, especially in this day of quarantines and isolation. Fishing is a great way to spend a family day, picnic, yet still social distance....
continue reading Spring is here and you’re ready to fish, but is your tackle? It’s been a while since your gear was stored, so is it ready to land that biggun’ tomorrow if he bites? Now’s the time to make sure your hooks are sharp, the line is fresh, and all your equipment functions perfectly....then you will....
continue reading There is a no better eating fish than the Virginia Mullet or “Whiting” as it is known here in South Eastern N C (SENCLand), and this ole’ Mullet provides a lot of sport to our surf, bank, and boat fisherman too! When they’re biting, they can be caught by the hundreds and provide a great....
continue reading As we approach April, 2020, with Covid 19 as a backdrop, I am not sure what actual fishing will take place. Hopefully we can all get back on the water sooner than later. As water temperatures ease over sixty degrees, inshore and near shore fishing starts to expand and by month end explode. Inshore red....
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While only five segments can only give you a rudimentary introduction to custom rod building, this is the final segment. I would like to remind you that anyone interested in going further, I do teach custom rod building in detail. You can find more information on my website listed below Now on to securing and....
continue reading The next thing we need to do is put some guides on the rod. There are many manufactures of guides, some great, some good and some not so good. Since I started building rods in 1984, I have been a strong proponent of Fuji guides. Even their low end guides are good quality and their....
continue reading In this segment we will discuss exactly how we assemble the various parts of the grip to the rod. It is not overly complicated, but it does require some planning and preparation. First you will need to determine the length of the butt grip including the butt cap or gimbal. For a typical inshore rod....
continue reading In the first installment of this series, we discussed some of the tools you will need. We also talked about the blank and many of its aspects. Now we move on to the many components necessary to complete your rod. The first component is the grip which includes a butt cap, the butt grip, the....
continue reading In 1984 my favorite fishing rod manufacturer went out of business. I tried several different companies, but was not totally satisfied with their products. Eventually, I found a book written by the legendary Dale Clemens, “Advanced Custom Rod Building”. Of course in 1984 Mr. Clemens was not legendary but was one of the few and....
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Summarizing Part 1, when surf fishing find the best spot to cast your line. Look for sloughs, cuts in the outer sandbar and generally areas where the water is “rougher” than the waters on either side of the area. Medium weight rods in the eight foot range combined with 4000 to 5000 reels and twenty....
continue reading In general, surf fishing is a very healthy, relatively easy and greatly satisfying way to fish. It opens an avenue to catch many different types of fish all the while enjoying often breathtaking scenery. Southeastern N.C. offers many places to fish including Topsail Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher beach areas.....
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Exciting shark fishing for everyone. Among all the varieties of fishing, shark fishing has to be included in the top tier. From youth fishermen to be to older adults like me, the mystery and allure of sharks begs to be challenged. Gone are the days when you could fish for sharks at night off your....
continue reading Fishing for Mahi-Mahi: Dolphin fish, mahi-mahi or simply mahi is one of the most exciting and most beautiful fish sought by fishermen venturing out usually ten miles to seventy miles from the beach. They change colors and are very acrobatic. They are excellent to eat. Let’s discuss where and how we can catch mahi. Mahi....
continue reading Through almost twenty-three years of professional fishing, I have learned many ways to make fishing from a boat easier and more productive. Today, let’s focus on inshore fishing. And for our discussion gear can encompass every aspect of boat fishing. Arguably, the most important piece of gear is your boat. Through the years I have....
continue reading Fishing for Spanish Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel are the staple, go to fish for many fishermen. Their season starts usually in early May and goes into October. They are easy to clean (filet) and taste good on the dinner table. While there are several ways to go about catching Spanish, the methods are generally not complicated....
continue reading Cobia Fishing Trips and Tips One of the hardest fighters pound for pound, cobia are also excellent at the dinner table. Cobia have several habits that distinguish themselves from other fishes. They like to follow closely behind a slow moving boat propeller; they pick up a bait and run significant distances before swallowing it; and....
continue reading Surf Fishing Tips for Carolina Beach, NC Fishing is a beloved pastime for many, and surf fishing, in particular, combines the thrill of angling with the beauty and serenity of the ocean shore. For those on the Atlantic coast, Carolina Beach is a prime location for this aquatic adventure. This article will provide you with....
continue reading While black drum are good fighters and very good on the dinner table, they are often overlooked by inshore fishermen. Although they can be caught virtually any time of the year, generally speaking they prefer cooler waters, early spring and late fall seem to be peak season. Many fishermen have a bit of difficulty distinguishing....
continue reading Speckled trout may be the most elusive of the three inshore slam species: red drum, flounder and of course trout. They are most prevalent in the cooler to colder months and can be particular as to what they are willing to bite. But persistence and a little know how can greatly enhance your chances of....
continue reading How to catch Flounder Flounder are known for their cunning ways as to the bite and the actual hooking, but most notably for their excellent table fare. For this reason alone, they are probably the most commonly sought after inshore fish. You may catch flounder from piers, the surf and boats. Let’s visit flounder in....
continue reading How to catch redfish Redfish, red drum, puppy drum, channel bass are all names for what we around southeast N.C. call, simply, “reds”. Known for their strong fighting ability as well as their awesome table fare, reds are one of the premier inshore fishes. You can catch them from the surf, piers, and boats. Let’s....
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