Coastal Angler – June 2015
Capt. Troy Pate
June fishing off the Crystal Coast – good fishing, lots of marlins around and The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament! This will be a great month to get offshore and have a truly great day!!
I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, June means it’s time for The Big Rock! This is the premier fishing event in the area and 1 of the largest tournaments of its’ kind, period! Every day you will see the charter fleet finishing up preparations for this tournament. There will be more and more large private boats showing up as the date approaches, all of us in quest to catch a monster blue marlin!
Whether you are fishing your own boat or taking a charter, the fishing is almost always good off the Crystal Coast in June. Our main body of the larger gaffer size mahi have moved on but there are still plenty around, and they will become mixed with more of the smaller ones as we move into summer. Always a chance at a wahoo but they are slower now until August/September, and you never know when you may find some tuna. The sailfish and white marlin will steadily increase, but the big story is that there are a lot of hungry blue marlin swimming in our waters.
We do not pull our planer rod nearly as often after the gaffer mahi show up in May, at least not until August when the wahoo start showing again in better numbers. Our primary spread is set up for the mahi with bright colors and a lot of bright contrast. Don’t be afraid to use some smaller baits as you drag along a weed line to prospect for the fish. Once you find them you should be able to catch what you need on most days. No big mystery, use your favorite “super-secret” baits – most will work when these fish are hungry if rigged and presented correctly. It always bears repeating, look at what the charter fleet uses – sea witches, sea witches and more sea witches. They work, period! Prepare your baits, rig them so they are swimming correctly, find a good spot and go to work.
Depending on where you decide to start it is a good idea to keep at least one larger bait in the water, either on a short rigger behind the teaser or on the shotgun. Try a blue/white islander with a select or horse ballyhoo, or any other larger combination of that sort. Once you get some meat fish in the boat go ahead and take a swing out into the deeper water and start your hunt for the big “day maker” bite. You should already be watching your spread and teasers like a hawk, but if not – now is the time to start. When it’s your turn it’s going to happen fast so you need to have everything ready. Keep everyone calm, clear the other lines and go after that fish! It’s awfully hard to explain the thrill of catching a marlin (for captain and crew), but I highly recommend giving it a try.
The weather is going to be improving and the fishing should be good. The James Joyce II will be fishing the Kelli Wagner Ladies Day tournament on June 6 and then The Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament from June 8-13. It’s always an exciting time around the Morehead waterfront during the tournament so come on down to the coast and check it out and by all means stop by the boat and say hello. Get your plan and crew together, get prepared, stay safe and have fun!!