The cobia bite should continue well into June and maybe beyond into summer, as it did last summer. The Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still hitting really well around the Cape Lookout area, with most fishermen getting their limits of both. For those fishing for cobia, you’re going to be fishing using one of two proven methods…either bottom fishing or sight-casting artificials. For those bottom fishing, you should be using either live or fresh bait.
Usually menhaden is the best, but eels and small bottom fish will work also. Sight-casting baits that I use are typically large buck tails with a twister tail added (Mojo rig.) Also, the Salty Bay Whippit Eel works well, and Blue Water Candy has come out with a new Mylar Bucktail with a spinner blade that works well.
The Spanish are hitting trolled spoons and dusters in silver and gold. For those casting light tackle to Spanish, the baits I use are the Sea Striker Jig Fish in blue and silver, and the Salty Bay Glass Minnow. Both of these baits will also pick up some nice sized Atlantic bonito.
Looking for some great early June topwater action? Keep an eye out for the chopper blues up on the flats around Cape Lookout. These fish will be traveling in packs and will devour any bait thrown to them. I generally like to use the new C-eye 85 MirrOlures and also the Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers as they are large enough that these large fish can’t swallow them. These are definitely worth a look as you are traveling through the Cape; they can also be found feeding out on the shoals near and around Shark Island.
Want to do some really fun sight-fishing?? I’ve been sight-casting to blacktip sharks off the Cape Lookout Shoals in two to four feet of water on medium-action Star Paraflex rods with a 6000 series Star Ariel Reel and 30-pound test Calcutta Ultra Braid. Talk about fun…these sharks usually range between four- and seven-feet long and really put up a good 20- to 30-minute fight. Just remember, these are real sharks with real teeth. If you put one in the boat, be careful as they are a handful, to say the least… but they are very tasty on the grill.
A little news on the subject of new fishing gear and related items: the new Star Fishing Tackle Ariel Reels are now out and I’ve been testing them extensively with great results. They have an extremely smooth action and a great drag system. These reels range in size from 3000 series up to 8000 series, with the 3000 and 4000 not being on the market until fall. I can tell you they work great and, as they are priced under $100, they’re hard to beat. For those wanting to check out these new items and most other tackle, they can be found at most of our local tackle shops around the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach area.
Just a reminder…June is in full swing and lots of boats are on the water, so be safe,
don’t get in a rush and enjoy your day on the Crystal Coast.