As I’m sure you all have figured out by now…IT’S HOT!! This is July as we know it, though. Hot weather and even hotter fishing is the name of the game for this time of year in North Carolina.
Offshore, the billfish bite is phenomenal. Big blue marlin in large numbers, sailfish, and white marlin all make their presence known offshore of the break here in July. With the billfish tournament season already kicked off with the Big Rock and Swansboro tourneys, the secret is out and the fish are chewing hard. If you’ve always wanted to catch a marlin, get off your couch and go get ‘em. The meatfish bite is pretty slow out in the deep right now, but that’s where the big boys roam. However, that doesn’t mean that the mahis, wahoo, and tuna are gone, by any means. The biggest problem I see is that a lot of people seem to overrun the fish this time of year. There isn’t any need to run 60+ miles for the pelagics like you have to in the early spring or late fall. The fish seem to stack up on the bait balls in the 15-20 fathom range offshore and provide full coolers and sore arms, all without the long runs previously thought to be required to find them.
For an awesome July trip, I would recommend running out to the 30 to 35-mile range and set out a spread of ballyhoo and sea witches for steady mahi and wahoo action. Once you’ve got your fill of meat in the box, take off offshore to the 100 fathom range and set out a spread of lures for that blue marlin you’ve always wanted. July brings a lot more than hot weather. It brings hot fishing for everyone. Now is the time to go after the big marlin you always wanted a shot at, or grab the kids and take them out for a mahi trip they’ll never forget. Either way, July in NC is a great time to get offshore. But the best part is that it only gets better from here on out!
Capt. John Mallette
(910) 934-2628
www.topsailfishingcharters.com
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