This month is going to be another hot one. We’ve had a late fishing season so everything that wasn’t happening through June will be set in motion with this month.
Small schools of small-size mullet have been spotted but late July will bring the full fledged “mullet run” through North Carolina. The mullet will stay around for a few months and this draws a lot of fish in through the inlets and into the backwaters. These mullet are an excellent and easy source of bait and you will find them easiest on a lower tide running the shore banks. Hook these baits on a Carolina rig or on a float rig to see the most success for flounder, trout, and redfish.
If you don’t want to mess with live bait, plastic lures are always an option for you. This time of year topwater plugs work great for fooling reds and specks alike. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a red or speck slam a topwater plug as you “walk the dog”. Also use a scent attractant like mullet sauce to capitalize on every nose bump from weary reds and your hookup ratio will skyrocket.
Another thing that I like to do on all my plugs is change the tail hook to a VMC sure set hook. It has one extended shank on the treble that gives you a better shot at a hookset on those timid trout and reds that tend to short strike. If topwater plugs aren’t working, try using a gold or silver weedless spoon. Throw these as close to the grass as you can and watch the reds come out to play.
If you have any live baits or an artificial shrimp another fun fish to catch is a tripletail. You will find these hanging out under crab pot bouys and other floating objects back in the river. Toss your bait up as close to the bouy as you can and hold on. With the hot water right on the beach, king mackerel are going to be right on the beach with the spanish mackerel that you have been catching. Using a live bait rig made with wire and treble hooks, use a live menhaden or bluefish and slow troll around the inlets and tide line. Just make sure you have plenty of line on your reel because the initial run may take all that you have. You will catch plenty of sharks and bigger spanish mackerel using this same technique.
Capt. Wes Barbour
Island Tackle & Hardware/Island Tackle Charters • 910-458-3049 or 828-719-6000
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