06/24/20 Fishing Report

Summer is here boys and girls, and the fish are FIRED up! Water temps are warming up and the fish are feeding. Now, we have had just a wee bit of rain the last bit, and by that I mean it’s turned this town into the rain forest. So, that being said, the water is a little off color but should “clear back up” to it’s normal summer color.

We’ve been having some great luck on both ends of the tide cycle. High tide has had fish pushed up in the grass tailing when it’s not even a flood tide. They’re jumping in and feeding as hard as they can. On the other side of the spectrum, low tide has produced some great belly crawler action on the mud flats around here. Now they are a bit more skittish and a little spooky during that time, so move with caution and take your time.

As many of you know, I’m not your “fly for show, bait for dough” guy. I am throwing flies or artificial’s 100% of the time. Darker colors flies have been working well, the blurple combo (black and purple") or even a peanut butter jelly time (tan/brown with some purple) have been the name of the game for me. Low tide fish I’m throwing some smaller, more compact low tide critters with rubber legs. For spinning gear, nothing is beating the topwater bite early in the day or later in the evening. These fish are HAMMERING skitterwalks right now. The red/white combo or the bone color have been great so far, but don't be afraid to throw a different color.

Flood tides are producing some pretty tailing action, that will just be getting better as more and more fiddler crabs dare to venture out and become dinner time for a redfish. We’ve been seeing some great sized fish in the grass, as well as a few black drum and sheepshead already this year.

Speaking of sheepshead, the Swansboro bridges and the Emerald Isle bridge have been producing some great sheepy action. Live fiddler crabs have worked best around the pilings, set the hook on ANYTHING you feel!