Headhunter Outdoors Report

Hi folks,Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. The fish are biting folks. Now some of you might be thinking, Capt. David you are nuts! I went surf fishing the other day and didn’t catch anything. Here’s a simple explanation folks, how many people are in the water and the surf temps are in the mid 80’s! The best thing I can suggest is to fish at night. No crowds and the beach is quiet.
Well the sound is hopping with the Reds now and they are hitting everything! Topwater baits,live bait,jigs,all you have to do is find a school of fish and that ain’t hard folks! Look around creek mouths and along points. Thats also a good place to find a nice Flounder as well. Up in the river the Speckled Trout are still biting and Reds are everywhere.
Offshore it’s happening folks,from the beach on out anything is possible right now. Sails,Kings,Mahi.Tarpon and cobia are on the reefs and ledges. Bottom fishing is good with lots of Black sea bass and Snappers.Grouper are biting as well. Folks you need to go fishing! I can’t tell you how much good it will do your spirit! Get the wife and kids and go fishing while you can.
Now on to a little bit of instruction on rigs and baits. Now I ain’t going to pretend that I know everything but I will share what works for me. Two basic rigs will catch just about everything that swims in the surf or sound. Number 1 is the 2 hook bottom rig. With a 2-3 ounce sinker and 2 hooks above it at diffent depths it is a great rig for the surf or sound. According to what you are after,you can bait up with cut bait or live bait. Cut bait works best for Pompano,Spots,Grunts and Mullet. Live minnows will tempt Red drum,Flounder,Trout and Blues. All the bait and tackle shops around can help you get what you need.
Rig number 2 is my favorite. The good old Carolina rig. This rig consists of a weight sliding on the main line above a swivel, then about an 18-24 inch leader of 30 lb test mono,with a circle hook on the end. Put a fat Finger mullet or pogey on it and throw it next to the bank or dock and hang on! Fish it in a foot or two of water because thats where the fish are folks. I’m catching 30 inch Redfish in 12 inches of water,No bull! Right now the bait is on the bank and thats where the big fish are too.
Well thats it for this week so be safe and take a kid fishing.

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

30 inch Redfish caught by Casey Shaw on a recent trip. Capt. David holding his fish for the photo. (pictured above)

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. I really need to come up with a new opening line, don’t I? Well anyway lets talk fishing. Folks the Reds are everywhere and if you ain’t catching them you must be fishing to deep. This time of the year the schools of baitfish are up in the shallow water. If you want to know how shallow, Knee deep or less! The Flounder are right up on the bank too! Folks a Finger Mullet on a Carolina rig can’t be beat right now. Throw that sucker up next just about any grass bank and you wait for the bite. Heck I even caught a 4 lb Speckled Trout out of a school of big Redfish last week. If it swims and is in the water,it’s biting now. Bonnethead sharks are around as well as the everpresent Bluefish. Some of the Blues are huge too.
The surf and piers are giving up everything for Pompano to Kings and Tarpon. Cobia are on the reefs and are suckers for a live crab. Spanish are thick and the artificial reefs and ledges are full of Black Bass. Farther out the sailfish are showing up and some Mahi are 10-15 miles out. The weather and this dad-blamed wind is screwing up everyones fun so remember to check the weather forecast and the marine forecast before you go out the inlet. Don’t let someone else talk you into going against your better judgement. Just because the boat can take it don’t mean hanging on to it with both hands and feet is fun. Stupidity will kill you folks! Remember the Master of the vessel is responsible for everything. Don’t meet the Coast Guard the wrong way and wind up on the evening news! Well thats it for this week,so remember to be safe and come back alive. Oh before I forget, Take a kid fishing ya’ll!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818