Headhunter Outdoors Report

Hi folks, Capt. David here with this weeks outdoors report. I heard that one of my readers expressed concern that the fish pictured in last weeks column was illegal! Folks let me assure you that the fish in question was over the slot limit and was released unharmed along with several others that were in the same size range. I practice catch and release and that fish has been caught several times in the last few weeks. Folks, my reputation is too valuable to risk a run-in with the Marine Fisheries guys and get a ticket. Not to mention that I can go back the next day with a charter and catch the same fish. Catching an oversize fish ain’t illegal, keeping it is! 90% of the fish caught on my charters are released alive and unharmed!
Now on to other things. The fish are biting everywhere and are hungry. With fall just around the corner, the fish are getting fattened up for the winter. Reds are all along the waterway and Flounder are around the docks in Banks channel and along the waterway. Speckled Trout are hanging around too. Right now Mullet minnows and peanut pogeys are what they are biting and look for some vicious hits too. Topwater baits are working well for both Reds and Specks back in the bays around Permuda Island and Everett bay. Remember dark bait for cloudy days and light colored baits on sunny days. I’ve heard the Specks are still around the swing bridge and some bigger Flounder are laid up under the bridge as well.
Offshore things are still jumping but be careful this week with that storm brewing down south of up cause it’s going to kick up a swell. Kings from the beach on out along with Spanish. Sailfish are still within a couple of miles and the bottom fishing is hot on the ledges and reefs with Black bass and snapper. Grouper are liable to hit your bait as well. Just be careful if you go out this week!
On the other side, Dove season opened on Labor day and I went to stone creek game land and had a great time shooting birds. Wildlife Resources and Quail forever cooperated and planted a couple of fields and birds were flying. I gave those rascals plenty of warning shots too! It’s a darned good thing I can’t shoot as good as I think I can! I saw a couple of guys with their kids out there too. That makes me feel good when I see that. A wise man said, Take your kids huntin’ and you won’t be huntin’ your kids! Sounds good to me folks! Well thats it for this week so remember to take a kid with you and be safe!

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Hi folks, Capt. David here with the scoop on whats biting! The sound is full of Redfish and they are all along the waterway in 1-3 feet of water. Here is a tip for finding a school of Reds. Watch the baitfish schools as they move down the edge and look for swirls or bait jumping in the air. I have also found fish by looking at where the baitfish are swinging out away from the bank as if they are circling around something. A fat 4 inch Pogey or Finger mullet on a Carolina rig or float rig will do the trick. Lots of the time I find Flounder and Speckled trout this way too. Think about it folks they all eat the same thing and like the same kinds of areas to feed. Points, docks, creek mouths, and oyster bars along the waterway are prime spots to look. Be easy and quiet when you move into a spot to keep from spooking any fish present. If they are there you should know in less than 30 minutes. No fish = Move to another spot. The spots should start to run before too much longer and it will be time to fill the freezer with fish.
 The surf is giving up a little bit of everything now and the bite is only going to get hotter as fall comes. The piers are catching a mixed bag as well. After dark seem to be the best time in the surf and on the piers. Offshore, Kings and Spanish are from the beach on out. Black sea bass are on the close in ledges and reefs. Flounder are a possible catch as well! Mahi are still around and some are still in the area. Folks right now it doesn’t matter what your favorite fish is, grab the wife and kids and go catchin’.
 Folks, in this high stress,fast paced, high tech era we live in now, take time to unwind and enjoy the simple things. Quality time in the outdoors with family and friends is time well spent. Whether you hunt and fish or not, the outdoors is a grand and wonderous thing meant to be enjoyed by everyone so get off your duff and take a kid fishing. Capt. David

Capt. David
Headhunter Outdoors
(910) 329-0818

Casey Shaw of Hampstead with a 301/2 inch Redfish caught with Capt. David