The fishing here on the coast has been nothing short of spectacular lately. It has been one of the most consistent years for big Drum (Redfish) ,with plenty of 40″ fish caught and many pushing 50″. The Striped Bass in the Cape Fear River have started to make an appearance, slot-sized Reds are plentiful, and quality Speckled Trout are beginning to show up in good numbers. We just weighed a catch of flounder at Intracoastal Angler that included fish weighing 7.6lb, 5.6lb, and two that were 4lbs! There was even a first on the Maverick, a mixed doubleheader (both fish on at the same time) with a 7lb Striper and a 26″ Red that ate a topwater! If you have the time, come on down and get in on the action. Thanks for reading and hope to see you on the water! Over slot Redfish Topwater Trout Early Limit Doubleheader! Capt....
Read MoreFall Feels Fishy
Fishing is full of surprises, and I’m sure the anticipation of an unexpected or large catch is one of the things that keep most fisherman focused. Last Friday was forecast to be extremely windy and the ‘hide from the wind’ plan was in order. I knew the wind would create challenges in the Cape Fear River that day, but we manged a handful of bites from Redfish and Stripers and were able to deal with the gusty winds. Towards the end of the trip Stan, one of my anglers, hooked a good fish and as the length of the battle progressed and a few powerful boils rose to the surface when the unidentified fish surged away from the boat, we all agreed that it was sizeable. When we all finally got a look at the big Redfish just under the surface, I wondered how we even got to see her at all because Stan was using his 3000 sized reel with 15#braid and a light rod, but with good angling, plenty of luck and a shove into the net, we managed to boat a 43″ Redfish! The largest on the ‘ Circle H’ to date! A really welcome surprise! Lots of action everywhere with Reds, Flounder and Stripers and the Speckled Trout have made appearances and should be arriving in numbers as soon as the water cools. So get on the water if you can the fishing should only get better and you never know when you will be pleasantly surprised! Thanks and tight lines 43″ River Red Tagged Striper Mixed Double Fun , Jon...
Read MoreHappy Tailing Redfish
Recent high tides have given the Reds plenty of water to get up shallow in the grass and mudflats and ‘tail’, happily rooting out Fiddler Crabs in their burrows. We have had consistent action casting the fly rod to cruising and tailing fish and they have readily attacked Caribou Hair Sliders as well as small crab imitations. Making for some really exciting fly fishing and up close bites! There are some great tides happening in the coming months and the action can be hot right on through November. The Redfish and Speckled Trout have also been more than willing to eat topwater plugs. With catches in the double digits and schools of hundreds of fish it’s time to get on the...
Read MoreSummer Fun with Circle H
Great fishing lately! We’ve caught Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Ladyfish, and plenty of Sharks the last couple of weeks. The Reds have been hitting topwater plugs and soft plastics, as well as bait. The tailing Reds we had this afternoon were working really shallow. We had some great bites and some pretty shots with the fly rod, even in the challenging windy, drizzly conditions. There have been a couple of Inshore Slams(Flounder, Trout, and Red in the same day) and even two ‘First Redfish Catches’! Come on down, the rain is at least keeping the heat at bay and the fishing is...
Read MoreFrisky Shallow Reds
It’s always fun to find some shallow water Redfish that are “Fly Friendly”, and ready to eat! We’ve had some great fishing as of late, as the Reds are cruising the flats and crashing bait on the surface making for some really exciting sight-fishing! Topwater Plugs and Jekbaits have been the baits of choice and they have eaten most of the flies we have shown them. The weather has been cooperating a bit better, the inside waters are clearing up and with so much bait around the fishing should only get better. Sneaky Red Topwater Tag View from the Office Father Son...
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