We’ve done a lot of Flounder fishing the last couple of weeks, with some pretty good days of fishing.  Most of the Flounder are eating Mullet and Mud minnows on light Carolina rigs.  The Flounder are mixed in size to just under keeper size to a few over five pounds.  If you would rather use artificial bait, I would try a Saltwater Assassin Blurp grub in molting color.  Rig the Blurp on a red or black jig head for best results.

We have found most of the Flounder in the creeks in mixed size but higher numbers.  Fishing the drop of the main channel in the creeks, this is where we have found the most fish.  The bigger Flounder seem to be around the inlets and just off the beach.  There seems to be less action and Flounder but, they are very nice Flounder; in the three the over six pound range.  (The creeks have been more fun for Flounder fishing.)

There are still fair amounts of good ole’ Redfish around, some in the creeks and some in the ocean.  In the creeks and waterway top water plugs and live baits are doing the trick.  We fish top water early in the morning and late afternoon when the sun in low.  The ocean Redfish is eating; live bait and Blurp shrimp and or shad grubs.  Extra scent never hurts when Red fishing!

The Trout are starting to show up around the area.  We’ve caught Trout from right around Wrightsville Beach to down in the Cape Fear River.  Most that we have found are in the creeks and channels running along the drop offs to deeper water.  The trout that we have caught are hitting grubs in colors Chart Diamond, Pump Seed/Chart tail and sliver mullet on red jig heads.  Hard baits getting the luck are Mirrolures redhead silver body and white back white belly. 

As water temps drop the Trout fishing will get better and better. The last couple of seasons have been the best Trout fishing I have ever seen around Wrightsville Beach, it seems to get better every year!  I do a great deal of Trout charters in November, if you would like to go book soon for I will book up fast!

In other fishing news:  I’m proud to announce that myself and Capt. Jeremiah Hieronymus, took second place and First place TWT “largest Redfish” in the  Redfish Action Inshore Classic this last weekend.  We had a great time fishing this well run event and look very forward to fishing more in the feature!  Capt. Lee Willis and the Redfish action crew did a wonderful job running this tournament, my hat comes off to Him and his crew!  I will always recommend this series to anyone how enjoys Red fishing and tournaments.

The Fishing gear we use:

Reds, Trout and Flounder: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy. 20 pound Ugly Braid.

In the Redfish Action tournament I could not have done it with out my: Pflueger Supreme low profile bait caster and All Star Platinum P845MC 7’ rod.  This combo gave me extreme casting distance that truly helped us place in this tournament.  Check one of those out, you won’t be unhappy!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

Wrightsville Beach and
Wilmington NC Fishing Charters

The Redfish have started to show up in and around the local inlets.  We are catching Reds in the 24 to over 32 inch range, some days their over the slot some days their in the slot.  Most of the Reds around the inlets are hitting mullets on Carolina rigs; using heavier egg sinkers.  On some days we have had some luck on Saltwater Assassin Blurp grubs in colors molting and pearl.

When we have been Red fishing around the inlets we are picking up some nice Flounder as well.  The Flounder are in the size range of 2 to some over 5 pounds; a right nice bonus to the day of fishing.  There again the Flounder are hitting mullets on Carolina rigs and scented grubs.  One fish last week went six pounds, one happy little boy that caught that one!  We also have gotten some Flounder in the creeks around Wrightsville as well.

There has been a few Trout starting to show up around.  Most that we have found are in the creeks and channels running along the drop offs to deeper water.  The trout that we have caught are hitting grubs in colors Chart. Diamond and sliver mullet and red jig heads.  Hard baits getting the luck are Mirrolures redhead silver body and green back white belly.  It won’t be long before the trout will move in around southeast NC, I can’t wait.

The Sheephead are still going strong and should to the end of October.  The best fishing lately for the Sheephead has been around bridges, docks and bulk-heads.  Fishing in water from six to fifth-teen feet for Sheephead seems to work the best for us.  We fish mostly using small Carolina rigs, with forty pound mono leader and small but strong live bait hooks.  Baits we are using; fiddler crabs and sand fleas.  Check out the October NC sportsman; I have a very good article on Sheephead fishing in the magazine.

I have recently tried a new product from Bang scent Inc.  It’s called “Texas Tea” and is a spray scent for soft and hard baits.  It is a mixture of a few different fish and shrimp oils, great for Redfish and Flounder fishing.  Give it a try, so far so good for my fishing trips.

Thanks for reading this report, if you would like to go on a guided trip give me a call 910-233-4139.

Fishing gear we use:
Reds, Trout, Flounder and Sheephead: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy.

Captain Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139
Wrightsville Beach NC Fishing Charters

I hope everybody made through Hanna ok.  I’m very glad it was not a major storm, and it looks likes Ike is going to the Gulf.  Good for us in the Carolina; not so good for the Gulf.  Our hopes and preys are with the Gulf States.  Fishing was good until we stopped for the passing of Hanna.  I’m sure it will pick right back up too

The Spanish mackerel have still been biting good to great on most days, with some small keeper kings as well.  Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s.  The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in plan silver and pink flash.  When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick.  The colors that seem to be working are pink, green and blue in sizes seven & fourteen gram.  The Spanish are eating very small bait fish, with this happening I have gone to smaller lures.  This has helped greatly in the good numbers of Spanish we have caught. 

The King mackerel have also showed up this last week, they are not real big but a lot of fun on light tackle!  The kings are also biting the Yo-Zuri’s.  The colors that are working the best have been Pink and Clown.  We are trolling the crystal minnows two to three knots.  The good thing about trolling this Yo-Zuri is you can use light tackle which makes it a lot of fun.

Sheephead are still biting good, we have caught some real nice Sheephead this year.  We’ve had two fish over ten pounds, so much fun on light tackle.  They are so good to eat as well!  The best fishing lately for us has been around bridges, docks and bulk-heads.  Fishing in water from six to fifth-teen feet for Sheephead seems to work the best for us.  We fish mostly using small Carolina rigs, with forty pound mono leader and small but strong live bait hooks.  Baits we are using; fiddler crabs and sand fleas have worked just fine.  Give it a shot, it takes time but you’ll get one; Hold-on”!

The fishing should get better as the water clears up from Hanna’s hit and run.  Get out there and do some fishing, fall fishing should be just around the corner.  Thanks for reading this report, and good luck fishing.  If you would like to go fishing give me call!

Fishing Gear we use:
Sheephead, King and Spanish mackerel: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy

Captain Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

I hope everybody is doing well and catching a few fish! I have got to say I’m glad Fay did not make it up here, but her power was felt up this way. We’ve had some very strong east winds the last couple of days, which has kept me out of the ocean and in the back water areas. Before the blow we did some good ocean fishing for Flounder and Gray trout.

Most of the flounder inshore are mixed in size, but the fish in the ocean are a little better in size. Live bait and grubs are the best bet. Carolina rigs for the live bait and heavy jig heads for the grubs. I prefer bright grubs; Saltwater Assassin’s sea shads in colors chart/diamond and silver mullet work real well.

Another new color from Assassin is “Chicken on a Chain” it looks like a Mud minnow. I think this will be a good color for Flounder on days you can’t find live bait. The body of the Chicken on a chain” is a glow body good for lower light days. Watch out when fishing in the ocean for the flounders; we’ve had some very nice fish eaten by Barracudas just under the boat.

How bout’ those Gray trout, the trout bite has really picked up the last couple of weeks. We are catching most of the Grays the same way we’ve been catching the Flounder; Carolinas rigs and live bait. My favorite live bait for Grays is finger mullet. If you would rather use lures, small jigging spoons and grubs will work just fine. I like to put a shot of scent on my grubs; “Bang’s” shrimp, crab, and Taxes tea are some of my favorites. The Flounder and Trout are holding on near shore live “hard” bottom, wrecks, and ledges.

My charters have had some great early Redfish morning bites. We are fishing mud flats and oyster flats in creeks and along the ICW. Multi fish hook-ups are not uncommon at all! Top water plugs like the Rapala skitter-walk have done very well. Rattle and popping corks with live mullets and little menhaden have been working great! The best rattlin’ corks for me have been the Saltwater Assassin’s “Kwik-cork” this is one of the loudest corks on the market they work!

There are some Bull Reds starting to show up in the ocean on hard bottoms and around the inlets. You never know when you might hook one of these big fish might bite. When we try to catch these Bulls, we use fresh cut or live menhaden. We use fish finder rigs with 11/0 and 12/0 circle hooks, keep your drag tight and the circle hooks will do there job.

Thanks so much for reading this report, if you would like a Fishing charter give me call or drop me a line. Good fishing to ya!

Fishing gear we use;

Bull Reds: Reels Pflueger Contender G15L, Rods Shakespeare Custom “USCB 1166 MH” Penn spinning reels 560L Live Liner with Penn Torque jigging rod 7’ 20 to 50 braids.

Redfish, Grays, and Flounder: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy.

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

The last couple of weeks the fishing has been pretty good just off the beach. The Spanish Mackerel have been biting very good most days and the fish are a really nice grade. Some fish over six pounds, that’s a good pull on light tackle! Early morning seems to be the best bite, but some fish have stayed around all day on some days.

Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s. The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in plan silver and pink flash. When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick. The colors that seem to be working are pink, green and blue in sizes seven & fourteen gram. We have also caught a few very nice Spanish on the fly rod too.

We are starting to catch Flounder pretty good; we are seeing a few fish inshore as well on the near shore reefs and wrecks. Most of the flounder inshore are mixed in size, but the fish in the ocean are a little better in size. Live bait and grubs are the best bet. Carolina rigs for the live bait and heavy jig heads for the grubs. I prefer bright grubs; Saltwater Assassin’s sea shads in colors chart/diamond and silver mullet work real well. Watch out when fishing in the ocean for the flounders; we’ve had some very nice fish eaten by Barracudas just under the boat. It’s not a fun thing!!

I’m still seeing a few Tarpon around the inlets and off the shoals; the Tarpon should stay around till mid September. We fish for Tarpon on the bottom using, live and fresh dead baits like; spots, bluefish and Menhaden. We rig these baits on fish finder rigs, with three to five feet of 80 to 100 pound mono leaders. Circle hooks are the best bet for good hook ups and landings for Tarpon in hook sizes 7/0 to 9/0 depending what hook series you like. We’ve caught some very nice bluefish while Tarpon fishing lately.

The Shark fishing is still going very strong most days. Very nice sharks in the forty to over two hundred pounds are mostly what we are seeing. We’ve been using light tackle and fly rods to catch these powerful sharks. When we use spinning reels we use; 300+ yards of thirty and forty pound Ugly braid super line and a good fast tipped rod. They are a lot of fun on spinning tackle!

Thanks so much for reading this report, if you would like a Fishing charter give me call or drop me a line. Good fishing to ya!

Fishing gear we use;

Tarpon and sharks Reels Pflueger Contender G15L, Rods Shakespeare Custom “USCB 1166 MH” Penn spinning reels 560L Live Liner with Penn Torque jigging rod 7’ 20 to 50 braids.

Spanish and Flounder: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy.

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

My charters have had some great early morning Redfish and Trout bites. We are fishing mud flats and oyster flats in creeks and along the ICW. Multi fish hook-ups are not uncommon at all! Top water plugs like the Rapala skitter-walk have done very well. Rattle and popping corks with live mullets and little menhaden have been working great! The best rattlin’ corks for me have been the Saltwater Assassin’s “Kwik-cork” this is one of the loudest corks on the market; “trust me; try some!”

Another hot weather favorite of mine is the great fighting and great eating Sheephead. If you just started fishing or you have for years, you will love the time and fight it takes to catch one of these fish. The best fishing lately for us has been around bridges, docks and bulk-heads. Fishing in water from six to fifth-teen feet for sheephead seems to work the best for us. We fish mostly using small Carolina rigs, with forty pound mono leader and small but strong live bait hooks. Baits we are using; fiddler crabs and sand fleas have worked just fine. Give it a shot, it takes time but you’ll get one; Hold-on”!

The Spanish mackerel are still picking good most days. Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s. The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in silver, gold and pink flash. When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick. There has been some bigger Spanish around the last couple of weeks; with some fish over five pounds. Always fun on the ultra light or fly rod!

We are still seeing some Tarpon around the inlets and shoals. Live and dead baits on the bottom have had the best luck for getting bites; fresh spots, menhaden and mullet work the best. Shark fishing will be good through the end of October. We’ve had some really nice lemon and black tip sharks already this year and a few on the fly-rod. We mostly are fishing around and just off the local inlets. There also has been some locally good flounder fishing; in the creeks and around the bigger inlets like Carolina and Masonboro inlets.

Thanks so much for reading this report, if you would like a Fishing charter give me call or drop me a line. Good fishing to ya!

Fishing gear we use;

Tarpon and sharks Reels Pflueger Contender G15L, Rods Shakespeare Custom “USCB 1166 MH” Penn spinning reels 560L Live Liner with Penn Torque jigging rod 7’ 20 to 50 braids.

Reds, Spanish and Sheephead: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy.

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

The summer trend of local fishing is really starting to show.  One of my favorites has rally started to show this last week; the always fun Tarpon!  I have only Tarpon fished once; last week.  We saw a few fish and had a strike, and a jump but no hook up “that’s Tarpon fishing for ya”.  Always good to see them around the boat; gets my blood pressure up every time! 

We fish for Tarpon on the bottom using, live and fresh dead baits like; spots, bluefish and Menhaden.  Rigging these baits on fish finder rigs, with three to five feet of 80 to 100 pound mono leaders.  Circle hooks are the best bet for good hook ups and landings for Tarpon in hook sizes 7/0 to 9/0 depending what hook series you like.  I have also had a fair share of Tarpon on my kite rig with live baits like greenies and menhaden.  Nothing like seeing a Tarpon hit kite baits! 

When the Tarpon start to show up, the sharks are already here!  I’m not talking about one to three footers; I’m talking about four to seven plus footers, running fifty to two hundred pounds; on light tackle and fly rods.  Don’t knock it til you have tried it!  It’s a lot of fun most of the sharks come right up to the boat and take the bait or fly.  We catch Lemon, Dusky, and Black tips and a few Hammerheads from time to time as well. 

Best baits for the near shore sharks are, fresh and live Menhaden.  When we use bait to catch the sharks we use spinning reels, with 300+ yards of thirty and forty pound Ugly braid super line.  Rigging the baits; eight feet of 80 pound mono leader; some will wind on to the reel. Connected to a fifty pound swivel, then to Two to three foot of #9 SS wire and a 8/0 or 9/0 off set J hook.  If you prefer Fly fishing, I like Striped bass flies in Menhaden patterns with 4/0 and 5/0 hook sizes.  We use ten to twelve weight set ups; have lots of extra flies with you! 

The Redfish are still picking good, you just have got to get out there and find some fish that have not been fished too much.  Live, fresh cut bait and scented grubs have been the ticket.  Spanish mackerel are biting as well, casting and trolling are best bets for these speedsters.  Don’t forget that great hot summer fish the Sheephead, the hotter the better for those Sheephead.  One-armed bandits seem to be one of best baits for me.  Fish them around docks and bridges. 

Thanks so much for reading this report, get out there and try some of these tactics you’ll catch’em! 

Fishing gear we use;Tarpon: Reels Pflueger Contender G15L, Rods Shakespeare Custom “USCB 1166 MH” 

Sharks: Same as Tarpon and Penn spinning reels 560L Live Liner with Penn Torque jigging rod 7’ 20 to 50 braid. 

Reds, Spanish and Sheephead: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning in sizes 6035 and 6040. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy. 

Good Luck, 

Captain Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139  

Hello Folks, I hope everybody is enjoying the summer so far.  Fishing for the most part has been very good this year for me and my charters.  We are starting to see more people on the water, in the last couple of weeks. Which I guess is a good thing, “tip”: if you want to beat the crowds; go earlier!  To the fishing report!

The Redfish have really picked up in the last two weeks.  My charters have had four fish on slow days to over fifth teen fish on better days.  Live, fresh cut bait and scented grubs have been the ticket.  You just have got to find the Reds to catch them.  Fish the live and cut bait on Carolina rigs.  Saltwater Assassin (Blurps) in colors good penny and molting seem to work well for the scented grubs.  Most of the reds are in the water way on docks and in creek mouths. 

Flounder fishing has also picked up too.  We are getting some nice fish around Carolina beach and Masonboro inlets.  Most of the flounders are hitting live bait, mullets and little menhaden. We are fishing the live bait on Carolina rigs, but using a little heavier egg sinker for the strong currents in these areas.  Don’t forget to take your time when Flounder fishing, it takes time to catch a door mat!  We have caught some smaller; but keeper flounder in some of the creeks using grubs.    

Some Sheephead and black drum are biting around docks and bulkheads.  There has been a few very nice black drum caught lately, some fish over twenty pounds reported “that’s a good pull”!  These fish are hitting fiddler crabs, live shrimp and fresh shrimp.  The rigs we are using are small Carolina rigs with small very strong hooks.  Sheephead and smaller black drum make great table fare. 

The Spanish mackerel are still picking good most days.  Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s.  The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in silver and pink flash.  When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this report.  Have a great 4^th of July, get out there on the water and have good time.  Just be careful of all that boat traffic!  Fishing gear used: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning reels 6035 and 6040 size.  Rods: Ugly stick lite’s 7’ med and med hvy action.  Line Ugly braid 20# and 30#

Captain Jot Owens

910-233-4139

www.captainjot.com 

Well Folks, the temps are up, the gas prices are up, but thank God the fishing is up too! I don’t know what to tell ya about the gas prices, but one thing you can do is; slow down a little bit. The boat that is, you do need to keep going fishing though! Ok enough about gas, let’s talk fishing!

The Spanish mackerel are still going strong; we have caught 30 to 40 plus Spanish on most of our charters in the last couple of weeks. I’m happy to congratulate my charter on June the 7th for taking 3rd place in the Seapath Marina Spanish mackerel tournament.

Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s. The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in plan silver and pink flash. When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick. The colors that seem to be working are pink and green in sizes seven & fourteen gram.

Cobia have really started to show around the shoals, inlets and near shore reefs. My charters have caught four and released two in the last two weeks, the biggest being 61 pounds. We are catching most of the Cobia on small bluefish and grass shad “greenies”. We are fishing these baits on the bottom, light lining and balloon fishing. Cobia fishing takes time; they don’t just jump in the boat. If you want to catch a nice Cobia put in some nice time, you’ll get one sooner or later!

We are seeing a few King mackerel starting to show up; most of the kings are just off the beach to twenty miles or so. Slow trolling live or dead bait or fast trolling spoons and witches with strips seems to be working. Most of the kings are on live bottom and ledges with bait fish holding close by. There are some Mahi as well mixed in with the kings in some of the areas too. A real nice near shore treat the ole Mahi!

Thanks for taking the time to read this report. Get out there and go fishing, don’t worry so much about the gas prices. Just slow down a bit and have a good time on the water! Go fishing to ya always!

Fishing gear used: Fishing gear used: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning reels 6035 and 6040 size. Rods: Ugly stick lite’s 7’ med and med hvy action. *Cobia Rigs: Pflueger Contender G15L reels and Ugly Stick Custom’s # USCB 1166 MH Great Cobia and Tarpon Rod! 30 pound Cajun lightin’ line.

Capt. Jot Owens

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

The Spanish mackerel have still been biting good to great on most days.  Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s.  The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in plan silver and pink flash.  When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick.  The colors that seem to be working are pink, green and blue in sizes seven & fourteen gram. (Hint): keep it to smaller lures when the weather gets hot!

My charters are starting to catch a few Flounder; we are seeing a few fish inshore as well on the near shore reefs and wrecks.  Most of the flounder inshore are mixed in size, but the fish in the ocean are a little better in size.  Live bait and grubs are the best bet.  Carolina rigs for the live bait and heavy jig heads for the grubs.  I prefer bright grubs; Saltwater Assassin’s sea shads in colors chart/diamond and silver mullet work real well.  I’m starting to see a few Mullet and Menhaden around the creeks and small channels.

I’ve seen a few Cobia around the inlets and near shore reefs.  Live bait fishing is the best bet for these great fighting fish.  Fishing live baits on top as well as on the bottom will get you the best chance at catching a Cobia.  I prefer bluefish, mullet and menhaden for bait; what ever is easier to get.  To catch a Cobia you’ve got to put your time in, sometimes you catch one right away most of the time you don’t.  That’s why they call it fishing!

We are seeing a few more Redfish around, most fish have been in the water way and around some of the inlets. As more live bait shows up, more Reds will come out of the ocean and in to the sounds.  This is starting to happen, the fishing should pick up in the next few weeks. The Reds we are getting are hitting fresh cut, bait live and scented Saltwater Assassin (Blurp) grubs in colors; drunk monkey and molting.

Thanks for taking the time to read this report. Get out on the water and take a kid fishing!  Don’t forget to take Dad fishing soon; father’s day is just around the corner!  Good fishing to ya!

Fishing gear used: Reels Pflueger Medalist spinning reels 6035 and 6040 size.  Rods: Ugly stick lite’s 7’ med and med hvy action.  All Stars’ Coastal inshore series Trout/Redfish Special 7’ code# CC TR2-S Great inshore rod!!  Line Ugly braid 20# and 30#   www.allstarrods.com 

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139