Windy days, no problem!
July 11, 2024 Wanchese 1 photo & 1 video
Black Drum
Black Drum
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout

Trip Summary

The outer Banks of NC have a great variety of species that blend between inshore and coastal areas. The tides influence the direction of bait fish and will often times trigger the predators to bite at certain times of the day. Black drum and speckled trout are amongst such fish that are tidal sensitive. Black drum, like drop offs such as channels or ledges and will often time find bait fish that are tucked behind a structure to escape the current. Spanish mackerel will also be found in the inlets where a tidal color changes can be found. This happens when the outflowing dirtier water from inside the sound flows out to sea and collides with cleaner ocean water. Temperature changes are typically found at such locations as well. In certain windy conditions, although there may be a little more chop to the conditions, fish can be more aggressive in the hunt for food. Wanchese, NC offers a variety of areas where you can escape choppy sea conditions but still see action on light tackle for black drum and trout. The travel from our marina is short and the boat is quick enough to get there and back when you need it. Another type of fish we are catching are called "ribbon fish"! They live up to their name with a long 3ft length body with an extremely shiny skin color (imagine a chrome plated fish). They mix together and are caught either by trolling or drifting small natural baits. They are very tasty as well! For our clients who are familiar with salmon fishing in the great lakes, you'll find a similar tactic used for Spanish mackerel and ribbon fish. Deep planers are set at depths of 30ft and a small metallic spoon is trolled at slow speeds. This is all done within 1/4 of a mile from the coast line. We fish parallel to the shoreline and don't need to venture out much further than that to catch fish.
Matthew Fann
Wanchese, North Carolina, United States
Fish Advisor - Wanchese thumbnail
Wanchese has a fish with your name on it, so let Capt. Matt and the Fish Advisor help you catch it! With Captain Matt at the helm, you’re in knowledgeable and experienced hands. These waters are home to, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel (Kingfish), A...

Other reports from this captain

Sound fishing in the bay!
Sound fishing in the bay!
September 16, 2024
As the fall weather approaches and the winds remain steady, we've turned our aim towards calmer waters and with that, fishing in the sound. The pamlico sound, Roanoke sound and surrounding area offer much in the way of inside fishing. With a diverse array of species that call this place home or migrate through. The sound remains calmer due to being landlocked and this can be a life saver for people wanting to get out on the water but but have to battle motion sickness. While in the sound, we encounter bluefish, speckled trout and drum, just to name a few. Recent windy weather and an increase of shrimp have other bait fish have provoked action in the way of blue fish and mackerel. These shrimp are basically blown or pushed with the tide and will end up in shallow waters where they have no place to hide. There wait the game fish! We've recently spent a decent amount of time trolling the deeper channels that run for miles through the sound. Mostly, these channels run between 10 and 15 ft deep and that allows us to use small planers with metal spoons or other lures. Spanish mackerel are mostly caught this way. Anchoring can also prove productive if done in the right place. We will usually tuck between islands to get out of the wind where we can anchor up in the deep water with the anchor and drift up to the slope of one of the islands. This is a great way to find fish on the hunt! Join soon and I'll show you what I'm talking about! Capt Matt Fann
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