Catching Something bigger that Mullet

[fishin4wd_]

Hello,

I am an avid freshwater fisherman from Indiana. Planning to be in Duck, NC next week for a family vacation. We came a few years ago and had a great time fishing from shore. We caught Mullets and small Blues and more Skate's than we cared to in the day, and a couple of small sharks at night.

We got the advice from the guy at the bait store. He told us to use blood worms and cast just past where the waves break. (Bait stores in the area including this guy are apparently proud of these things! $$$)

I am curious if there are other baits to try?
I did catch one bigger blue (what a tough fighting fish!) by chopping up one of the mullets and casting out as far as I could. Was that a fluke, or was I on to something. Every other time I tried this method resulted in a Skate or Stingray.

Although we were successful enough to have a fish fry on the first night of vacation, I was hoping to catch some bigger fish this year and maybe some different kinds. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Bad Tater]

Honestly, if you want to increase your chances of catching something bigger you've got to go south... way south. Head to buxton if you can.

You were on to something with the cutbait. Blues love it expecially when fresh. Skates love it too, and do not care if it's fresh or rotton. As long as the water is cold, there will be skates. That is just a fact of life. But using fresh cutbait will always increase your chances of catching something bigger. (ie drum, blues, maybe a lost striper)

If you want bigger, do not fool with the bloodworms in duck. The method suggested to you is a good one... for mullet, spot, and croaker.

Only in a few places where big fish eat bloods, but normally they are the bait of choice for pan fish.

[Capt. Kim CG Ret]

A lot closer and you can fish the Avalon or Nags head piers. If there are any drum, you will know it because the ends will be full. You can catch some bigger stuff in the surf, but the water is still awfully cold for this time of the year. I'd try fresh cut bait for the bigger stuff. Instead of wasting money on bloodworms, I'd suggest trying Fishbites in bloodworm and the chartreuse shrimp flavor. Lots of nice sized fish will bite on them.

Good luck.

[fishin4wd_]

Thanks for the tips! Good stuff to know. I think I will try a trip to Nags since 140 miles isn't my idea of relaxing on vacation.

I will definitely try the plastic baits too!

What about where to fish?

Is there structure or something visual I can key off, or is any place just as good as the other. (From shore that is, not a Peir)

Also, does casting only to where the waves break makes sense? (That's where we got our numbers last time.)

Thanks Soooooooo much.

[Capt. Kim CG Ret]

One of the best holes around is north of what's left of the old Kitty Hawk pier. I have no idea how to get there since they started construction on the newest OBX abomination. Don't know if there is anyplace in Southern Shores where you can park and hop the dunes. Maybe park in the little strip shopping center and walk outside the constuction area and then north on the beach. Lots of grays and specks come out of that hole. (If you don't catch any fish and like Eastern NC barbecue, High Cotton is the place to go.)

Just walk the beach at low tide with rod in hand and observe the sloughs and cuts in the bars. Drag your jig heads tipped with almost any shade and style of green/chartreuse paddle tail through the wash real slow and you will be surprised what will bite. Come back at night with a Mirrolure 52MR Nightstalker and you should have a ball.

Fish the sloughs with lures and jig heads and soak bait on the inside edges of the cuts.

If the water warms even slightly, you should have some fun and some good eating.

[fishin4wd_]

Well, thanks a lot guys. My hunt for sharks ended on a rainy day at the Aquarium in Roanoke Island. My three year old seemed just as happy to have the teeth behind the glass.

Despite having to pay $7 to see someone else's shark, the fishing venture was not a bust.

We caught quite a few nice blue fish during the day, and one nice (guessing 10#) Stripper fishing for sharks at night. That fish made the whole thing worth it.

Anyways, thanks for the help!