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Fly Fishing for False Albacore Harkers Island & Cape Lookout North Carolina
Fat Alberts, Alberts, Albacore Fly Fishing action for False Albacore around Cape Lookout Bight is all about the bait, baitfish that is. When the forage fish are thick, the Albert action is hot. Water temperature is another big factor as far as fly fishermen are concerned. Until the water cools, the baitfish tend to remain in smaller bunches, and tend to scurry rather ball-up as a means of defense from the marauding schools of False Albacore. There a generally plenty of Albacore in the area by mid-September, but the water is warm, and the False Albacore tend to move very fast from one school of bait to another. When the Albacore do not stay "up on top" for more than a few seconds at a time, it is difficult for fly anglers to get into position to cast a fly into the breaking schools of fish. When dose the action start? By mid-September you can find schools of breaking Albacore just off the beaches. But as a rule these early schools tend to be fast moving, as seldom remain "on top" for more than a few seconds at a time. Fly anglers can catch these early season Alberts, especially if you get out on the water just as the sun rises and again very late in the day. Late September and early October may not the the absolute prime of the Cape Lookout False Albacore season, this is however a good time to enjoy some close in Spanish mackerel fly fishing action. It's also prime time for redfish, both in the shallows of Core Sound and tight to the sand along the ocean front beaches.
Prime False Albacore season for the Cape Lookout Harkers Island is generally from the last week of October through the third week of November; the frequency and severity of cold-fronts can change both how soon the prime fly fishing begins, and how long the season extends. Excellent fly fishing for False Albacore is not unheard of as late as Christmas; although many of the "out of town" guides will depart the area by Thanksgiving. Fly Fishing Gear for False Albacore Ten weight fly rods are the preferred sticks for the Harkers Island fly fishing fleet. Six to eight pound False Albacore are common in the earliest part of the fall run; but, by prime season this is the land of big fish, fifteen to eighteen pound Alberts are regularly hooked. It is difficult to "lift" a larger Albacore out of deep water with a fly rod lighter than a ten weight. Catch-um quick, and get hooked up on the next pod; that's the name of the game during the best of the Albacore season. Saltwater fly reels with disk drags are essential, as is a reel capable of holding a minimum 200 yards plus of backing. With two anglers on board, multiple hook-up are not uncommon. Saltwater taper floating fly lines will suffice for casting into light pods of breaking Albacore; my preference for most situations is a clear intermediate fly line. The intermediate line works well for casting to breaking fish, fishing in a chum line, and for drift fishing (prospect casting when the Albacore refuse to stay on top long enough to get a cast into the school). I you want to be fully prepared, I would suggest having three rods rigged: a floating fly line rigged with a popper or crease fly, an intermediate fly line rigged with an "Alibe Clouser" in a size to match the bait you see fleeing from the Albacore, and a fast sinking line (I like a something about 550 grains) to cast a pinfish imitation into the wake of Trawl boats or gill netters that are culling by-catch.
Harry Hall sefly |
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False Albacore Fly Fishing |
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