Eastern Carolina to Core Sound

 

Memorial Day is almost upon us and June is sparkling in the corner of another full moon.

It’s a sure bet summer is awaking our Carolina coastal rivers, creeks and estuaries. Cool crisp mornings and nights have exited, and have been replaced by summer's heat and humidity.  The sun spends more time blazing above us than sleeping below. There are many days when I wish I had a pocket full of clouds to cast overhead. Even with this climate change each summer day on the water has its blessings. Start your fishing earlier or plan your piscatorial retreats for after dark, or during cloudy periods to avoid the heat, but the fishing's still great and it's the catching that varies.

With summer comes rising water temperatures in our backwaters and ocean. This stimulates tarpon and drum activity. These fish  have a high tolerance to freshwater. You can find them hanging near run off areas, often feeding after and during heavy summer rains. Creeks, canals, and slews connecting are good places to search for  these critters.

Early summer is often dry and hot. This drops our water levels;  a benefit to anglers wanting to sight cast to redfish and even black drum. Logic tells us, less water, less areas for the fish to hide and feed along the shallow flats. Sandbars, oyster beds and grass flats are more exposed and so are the fish.

Our speckled and gray trout fishery continues to improve along the the west side of Core Sound.

You'll also find Cobia sneaking into the Core and Pamlico Sounds in search of wary mullet. With increasing water temperatures look for them to be feeding early and late along the edges of flats in two to five feet of water; under structures such docks, and bridges; and near grass shorelines.  I prefer using plastic body jigs and soft baits to catch trout, but I can’t denied that pig fish are the top summer bait for these spotted beauties. Handling these fish with care is important for their survival. Try to avoid touching trout you’re going to release by using a dehooking device or a wet towel.  Always wet your hands first prior to handling a fish.  Use a net if you must, but as long as you turn your fish upside down they will go right to sleep and are easily dehooked, pictured and released.

It’s funny how fishing helps put our lives into a more understandable perspective. We get up early. Our minds are clear. We enjoy watching the sun rise and the day begin. Everyday Mother Nature provides a new seascape, new challenges and blessings we all need to share. Til nextime...please don't teach your trash to swim.  From the most beautiful place on earth - in Alliance, North Carolina - Capt. Doug Sinclair 252-745-3373.