Headed to MHC

[Spangle]

Hey guys I'm going to MHC the first week of June for the first time. Can anyone help me out with some good spots to fish for Reds and Specks.
Thanks, Spangle

[Dave]

Not a die-hard fisherman of reds or trout Spangle, but if you are, you will find, in and around MHC, there are plenty of marshes, large and small creeks, channels, and flats where you can find them if you know where and why you're looking in any particular spot at a particular time of day, given the variety of water conditions (tide phase, water temp and clarity) at the time you are fishing. A few general areas to explore would be the haystacks, middle marshes, north river, lower newport river, and core creek. Best preliminary scouting you can do is pull up Google Earth and look at the MHC areas (waterways and topography) to get a good feel of where the best looking places might be to search out these two species.

I wish I could be more help but I'd be lying if I told you to go to this spot or that spot and you will catch a redfish or trout... even the guys that catch 'em regularly seem to move around, cover a lot of water, and try a variety of baits and presentation techniques, in search of these inshore species. To find out where these areas are located, you can do a search in this forum using the key words, "haystacks", "middle marshes", etc. If you need any additional help finding any of the areas, just post up and I'll try and help you pin 'em down.

Dave

[wjsmith82]

Hey Allen, Try Haystack, Middle Marsh and the Cape Lookout Rock Jetty as Sgt. Dave recommended. If you fish this area often, join Crystal Coast Chapter (CCC of CSO). Sgt. Dave is the Man!

If available, try live shrimp under a float. Also, a red 3/8 oz jig head with either Gulp shrimp or frozen shrimp. I caught a 14" red last weekend on Gulp in the Core Creek.

When are you heading to MHC?

Bill

[Dave]

Thanks for the kind words Bill. I should have introduced Spangle as our newest member of the CCC of CSO. He joined both the Cape Fear and Crystal Coast Chapters a few days ago.

Spangle, ordinarily, I'd invite you out for a tour of the area while you are visiting for the first time but unfortunately (for reasons beyond my control) I won't be able to get out on the water for a few weeks going forward. If you will be down this week however, I'd be glad to meet with you and we can scour over a map of the area and talk about some of my favorite places to fish here on the crystal coast.... this could take a while so if you want to meet, you best plan on at least a couple of hours. ;D Send me a PM, email, or call me - my phone number is on the welcome aboard letter I sent you the other day. *Cheers*

Dave

[Capt. Mick]

Too bad Spangle I will be in Morehead from the 13th of June through the 21st at our home at the Haystacks and would be glad to show you around. The Wilmington area was hot this week end. We caught our limit of kings in an hour and a half. All on pink Pirate Plugs.

[Eel]

Hey guys I'm going to MHC the first week of June for the first time. Can anyone help me out with some good spots to fish for Reds and Specks.
Thanks, Spangle

Lots of redfish around MHC right now. Pick any marsh bank in the area, should be holding reds. A few schools of 100 fish here and there for sight fishing, but they are breaking up and scattering into their summer pattern and blindcasting (marsh banks, oyster rocks, ambush points) is becoming more productive. They're slamming topwaters and hitting spinnerbaits, gulps, suspending hardbaits. Just about anything you throw at them.

Specks so far have been few and far between. But now that the spawn is kicking into gear, the bite should definitely improve. Most of the specks will come from the creekmouths. The bigger specks will be roaming the flats at high tide, mixed in with the reds. As the water and the air temps heat up, night fishing will become more productive for the speckled fish.

[Spangle]

Hey guys thanks for the info. I did not have internet service in MHC so I'm just now getting the scoop. I did fish the Haystacks on Monday but no luck on the reds, but we did catch a few flounder. I'm just learning how to fish for reds and what I need to be looking for and I have to say Eel it looks like you have them figured out. Most of my trip was spent off shore and at Cape Lookout (what an awesome place), Wednesday we had a good day for Dolphin 18 all gaffers and one small tuna. Thanks again for all the advice, I hope to making many more trips to MHC.

Spangle

[Whatever]

Glad you enjoy your self at the crystal coast. That is sure one awsome fishing area...*018*Look foward to seen you in the Cape Fear soon..*Cheers*