Fishing Reports
2014

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Captain Mike Jackson
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"WHO'S READY FOR MORE PAIN"

  



Fishing Report Gulf Stream 01-02-2015

I had Sean in town from Tennessee for a gulf stream trip. He had never fished saltwater before and what a great day. The winds had switched from the south and it was cloudy most of the day. We start to the south in 200 feet of water. I put out the trolling spread and the 1st trip over the ledge the short rods started screaming and Sean landed his 1st wahoo a 45 lber. We had a few more wahoo strikes but nothing hooked up. Moved our way to the north and had a couple of Albies. Then the short rod got hit 5 times before hooking up to another 50 lb hoo. Made a turn and we had doubles on but they both threw the hooks. The trolling slowed during the early afternoon sop we decided to try jigging. It didn't take Sean long to get the hang of it and he landed a nice 25 lb African Pompano. Then he hooked something small and a 300 lb Sandbar shark ate it and he fought it all the way to the boat. We started trolling to end the day and had multiple hook ups again. Sean landed the largest fish of the day and while we were taking pictures we had another double header but again both of them threw the hooks. We ended the day with a nice Blackfin and headed for the barn. A pretty good day for Sean's 1st trip ever in the ocean.

 

 




Fishing Report 01-01-2015


I had Andrew and Lourdes come down from NY for the new year. Lourdes came down with a bug at the last minute and was unable to fish. We headed off shore in flat seas and started in 140 feet. Andrew caught a nice 20 lb scamp but of course the season was closed and it was released. Also had a small strawberry. Moved out to 200 feet but there was zero current and the fish did not want to eat jigs. Worked around for a couple hours and decide to move to the deep. I put out a couple trolling rods while we were moving and one started screaming drag after about 30 seconds. Andrew landed a fat 50 lb Wahoo to start the 2015 season. We moved around the rest of the day and found some small AJs and Almocos. It was tough jig fishing due to the lack of current but had a great day.

   


Fishing Report 12-27-2014 Deep Jigging

I had Anthony from Hanta Rods and Lures come down with family (5 teenagers) for a day of deep jigging. The weather was perfect with flat seas all days. Started up to the north trying to avoid the sharks. We had great action with lots small AJs, Almacos, Bonita, Rudder fish and some nice Blackfin. The sharks eventually found us by the young anglers enjoyed catching them also. At the end of the day while fighting a shark Anthony saw a large splash a couple hundred yards from the boat. Then we watched a school of large Bluefin crash baits on top. We ran over to the area but they disappeared before we got there. David also caught his 1st African the day before

 

 

 


Fishing Report Gulf Stream 11-5-2014


I had Larry and William for a gulf stream trip running a 2 boat trip with Captain Rick with a local group of guys.. We started off trolling in 240 feet looking for Black fin tuna and Wahoo. It was very slow in the morning with a strong southern current everyone was complaining on the radio. We did have a couple Albies but no tuna. Moved in to shallower water and had a couple more short strikes then the short road started screaming. William did a great job on his 1st Wahoo a fat 40 lber. Continued to troll but only a few more short strikes. Started jigging for Jacks and tuna. The fishing was outstanding but the sharks were worse. You could hook a fish every drop and it would last 30 seconds before the sharks would take it. Finished trolling at the end of the day and had a triple header of Albies.

     




Fishing Report Deep Jigging 10-25-2014

I had Frank and Luke from Raleigh and Ray and Bill from Florida for a day of jigging. Finally a nice day with light winds. Started in 280 feet for AJs. The morning bite was good and landed some decent fish. The sharks found us eventually and became a pain. Ray landed a nice White Trevally which was the 1st fro this year. We normally get a few in the spring. It is a neat fish. Moved into 200 feet trying to see if the Africans were around but no luck. Ray had a nice scamp on a jig but the sharks took 1/2. Did a little bottom fishing and had a nice trigger and jolt head porgy. Ended the day in the deep water catching a few more AJs. Had a few tuna on top but could get them to take a popper. Also had a 50 lb wahoo come by the boat following the poppers but would commit. Decide to stop at the inshore wrecks on the way in and caught a couple AJs on the poppers.

 

 





Fishing Report Deep Jigging 10-11-2014


I have Mike, Ray, Reel and George come down for a couple days of jigging. Had a steep SE chop on the ride out but started in 240 feet. Reel had a nice Blackfin on his 1st drop in NC. We had good action on AJs and Almacos and then the sharks showed up. Move into 300 feet and found a school of big fish. George hooked a nice fish and landed his 1st NC AJ nice 65 lber. We hooked several more that broke us off. We also had several Wahoo bites on the jigs but just could not keep them from biting us off. Moved into 200 feet around lunch and Mike landed a 31 lb King on a jig. This was a great catch on a jig by far the largest king we have caught on a jig aboard live line. The jig bite slowed in the afternoon so we moved into 120 feet and did some meet fishing.

 

  




Fishing Report 10-5-2014


I had Frank, Luke, Brian and John and we were supposed to go to the stream but the weather would not allow us that far off shore. Left the dock with some pin fish and jigged up some bait at the jetties. Stopped at 20 miles and started looking for AJs, Brian landed the 1st gag of the day quickly. We eventually found a big school of AJs. We continued to land a few more gags through out the day. After lunch the ocean went flat and the AJs went crazy on top water and live baits. There would be 25 fish following the popper to the boat. Everyone landed them until tired. A fun day despite the weather in the morning.

 

 

 




 Fishing Report Gulf Stream 9-16-2014
 
I had Megan, Spencer, Robby, Luke and Jack from Wilmington for a Gulf Stream trip. Headed off shore dodging some storms. It was a good ride out and started in 150 feet of water. I did not get the 3rd line out when short rod started screaming and smoked 300 yards. Spencer landed a fat 47 lb Wahoo right away. We had a couple other strikes and then moved out to 300 feet. We had a triple header of Blackfin and then the storms moved in. We had lots of wind and rain and in the middle of the storm the short rigger went off and we landed a 38 lb Wahoo in the storm (see the rather wet picture). We continued to fish in the rain and caught Blackfin through the afternoon. The sun finally came out around 2:00 and we had a couple more Wahoo strikes and Megan lost a nice Mahi at the boat when it threw the hook with one last jump.

 

 


Fishing Report Gulf Stream 9-11-2014


I had Oliver, Sandy, Pat, Johnny and Tracy from Charlotte for a gulf stream trip. The weather was perfect with a light west wind and flat seas and had lines in by 7:30. We put the lines out in 150 feet of water and as soon as the spread was out a White Marlin came in on the short rigger and a 2nd fish started following the long rigger. I dropped back the short rigger and came tight but a soon as she came to the surface she threw the hook. Continued trolling and had a couple small Mahi. Later in the morning the Wahoo started biting and the short rod went off 1st and landed a nice 35 lber. Then we found them in 150 feet and watched a fish sky the short rigger and the line started screaming. We had spurts of action all morning. We would troll for 30 minutes and then had 3 hits all at once. After lunch we ran north 10 miles after some info on the radio. Pulled back the throttles and got 3 lines out before we had reels screaming. Landed a nice double hook up.Tracy landed the largest fish of the day at 53 lbs. Had great action for 45 minutes and then they shutdown. Ended the day jigging landing a couple nice AJs and feed the sharks a couple. Another outstanding day at the stream fall wahoo fishing.


     

       

 


Fishing Report Gulf Stream 9-1-2014


I had Ron and Rick from NC for a Gulf Stream trip. The ride out was rougher than expected with a SE swell. It took 3 hours but once we start putting lines out it took 5 minutes for the 1st Wahoo strike. We had a couple more and then things slowed down. Moved our way to the north and around 11:00 the bite was back on with multiple strikes we had double a couple times but couldn't keep them hooked. Just after lunch the bite was wide open the Wahoo were on the bait schools and when you trolled over them 2 to 4 baits would get hit. The action was unreal with fish skying on baits/ slashing across the top. We finally caught our limit of 6 and then switched over to some bottom fishing. Landed a Scamp and a couple Pinkies before heading home.

 




Fishing Report Gulf Stream 9-1-2014


I had Ron and Rick from NC for a Gulf Stream trip. The ride out was rougher than expected with a SE swell. It took 3 hours but once we start putting lines out it took 5 minutes for the 1st Wahoo strike. We had a couple more and then things slowed down. Moved our way to the north and around 11:00 the bite was back on with multiple strikes we had double a couple times but couldn't keep them hooked. Just after lunch the bite was wide open the Wahoo were on the bait schools and when you trolled over them 2 to 4 baits would get hit. The action was unreal with fish skying on baits/ slashing across the top. We finally caught our limit of 6 and then switched over to some bottom fishing. Landed a Scamp and a couple Pinkies before heading home.

 


Fishing Report Deep Jigging/Trolling 8-31-2014

Andrew and Lourdes fished day #2 alone so we started the morning trying to troll for some Wahoo . It didn't take long for Lourdes to land her 1st Wahoo. The action in the morning was outstanding for the 1st few hours. We landed 3 Wahoo and had 8 strikes. The troll bite slowed so we went back to jigging for more AJs. had plenty of action. Lourdes hooked a small tuna and a very large AJs ate the fish and stripped 300 feet of line off before the braid broke. This was a big fish that would not stop. Andrew landed another 52 inch fish at the same time. We also caught 2 more Wahoo while trolling up for the next drift. Lost a couple jigs and hooks to Wahoo just couldn't keep them hooked on the jig.


 

 

 

 


Fishing Report Deep Jigging 8-30-2014
 
I had Andrew and Lourdes down from NY. John, Toby and Shaun came down from Raleigh to join them. The weatherman was very kind just a little hot but no worries. We started in 280 feet and it did not take long to get the AJs going on the jigs. We had a lot of quality fish. The sharks bothered us a couple times but left us alone later in the day. John kept his Gag grouper streak going landing a nice 20 plus lber. Andrew landed a nice 52  inch fish which was very fat. We had a few more 50 inch fish and plenty of 40 lbers. Moved in to around 200 feet in the afternoon looking for some Africans but no takers. Finished the day landing a few more AJs before the ride home. The fall jigging is on and it should only get better.

 

 

 

 

   


Fishing Report 8-12-2014

I had Steve, Reece and Benet back from Virginia for a full day of live bait fishing. We finally got a break in the weather and headed out 20 miles. The AJs were hungry in the morning and had plenty of action. We also had a bunch of sharks hanging around the boat and Benet wanted to catch one. After a short 10 minute battle he landed a fat 200 lb Sandbar shark. Released after a few boat side pictures. We started slow trolling different areas and found a couple Cudas but no kings. We bottom fished for a while but the small sharks would let a bait get to the bottom. Ended the day with a few more AJs and a fat Gag grouper for dinner.

 


 



Fishing Report Gulf Stream 8-6-2014
 
I had Steve and the boys in town from NJ for a gulf stream and jigging trip. We headed off shore in a big swell left over from the storm that moved north over night. Started in 120 feet jigging and found plenty of small AJs and Almacos but no grouper. Decide to move off shore and try trolling for some Wahoo and Mahi. It was a little slow in the morning but managed to get a small Wahoo and Mahi. Later in the day we did some bottom fishing and had good action with snapper, scamp grouper and beeliners. We had plenty of meat in the box for dinner and headed back in a SW breeze.

 

Fishing Report 7-27-2014

I had Anthony from Hants Rods and Lures come with Shaun and Toby for a 3/4 live bait for AJs. Anthony brought his new Hanta jigging proto type rods for a test and they worked great. These rods a super light with outstanding power. We put them through the passes all day and landed 75 plus AJs. I can wait to take them offshore this fall and try them with the big AJs. We had action all day jigging/top water popping and live bait fishing. The guys worked hard all day and landed well over 75 fish.

 

 

 


Fishing Report 7-23-2014

I had Keith, Adam, Kurt and Neil for a combo Gulf Stream/ Jigging trip on Sat. We headed off shore dodging the storms and stopped at 50 miles to let a few move away. Started jigging and it did not take long for the guys to get the hang of jigging we found a school of decent AJs and had them every drop. We then found some nice scamps and Adam landed a nice 12 lber. We decided to move further off shore and try trolling for some Wahoo. We had one Wahoo strike that bit through the leader and landed a small Mahi. The guys wanted to finish jigging and landed a few big AJs before heading home.





Fishing Report 7-22-2014

I had some local anglers for a live bait trip and we started at 15 miles dodging the storms but had a few AJs at the wrecks. We moved to a live bottom ledge area trolling live bait for kings but only found sharks. Decided to bottom fish for a while and had a blast. The action was good we had 9 gags but most of them were shorts but Keith landed a fat 13 lbers for dinner. We had a few grunts and sea bass.

   


Fishing Report Deep Jigging 7-19-2014

I had Brandon, Steve, John, Jay and Toby for a jigging trip. The weather was a little rough inshore in the morning but the further offshore we ran the better the ocean became. Started in 200 feet and started hooking fish quickly. It was Steve's 1st jigging trip and he landed his 1st African in a couple drifts. Toby landed a fat 70 lber on a ultra-light set up. The guys worked hard all day. John landed a nice gag. We had a small Blackfin and Mahi. Also lots of nice Almacos. Another great day offshore.


 
      

   


Fishing Report Deep Jigging 6-19-2014 and 6-20-2014

I had Gustavo and Roberto return from Brazil for their yearly trip to North Carolina. They brought Alex, Andreas and Salvador to fish a 2nd boat this year. The weather was reasonable but the SW swell built towards the end of the week. The fishing was great off shore jigging. On day #1 we had a mix bag of fish. We had 3 nice Scamps one was 16 lbs and 4 gags all on jigs. Plenty of Almacos and AJs. Gustavo landed a fat 52 inch fish. Alex also landed another nice 50 inch fish. The next day the winds were 15 mph SW and the current was running south which made for some large seas. It did not stop the guys and we had fish on every drop. The fish were stacked up on the edges with the current. We fished until the guys couldn't drop any more jigs because their arms were too tired. Alex landed the largest fish of the trip on Rick's boat 59 inch 90 lber. Another successful trip with our friends from Brazil.
 

                          
        

                
     


Fishing Report 6-15-2014
 
I had Frank, Luke and Emma for a 3/4 day live bait trip. We started at 20 miles with light east winds. The AJs we very picky in the morning due to the full moon/east winds but we managed to get a few but never got them fired up. We did have a 700 lb 12 foot Tiger shark follow up one of the baits what a site. As usual the weatherman was off and the winds started picking up from the NE as well as the seas. We ended up anchoring up for a while and caught a few short grouper and AJs. Hooked a big Cuda but pulled the hook. Later in the afternoon we did a few more drifts and the AJs ate a little better. Frank landed a fat 13 lb Gag and then a 9 lber. We had plenty of meat for dinner and headed home

   




Fishing Report 6-13-2014
 
I had a group from Charlotte come down for a day of live bait fishing. We left with 2 live wells full of fresh pogies and headed out 12 miles in a SW breeze. Trolled for about an hour with no action. The winds let up and headed out 25 miles to a live bottom area. We found a few small Mahi and bailed a 1/2 dozen for dinner. Started trolling and had a few strikes that broke us off (most likely AJs) then Oliver landed a small king. Later we had a bigger king hammer the short bait but pulled the hooks. The trolling slowed and we headed to the wrecks looking for some Cobia and AJs. The girls had a great time and landed some nice AJs. The winds picked up late in the afternoon and headed for home. (sorry no pictures camera issues)


Fishing Report 6-7-2014
 
I had Frank, Luke, Emma, Laney and Derrick for a 3/4 day fishing around the wrecks. We left with live wells full of pogies but the weather man was not very nice with a stiff 15 mph wind. We made our way out 25 miles and once there is only took 1 drift and the AJs were eating. Laney and Emma took the 1st 2 fish. This was there 1st time off shore and they did a great job landing there AJs alone. Emma's fish was a fat 45 lb monster. The biggest fish at the wrecks so far on 2014. As the day went on the bite got better and better. Luke started popping and landed a few fish. At one point they were so fired up the AJs were hitting the go-pro camera in the water. Everyone did a great job landing some nice fish in rough conditions.

   

   


Fishing Report Deep Jigging 5-25-2014


Day #2 we ran to the break in flat calm seas at 40 mph and had lines in the water by 7:30. The fish took a few drifts to get going but Lourdes landed a trumpet fish and then a rainbow runner. The small AJs and Almacos ate almost every drop until the sharks came calling. Andrew landed a nice gag on a jig. We moved out to the deep and the AJs were eating and they were mean. The guys needed a break so we worked a weed line and Lourdes landed a nice Mahi. Later in the day Andrew found a small African. Headed back home in flat seas and gave Lourdes and Andrew a rest in the bean bags.

   

   



Fishing Report 5-24-2014

I had Lourdes and Andrew come down from NY for a couple days of fishing. Day #1 we stayed inshore around the wrecks due to a striong north wind in the morning. We went out 20 miles and 1st line in the water the AJs we fired up. Even though the seas were bumpy the fish did not care. Andrew and Lourdes landed and released 38 AJs before we tried something else. Lourdes did catch a baby tiger shark about 5 feet long. Released after a few cool pictures. When the winds let up we were able to land a couple nice gags for dinner.

    

 



Fishing Report 5-20-2014
 
I had Ryan, Alex, Heather and Melisa come down from Fayetteville, NC for a live bait trip. Headed out 25 miles with a few live baits to feed the AJs. It didn't take long before they came to the boat looking for the baits. We had great action and everyone caught their share of AJs. The ladies did a great job landing fish after fish. We then switched over to top water poppers and had a blast. The strikes were amazing and a lot of fun to watch. We lasted until around lunch before everyone was worn out and went to some ledges looking for other species. We had a lot of short seas bass, grunts and triggers and then at the end of the day we had a couple Cobia come by the boat and landed a 20 lber but the big one would not eat after a few shots she left the boat.  

   




Fishing Report Deep Jigging 5-18-2014

Day #2 started with great weather and a 40 mph run to the break. It was the best run to the stream this year. We started in 200 feet and had lines in by 7:30 and it did not take long. We had as many Almacos and small AJs as you wanted. The water was so clear you could see the school under the boat by the hundreds. Chris landed the 1st gag of the day. He had another nice one hooked but the sharks took it on the way up. Nick landed a decent Cobia. We had great action for the next couple hours. Tetsu landed the 1st African of the day it fought very hard due to a foul hook in the side. Later in the morning moved a little deeper. We landed 2 more fat Gags. Nick's was the largest 25 lbs, we had a Blue line tile fish, a giant Beeliner and lots of Almacos. We finished the day in 140 feet where Chris landed his 1st African ever and Tetsu caught our last limit of gags along with another small Cobia. Then Nick # 1 hooked something different and the fish took him around the boat several times. It was another giant Jack Cravelle that weighed 42 lbs. We had a great day with many species and plenty of fish of the guys to take home to NY.

   

   

 

Fishing Report 5-17-2014

I had Nick and Tetsu return from NY and brought 1st time anglers Gus, Chris and Nick. Day #1 we stayed around the wrecks due to the 15 to 20 mph NW winds. Started at around 15 miles and had a few fish. Moved off to 25 miles when the winds slowed and found a good school of decent fish. Tetsu started using top water and had fish every drift. It was great to see them on top water already. The AJs are hungry and aggressive because there is not a lot of bait around yet. Later in the afternoon the seas laid down so we ran out to some ledges at 30 miles. Set up for the 1st drift and Tetsu landed a nice gag 1st drop. Then Chris hooked a big fish and Nick had something on also. After a short battle we gaffed a fat 50 lb Cobia and a 25 lb Cobia. The guys had some good meat in the box. Finished the rest of the day at the ledges and had some keeper sea bass and small AJs.

   

   

 

Fishing Report Deep Jigging 4-13-2014

Tetsu, Zoran came back for day #2 and John/Brian joined us from Raleigh. The ride out was a little bumpy with a SE chop but still made good time. We started in 150 feet and the AJs were still hungry. Found a little bigger class of fish and had plenty of action. Tetsu hooked a Wahoo and it stripped 200 yards off the reel before cutting through the leader. Moved offshore later in the morning and started with some AJs. Then we found the Africans and spent the rest of the day working on the Africans. They ranged from 10 lbers up to 30 lb fish. The guys did a great job working the jigs and landing fish all afternoon. The total was 15 Africans. We finished the day with some AJs and then a rest in the bean bags.


   

   

    

Fishing Report Deep Jigging 4-12-2014

I had Tetsu, Zoran, Ferb, Andrew come down from NY and Peter and Derek join from Philly for our 1st good day of weather on the weekend this spring. We headed offshore and a SW swell left from Friday's wind ran 30 mph to the break. Andrew was the 1st to drop in 150 and hooked up immediately. The other anglers joined in and it was a wide open AJ bite. They were little guys but a lot of fun. We moved to another ledge with more of the same great action. The sharks eventually found us later in the morning. We moved into a little deeper water and Derek hooked and landed the 1st African. We continued catching more AJs and couldn't get another African before the sharks moved in. Later in the day we moved to the deep to try popping for Blackfin. It didn't take Peter and Derek long to get the 1st bites on top. The ocean was flat and the strikes were viscous. Then Derek had a Wahoo crush his popper and left a 10 foot hole in the ocean but missed the hooks. Andrew joined in using the new Hanta Series Maguro 864 rod with a Saragosa 10000 and landed a couple of nice fish. Late in the day all the trolling boats left and the Blackfin started following and crashing the poppers. Peter ended the day with a fat 30 plus lb fish. Everyone crashed in the bean bags for the ride home. Finally a weather and fishing day.

   

   

   



Fishing Report Deep Jigging 4-2-2014

Since we couldn't find a day to fish on the weekend we decided to go on Wed while we had a small weather window. Frank and Luke can down from Raleigh and we headed off shore in a 15mph SW wind. The seas were building at the stream but the fishing was awesome. The 1st drift we had a couple small AJs and then Frank hooked something different and when it came up it was a giant Jack Crevalle. She was 43 inches long and very fat. This is now the new pending North Carolina State record at 49.1 lbs. We have some paperwork to handle but it should be certified as the new record. Continued fishing and had more AJs. Frank hooked another big fish and landed a 40 lb African. Another outstanding catch. We landed and released a couple of gags. Then Frank hooked another big African but a wolf pack of spinner sharks attacked it with in site of the boat. What a site but irritating. We moved to other locations after the sharks became aggressive. We had more AJs and sharks. While moving to another location I put out a couple plugs and with in 10 minutes the rod started screaming and Luke landed his 1st 39 lb Wahoo. We tried popping for Blackfin in the deep but no luck. Ended the day jigging a few more AJs.


 


 

 


Fishing Report Deep Jigging 2-1-2014

I had Will, Jay, Toby, Shawn and LeAnn come down from Charlotte far a day of deep jigging. As usual the weather forecast was off somewhat with NE wind 15 mph. It was a wet cold ride out but once we started jigging it was worth the ride. Started hooking AJs on the 1st drift. They were between 15 to 50 lbs and what they lacked in size they made up with attitude due to the 68 degree water. Will started out great and hooked/landed a 42 lb Wahoo on a jig on a light action set up. The group worked hard all morning with many multiple hook ups on drifts including all 5 anglers on a couple drifts. Later in the day moved to slightly deeper water looking fro Africans. We found more AJs, Almacos and big Albies but the sharks eventually found us and took a few jigs. Shawn was able to land a nice 20 lb African with out the sharks taking it. We ended the day with more AJs and found a school of larger class fish for more pain. Everyone crashed in the bean bags for the ride home. This was a great start for the 2014 season more to come.

 

 

     

   




 
Fishing Report Gulf Stream 9-1-2014

I had Ron and Rick from NC for a Gulf Stream trip. The ride out was rougher than expected with a SE swell. It took 3 hours but once we start putting lines out it took 5 minutes for the 1st Wahoo strike. We had a couple more and then things slowed down. Moved our way to the north and around 11:00 the bite was back on with multiple strikes we had double a couple times but couldn't keep them hooked. Just after lunch the bite was wide open the Wahoo were on the bait schools and when you trolled over them 2 to 4 baits would get hit. The action was unreal with fish skying on baits/ slashing across the top. We finally caught our limit of 6 and then switched over to some bottom fishing. Landed a Scamp and a couple Pinkies before heading home.