Hello everyone and as usual sorry for the lack of reports latley. Do you ever get the erie feeling that things are going too good? I was starting to get that feeling so I was extra careful with everything. I was being extra careful on the boat, watching my speed on the roads while driving…..etc. Well it finally caught up to me. I had 4 rods and reels and my tackle bag loaded with gear and some camera equipment stolen off of my boat at my house… and that is partly to blame for the lack of pics on this report. I am missing some sweet red drum pics and 2 bull dolphin pics that were on the stolen camera. I have lived in Wilmington for over 30 years and lived in this house for 10 years with no problems. So word to the wise, times are tough for lots of folks right now so lock up your stuff. I would like to thank everyone on NCW that offered to let me borrow their equipment, thanks to Tex and Arlen at Tex’s Tackle, thanks to Dennis and Louis at Island Tackle and thanks to Quantum and Outdoor Provision center for a few discounts to make up for my loss. Every little bit helps and it is appreciated. Also thanks to NH County Sherrif dept and Nationwide for their fast response. Oh well lets move on.
A while back I was contacted to handle the southern coastal area for a book about North Carolina fly fishing. Anthony V. Smith a professional photographer and I met up for shark on fly. I informed him about the poor shrimping, the poor conditions we just had with tropical storm Bill etc. He said lets give it a try! I liked his enthuasim and had to say yes. As we left the dock I saw a shrimp boat coming back in. This is not a good sign as it was only 8:30 am. The shrimping was very poor that day, and any day I have a photographer on the boat it seems like the odds stack up against me. We punched out the inlet and saw another shrimp boat culling over. I guess the storm was bad for the shrimp but it was good for the sharks! The sharks were boiling behind the boat, the nets were up. It was the PERFECT scenario. The third cast was a instant hookup!
The sharks are boiling. Its funny every time I see them its like the first time. I also start to bust out of my clothes. The hat comes off the shoes come off, its like my body temp rises 10 degrees.
Feeding frenzy!
I knew it was big when I strip striked it and it didnt move!
Here it is busing the surface.
I had to get Anthony in on the action. Here is a cool pic I got of him. The shark ran him around the boat quite a few times.
Awesome pics with the shrimp boat in the back ground!
I knew it was big but not this big! 60? fork length female Black Tip.
She went 72 pounds wich is light for a shark that length. So far that is my biggest fish ever on a 12 weight. Thanks to Rio fly lines and Tibor reels! Anthony decided to keep it since it was legal. Black tips shark makes for fine eating! Thanks again Anthony for sticking in there despite the conditions. Im glad we got what you came for and I sure needed this after my mess was stolen! What a treat this ended up being.
The rest of my report:
INSHORE: The red drum and flounder are biting well
NEARSHORE: The shark fishing is picking up, the spanish have been biting extremely well near the inlets and out about 2 miles.
OFFSHORE: King Mackerel and Dolphin are biting well on the ledges and AR’s
Nice small hammerhead. We missed a shot at about a 200lb one on the same day.
Lots of spanish!
For you fly tiers please check out 2 of my new fly videos, the redfish rattler and a clouser variation. Hope you like them!
http://saltwaterflytying.blogspot.com/
Also I am now building and selling custom Gaff’s. I have been a custom rod builder for a long time and lots of you hve some of my smaller king mackerel gaffs. I always wanted to build the large gaff’s but could never find a source for the components that I liked and could stand behind…..untill now. I can build 6? gaffs with a 2?, 3? or 4? hook for $115, any color you want with your name or boat name on it. These gaff’s are super tough, have a cool split grip design and have a little flex in the shaft and are flat out awesome. Shipping is $15 if needed.
Call to order yours today!
Capt. Matt Wirt
Reel Adventure Charters – Next Level Custom Rods
910-540-0570 Wilmington, NC