I just came home from four days at OBX. Drum were spotty on the point but we did see a couple late afternoons with 40-50 drum caught up to 46". I was up there with Tommy Farmer/ Carolina Cast Pro as he spends a couple weeks giving cast lessons and selling those professional grade rods he designed. Tommy caught 3-4 citation fish, I struck out....unless you count blue crab? I'm not at the level where I feel comfortable working the point and the combat line shoulder to shoulder, so I stay back on the fringe. Fantastic experience to watch how everyone is helping each other out getting those massive drum in, measure, take pictures and release them unharmed. I'll still try again and hopefully get experienced enough to land a citation of my own. Thanks Tommy!

I'm going to be out of pocket for a week, my sister and brother-in-law are coming for a week visit. Right after that my nephew, his wife and new son are coming for a visit. The rest of the month is packed up with family stuff. I am sure you will be surrounded by family preparing to lay your brother to rest and mourning. Take care Troy

So sorry to hear that sad news Troy, your family seems to be a loving family and I know you will support each other. My condolences Sir.

Great to meet and fish with Troy and delighted on the positive responses to Troy's acknowledgement of our fishing trip! Great time and a beautiful day to be on the water. I assume catching a monster ray doesn't count as a fish??!! LOL

BTW...this is to OJDIDIT...too bad OJ didn't own up to the murder before he died yesterday!

I lived in Pittsboro for three years and was also disappointed in Jordan as far as bass fishing...BUT, the crappie, catfish and striper fishing can be very good. I have had many 20-30 fish days fishing for crappie and caught several 20-24" stripers while I was crappie fishing. Worst part of that lake is the jet skis and water skiers have no respect for fisherman in the summer months.

Thanks Troy, I love the Virginia creek area and that is my go-to. Haven't had any luck with trout though and the creek itself is a long paddle from where I put in. I would welcome the opportunity to access the creek easier and especially with someone familiar with it who could show me the ropes. I have done fairly well with drum and am an apparent expert on catching lizard fish! I have never caught whiting or spots in that area. I have a sit-on kayak that I fish out of which limits my range since I paddle, no motor. I can give you my phone number but haven't tried a private message yet. Thanks for the offer!

I'm kind of new to this area and wondering if anyone is still fishing the piers, what they are catching and on what? I fished the IC this past fall and did fairly well on drum and flounder but the cold water has shut me down. I thought about trying the piers if it was worth the time and effort but never done any of that. I tried the beach fishing and caught a few whiting and a bunch of puffers but not enough to even have a fish fry. I was hoping the piers were still active for the whiting but is it too late and cold in the season? I appreciate any insight that can be given and wish you all tight lines!

Thanks for the bleeding and soaking tips! I have always soaked all my white meat fish in whole milk for about 6 hours. The milk fat stays in the flesh when you drain off the milk prior to cooking. It removes any fishy taste and makes the meat moist.

Welcome to the group Rick. I just moved to Hampstead from Pittsboro and fished Jordan quite a few times in the two years I was there. I started fishing for crappie after I caught a few of the larger ones plugging for bass, got pretty good at it too. I'm not much of a deep water structure fisherman for bass which is what it takes on Jordan. So I started targeting crappie. There are some good size crappie in there and I even caught a bunch of channel cats and two stripers while crappie fishing. It is unfortunate the lake gets taken over by skiers and jet skies during the warm months. I have been back in coves and had jet skiers do doughnut around the boat at 40 yards out. No consideration at all for fishermen. Good luck!

You mentioned bleeding out, I am assuming you cut through the gills? We did that to all our salmon and halibut. Makes them easier to clean at the dock and much better eating. I didn't know you had to do that to fish down here? I'm learning something every day and anxious to get my boat in the water here. THX

Thanks to all for the welcomes and gracious offers of help. My "BEE" is my dream car and the halibut was only 48# and a perfect size for eating, the biggest on my boat was 203#. I love to eat fish also and am a little daunted by the meager limits in this state! You would have to make several trips to get a good mess for eating. I am sure this is a product of either overfishing or minimal reproduction rates. Hope it improves soon to give everyone better fishing!.

I did PM him and waiting for a response. The name is because of the 69 Super Bee I built and have here in Hampstead...still working to finish her. Not sure how to send pictures of AK fishing or the Bee, still trying to figure out the access and how to post them. THX

I think I am getting the hang of this...my Bee in Denver and one of my friends on my boat with a decent halibut.

Hello Gents and Ladies. Moved here 3 months ago and wanting to start fishing in salt and fresh water. I have strolled the beach at Topsail watching the locals in the surf and getting a few hints and looking for docks to launch. I have just an 18foot bass tracker now and have been fishing all my life. Lived 30 years in Alaska with a 24' offshore boat catching salmon and halibut and a 22' river boat for salmon in the the rivers. I am ready to venture into NC waters and was hoping for a few pointers from the local experts. Obviously the 18 footer I have now would be okay for inshore or fresh but I won't try the offshore until I find a friend with a bigger boat who wants to share the costs. Any hints for a new guy on the block.....species, time of year, preferred bait? Thx for the help, hope to see and meet you on the water!