Anyone interested in heading up to the neighbor state October/November for some albie action? Looking at renting a cheap hotel for a few days with 1 or 2 people that may be interested.
Scout '282
tidewater '21
Oscar '10
I know next to nothing about albies. I can pitch my 8wt, 9 ft fly rod pretty fair and I am always looking to learn. Plenty of saltwater experience in and offshore. If you would be willing to have a newbie tag along…
Albies will be a first for me as well. Well learn them together.
Scout '282
tidewater '21
Oscar '10
You’ll need a boat that can handle some weather that late in the year, 8 weights with an intermediate line and lots of albie candy flies, 2 inches long tied in chart/white, chart/pink, pink/white.
It’s freaking awesome.
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140 (2)
Tarpon 120
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I saw a video several years ago about guys fly fishing for albies out of Morehead City. One of the anglers took a break and laid his Sage rod with an Abel reel down on the gunwale of the boat. The only problem was that his fly was still in the water. An albie hit the fly and jerked his entire rig overboard! Ouch! Those albies will wear you out if you get into them. Enjoy your trip…
oc
quote:
Originally posted by Bulldog_bitesAnyone interested in heading up to the neighbor state October/November for some albie action? Looking at renting a cheap hotel for a few days with 1 or 2 people that may be interested.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Hard to think of a friendlier place to fish than Harkers Island. Pulled a boat up there several years and talked to many local guides that were always willing and knowledgeable about the daily hot spots.Cheap? Cost me more to board my dog in Charleston, while I was gone.
You’ll want a 10wt for some of those fish. I’ve only ever used floating lines - be sure to tie some really really small stuff (snot bait) for sippers. Otherwise, crease flies and Albie candy like Hokie said. Dress warm.
A long long slow walk in the spartina gives you time to think big thoughts and put your mind back into order.
- Flatscaster
used to want to make that trip until I discovered fly fishing for the little tunny around here. There are schools 10-15 miles out this time of year and they will eat glass minnow flies. 8-10 wt rods work well. They will have you in the backing with a blink of an eye.
Sometimes the schools are massive (acre +). It is run and gun fishing and a lot of fun. Pick a calm day and just cruise around from reef to reef and you should find them. There will be no mistaking it when you find them.
Day saver if you don’t find them on the surface is to troll 3-4 inch hard baits over the reefs. I use 15lb spinning rods and you will be chasing fish to keep them from spooling you. Be sure your reels are full of line. If you find them like this you can easily catch 30+ in a trip. Take lots of extra flies and lures because the cudas and sharks will get a lot of them around the reefs.
quote:Are you actually referring to our local Atlantic Bonito?
Originally posted by The Corksused to want to make that trip until I discovered fly fishing for the “little tunny” around here. There are schools 10-15 miles out this time of year and they will eat glass minnow flies. 8-10 wt rods work well. They will have you in the backing with a blink of an eye.
Sometimes the schools are massive (acre +). It is run and gun fishing and a lot of fun. Pick a calm day and just cruise around from reef to reef and you should find them. There will be no mistaking it when you find them.
Day saver if you don’t find them on the surface is to troll 3-4 inch hard baits over the reefs. I use 15lb spinning rods and you will be chasing fish to keep them from spooling you. Be sure your reels are full of line. If you find them like this you can easily catch 30+ in a trip. Take lots of extra flies and lures because the cudas and sharks will get a lot of them around the reefs.
I agree that catching them (Bonito) on a fly is an often missed opportunity.
Not trying to stir up anything. Just, asking if it’s Bonitos or if it’s Albies? Big time fun on a fly, either way.
We have more little tunny off our coast than bonito. Most people call them bonito but that is incorrect. The spotted patten on the rear is the way you tell. Little tunny are good to eat if you cut out the darker meat which is about half the filet.
Moved here from Harkers Island. The albies are there now and should last for another month or so. It’s a world class fishery.
Carry 8-10wt rods and have a blast. You don’t need to know how to cast if that’s an issue. Sometimes just slapping the fly on the water will result in a hookup. Follow the bait and you’ll have fish busting all around you.
Some of the best guides on the East Coast relocate to Harkers Island for a month and half during the fall. I’ve fed most of them.
The fish are here now. Good bluefish, spanish macks and monster sharks behind the shrimp boats, along with the albacore. Albie fishing was harder this afternoon, they would only stay up for a few seconds. I will admit I did miss 2-3 eats (too much beer hurt my reaction time).
If you have never been, the weather is great right now and loads of bait and fish. Do it.
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140 (2)
Tarpon 120
Lots of other toys
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing
www.knotthereelworld.com