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Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle & the Crystal Coast

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…already finding Albies on red bait. We’ve had some phenomenal days. I think it’s going to be a good fall.

I still have a few days left in Oct and Nov. Come spend a day on the contender at Cape Lookout!

#templeforkoutfitters #orvisflyfishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #saltwaterguidesassociation
#flyfishingguide #guideservice #falsealbacore #albies #albiesonthefly #catchandrelease #beaufortnc #beaufort #harkersisland #crystalcoast #capelookout #emeraldisle #stripstrike #doublehaul #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #flyfishing #flyfish #flyfishnc #ncflyfishing #sightfishing #waterdogguideservice
With the persistent North winds the albie fishing has been outstanding with #Albies blitzing the cape lookout beaches hammering schools of big silversides and bay anchovies. Along with bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack cravalle and all our summer and fall visitors. It’s going to be a good fall.

I have a handful of open Oct and Nov dates available 

#falsealbacore #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing
#lighttackle #capelookout #harkersisland #beaufort #beaufortnc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc

#contenderboats #mercurymarine #templeforkoutfitters #shimanofishing #zman #templeforkoutfitters #orvis #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #getoutdoors
Juvenile gag grouper caught along a estuarine grass flat. Gag #grouper, like many offshore species actually spend the earliest part of their lives growing up in estuarine environments among the grass flats and oyster beds. This is to say that healthy estuarine ecosystems are critical to the health of so many species, even those we consider to be primarily offshore deep(er) water fish. This is why clean water and protections for critical habitat like our our shallow water submerged aquatic vegetation environments are so critical for healthy and diverse ecosystems, both inshore and off.

Juvenile gags are not an uncommon catch this time of year, but many of us have been seeing a lot more the last 2-3 years so we can be hopeful that rebuilding efforts are working for this important species.

#grouper #offshorefishing #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #shimano #zmanfishing #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
As good as the albie fishing has been jn Sept 2024 - I am optimistic we’re going to have a great fall. I still have some Oct and November dates available.

#templeforkoutfitters #orvisflyfishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #saltwaterguidesassociation
#flyfishingguide #guideservice #falsealbacore #albies #albiesonthefly #catchandrelease #beaufortnc #beaufort #harkersisland #crystalcoast #capelookout #emeraldisle #stripstrike #doublehaul #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #flyfishing #flyfish #flyfishnc #ncflyfishing #sightfishing #waterdogguideservice
I’ve spent the last few years trying to avoid catching f flounder outside of the season - and we’ve done a good job by changing tactics and areas I frequent. But you can’t avoid them all - this one was over 7lbs and fell for a #zman. What a beast!

#doormat #flounder #southernflounder #inshorefishing 

#findyourwild #seewhatsoutthere #rapala #shimano #finsfishing #zman #templeforkoutfitters #simrad #minnkota #pathfindeboats #mercurymarine #contenderboats #speckledtrout #redfish #inshorefishing #beaufortnc #atlanticbeachnc #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #waterdogguideservice
This is one of my favorite videos of the summer, captured by my customer, as I was frantically running around while two very excited boys fought a doubleheader of black tip spinner #sharks. We actually landed (and released) both.

#sharks #sharkfishing #catchandrelease #blacktip #blacktipshark 

#beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #zmanfishing #shimano #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
***Commercial Flounder Season Just announced***

OPEN DAYS: Oct 𝟻̶,0̶6̶, 7, 𝟷̶𝟸̶, 13……also 15 and 16th if the season is open

In NC, if you’re a commercial fishing license holder, it’s legal to commercially harvest flounder, during the open season, while on a charter trip. As a commercial license holder, I will offer inshore trips targeting flounder (and other inshore species) in my pathfinder. The season opens Oct 2nd and I will post my open dates below. In 2023 the season was open barely more than a week until the quota was caught. So I will book trips through Oct 12th or so - you can gamble on it being open longer and book later.

OPEN DAYS: Oct 𝟻̶ ,0̶6̶, 7, 𝟷̶𝟸̶, 13……also 15 and 16th if the season is open. I’m recommending 3/4 days.
Pretty good backwater redfish the past few weeks…as well as some excellent topwater trout fishing and the late summer random visitors like 3-6lb jack crevalle, etc

#findyourwild #inshorefishing #seewhatsoutthere #rapala #shimano #finsfishing #templeforkoutfitters #simrad #minnkota #contenderboats #speckledtrout #redfish #inshorefishing #beaufortnc #atlanticbeachnc #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #waterdogguideservice
Found a baby #copperhead on my evening run…be careful where you step. But let them be. #snake #venemoussnake #running #brooksrunning
Jessie repeating the same pose from the same week last year! Also caught some dolphin, had a billfish bite and did some deep dropping for a mixed bag. #wahoo #mahi #offshorefishing #bluewater 

#beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #zmanfishing #shimano #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
It’s been forever since i posted….buts it’s been a busy and exciting summer of inshore and offshore fishing. I have a ton of pics, videos and stories.

Lately - we finally had a good string of weather and we took advantage of it to get in on our famous late summer #wahoo bite. Also a few dolphin, blackfin tuna and a really good billfish bite. I’ve hooked up at least one every trip- including two sails this past Saturday.

Also been doing some deepwater bottomfish with the electrics which is a blast.

Bluewater trolling in a big CC like my contender 28T is a ton of fun and a totally different experience - come give it a try!

#offshorefishing #bluewater 

#beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #zmanfishing #shimano #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
This is one of the best trail camera photos I’ve ever captured. A face-off between an Indiana bobcat and a coyote. I would’ve loved to hear it - I wonder…what were they arguing over? A recent kill? Territorial dispute? Or do dogs and cats not get along? 

Just look at that big kitty’s arched back! #meow

#indiana #bobcat #coyote #trailcam #trailcamera #seewhatsoutthere #sitkagear #spypoint
No Shadow - you’re welcome. BUT did you know the groundhog is only right less than 40% of the time?

Here’s to one more revolution around the sun

#43 #groundhogday #PennsylvaniaDutch
Switched gears for a few days and fished jnside - good smattering of trout, reds, black drum and sheepshead. This 8.5lb sheepshead was our catch of the day!

One thing people don’t realize about #sheepshead is how slow they grow - a 5lb+ fish in the Carolina’s is over 15-20yrs old. Bigger fish like this are likely in their 20s!

enough!

#speckledtrout #redfish #flounder #inshorefishing #mercurymarine #contenderboats

#lighttackle #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild
#zman #finsfishing #rapala #heedthecall #fishing #topwaterfishing #beaufortnc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeach #atlanticbeachnc #emeraldisle #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #harkersisland #coresound #capelookout #americansaltwaterguidesassociation #betterbusinessthroughconservation #waterdogguideservice
A welcome site after a few tough days of sledding. N25 but we ground out a few!

#templeforkoutfitters #orvisflyfishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #saltwaterguidesassociation
#flyfishingguide #guideservice #falsealbacore #albies #albiesonthefly #catchandrelease #beaufortnc #beaufort #harkersisland #crystalcoast #capelookout #emeraldisle #stripstrike #doublehaul #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #flyfishing #flyfish #flyfishnc #ncflyfishing #sightfishing #saltwaterguidesassociation #waterdogguideservice
You never know what you may see out there - particularly on a slick calm day when every ripple and disturbance stands out. This big hammerhead cruised right on by when we were catching #amberjack and #false albacore over a wreck.

#sharks #hammerhead #hammerheadshark #templeforkoutfitters #orvisflyfishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #saltwaterguidesassociation
#flyfishingguide #guideservice #albiesonthefly #catchandrelease #beaufortnc #beaufort #harkersisland #crystalcoast #capelookout #emeraldisle #stripstrike #doublehaul #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #flyfishing #flyfish #flyfishnc #ncflyfishing #sightfishing #waterdogguideservice
Albies. Some days have been exceptional. Some days just good. Some days the wind has blown. Other days have been tough. But that is part of the excitement of chasing these amazing fish - the bit of luck when all those conditions align and you get to experience that magical day.

#templeforkoutfitters #orvisflyfishing #seewhatsoutthere  #findyourwild #saltwaterguidesassociation 
#flyfishingguide #guideservice  #falsealbacore #albies #albiesonthefly #catchandrelease #beaufortnc #beaufort #harkersisland #crystalcoast #capelookout #emeraldisle #stripstrike #doublehaul #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #flyfishing #flyfish #flyfishnc #ncflyfishing #sightfishing #waterdogguideservice
As good as it gets. All day long. Still have some open October dates. 

#falsealbacore #albies #onthefly #saltwaterflyfishing #lighttackle #capelookout #harkersisland #beaufort #beaufortnc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc 

#contenderboats #mercurymarine #templeforkoutfitters #daiwa #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #getoutdoors
Jessie and her hard earned #wahoo from an epic day of #offshorefishing !

#beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #daiwa #zmanfishing #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
Dave and Jesse, who’ve been fishing with me for a long long time, wanted the express credit for landing the first billfish on the contender - and it was hause of a sail too!  Just one highlight of an amazing, beautiful day offshore!

#billfish #sailfish #offshorefishing #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #daiwa #zmanfishing #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
With the capabilities of my new @contenderboatsofficial 28T I’ve really started expanding my horizons as I can reliably fish offshore a lot more days. One of those things has been deep dropping for tilefish and snowy grouper - among other things! Here’s me with a 8.5lb blueline tilefish and a snowy from a recent fun day. Put the #daiwa tanacoms to work this day!

#deepdropping #deepdrop 
#mercurymarine #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #grouper #offshorefishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #fishtoeat #costasunglasses #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #waterdogguideservice
yellow cheek wrasse. ID thanks to my neighborhood ichthyological expert

Never know what you might catch #offshore bottom fishing!

#offshorefishing #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #daiwa #zmanfishing #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
This is by far my catch of the year - and I doubt I’ll top it (this year anyway!). This spiny lobster went 12.5lb on the scale and had a taste for squid getting tangled in a beeliner/trigger rig. My freak out was one for the ages. A common find by divers in our area, and a rare but not uncommon hook and line catch for bottomfishers!

#spinylobster #bugs #lobster 

A big thanks to @marshhester for the awesome photo! 

#grouper #offshorefishing #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #emeraldislenc #moreheadcitync #atlanticbeachnc #contenderboats #mercurymarine #mercury #daiwa #zmanfishing #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #costasunglasses #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #waterdogguideservice
The albies have shown in great numbers the last couple weeks at cape lookout. Was able to tag a dozen this past weekend for the @saltwaterguidesassociation #albieproject ! Great fishing and helping gather needed science to protect this valuable fishery for future generations!

#falsealbacore #saltwaterflyfishing #onthefly #orvisflyfishing 

#mercurymarine #contenderboatsofficial

#seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild
#zman #finsfishing #rapala #heedthecall #fishing #gottabenc #beaufortnc #moreheadcitync #moreheadcity #atlanticbeach #atlanticbeachnc #emeraldisle #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #harkersisland #coresound #capelookout #americansaltwaterguidesassociation #betterbusinessthroughconservation #waterdogguideservice
Another view of that #smoker. 38lbs Mike did a great job getting her to the boat! 

#smoker #kingmackerel #kingfish #treblehooksandwire #gofast #contenderboatsofficial #mercurymarine

#daiwa #templeforkoutfitters #finsbraid #offshorefishing #seewhatsoutthere #findyourwild #fishtoeat #costasunglasses #beaufort #beaufortnc #emeraldislenc #crystalcoast #crystalcoastnc #waterdogguideservice