Fishing

Cold weather dominates the fishing report but it doesn’t stop the catches.

Anglers are still taking redfish in the backwater shallow creeks and that action has not slowed down. I have heard just a few reports of scattered trout running the tides near the bridges (and those were undersized), so I can’t say the trout bite is on…but the redfish are really making up for it.

The cold weather has slammed into North Carolina’s inshore fishing but there are still drum to be found in the backwaters. Wintry winds and frigid temperatures have kept many anglers away from the water, although redfish are still out there for the taking.

Capt. Mark Dickson, of Shallow Minded Inshore Charters, poles the inshore waters looking for red rum this time of the year and he says they are schooled up nicely and prowling shallow water.

This past weekend the Ocean Isle Fishing hosted Capt. Kyle’s Thanksgiving Trout Classic. The speckled trout tournament is an annual event that typically draws 20 or so boats to compete for the tournament’s cash payout but most importantly the opportunity to carry bragging rights through the end of the year. 

The 26th Annual Maritime Classic Road Race took place Nov. 6 on Bald Head Island. One hundred and seventy runners competed in various age categories for a 5K run and a certified Field and Track 10K run. A 1-mile fun run was also included. 

In the 10K male category, Gregory Karukas of Hyannis, Mass., won the overall competition in 34 minutes, 52 seconds. The course record set in 2009 by Devin Swann is 31:47. The overall female winner in the 10K event was Rachel Frey in 46:16. Beth Green set the course record of 37:27 in 2006.