No Such Thing as Bad Day when Fishing

By Captain Phillip Loughlin

My Favored Spots to Fish and Species to Target

Fishing has been my way of life for over forty years. It has been and will always be a crucial part of me. Growing up in North Carolina and being given access to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean is something I am blessed to have and will be forever grateful for. I have been fishing since I was a kid, and I assure you, there is no such thing as a bad day when it comes to fishing.

If I'm fishing for myself, king mackerel is my favorite target. Other fish are better on the table. Although I think king mackerel is delicious, properly handled, and prepared, there's something about the hunt for big king mackerel that gets me going. However, king mackerel fishing can be a test of patience for the less-committed, especially during the summer when the water is hot, and the fish get lethargic and swim deep into the ocean. The best technique to catch a king is slow trolling with a live or frozen bait while making circles and figure-eights around a reef or wreck structure. The wait between strikes can be grueling, but it gives a pure adrenaline rush when the strike comes. In addition to king mackerel, this tactic of slow trolling usually results in some other species being hooked, such as sharks and barracuda. Occasionally, when we fish and reach beyond 15 miles, we can also pick up some mahi-mahi while trolling for kings. On an average charter, I will often start angling for kings during the colder part of the morning before switching up as the day heats up or if the action is too slow. Trolling is a technique that keeps me pushing and angling. Aside from trolling, I also prefer to catch trophy fish by kayak fishing.

Spanish mackerel is a staple of our nearshore fishery and the bread and butter of the nearshore charter fleet. 

These fish are active during spring when water temperatures rise above 65 degrees. Generally, they tend to stay around until the water cools again in late fall. Spanish mackerel aren't huge, only averaging a pound or two and occasionally topping 5 or 6 pounds during fall. They more or less migrate north from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay all summer, then return in the fall. While Spanish mackerel will gather around the bottom structure, they will also follow lure along the beaches from the surf out to a mile or further. Trolling spoons and plugs at a reasonably high speed is the typical way to target them. It is not unusual to have multiple hook-ups simultaneously when finding a good school of Spanish mackerel. It is also great fun to stop and cast to the fish with spoons and jigs. This technique works best when Spanish mackerel are actively feeding on the surface. Along with Spanish, this technique often trolled hooks in bluefish and even king mackerel.

My clients typically travel onboard a Canyon Wren, considered a "small boat," so sea conditions limit the distance we can run offshore. When water conditions are reasonable, we can have a more extended trip; usually, 3/4 day or full day. We will run out to the offshore ledges, from 25 to 40 miles offshore. There are better odds of finding mahi-mahi, big king mackerel, huge amberjack, and the occasional sailfish when fishing offshore. Mahi-mahi is particularly popular for a good reason. They're excellent fighters, they're beautiful fish, and they are delicious on the table. In the late spring, as the water temperatures get up into the 80-degree range, the mahi-mahi will come in from the Gulf Stream, following baitfish. Mahi-mahi will often be found near the ledges, but most mahi-mahi fishermen are urged to keep a sharp eye out for floating structures such as logs, mats of Sargasso weed, or even smaller pieces of debris like buckets or boards. Aside from trolling trips, our clients can opt for customized and flexible kayak fishing trips. They can carry your kayak and fishing gear, and I will take them to the best spots they have always wanted to fish but are too far to paddle to. This experience is perfect for professional kayak anglers who can hold their own on their boat with their gear in the open water. Interested clients can visit our Facebook page for more information about the trips we offer. They can also book a fishing trip with Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures and experience unforgettable fishing adventures.

Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures brave the waters off Hampstead and Topsail Beach in North Carolina. At the same time, the fishing charter offers a trip to the Atlantic Ocean and a fishing trip to the Gulf Stream. 

However, these are highly dependent on a window of excellent weather conditions because we will run well over 50 miles to reach the edge of The Stream. On Gulf trips, we target mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, and wahoo. Although we do not typically target marlin, the possibility of an encounter with a big billfish raises the stakes on these trips. Additional fish caught on these outings include king mackerel, false albacore, and barracuda. Gulf Stream trips are typically trolling trips with various baits and lures. Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures explore the richness of part of the North Carolina east coast, inshore, nearshore, or offshore, and wherever the fish may be, relying on the season. Aside from the fish I usually target, charter clients can also hook fish species like black drum, cobia, redfish, and sea trout. Many fun experiences are flooding back to me as I go through my favorite fishing locations and favored species to target. The beautiful waters of the Hampstead, Tropical Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf Stream have seen a lot from different clients and me as the charter captain for years.

You can find more information on our website if you want to learn more about our charter, Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures, and the fishing adventures we offer. You will find more about our days out and braving the waters on our Facebook page. Interested clients can book a fishing trip with Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures and experience unforgettable fishing adventures.