CATCH & RELEASE FLATFISH!

Big doormat flounder can be found all around Cape Lookout!

We return to Cape Lookout! But this time for catch and release flounder! Flounder fishing and gigging is a long-held tradition across North and South Carolina. The Crystal Coast offers some of the best with it's clear waters and over 56 miles of protected beaches. Unfortunately, under current regulations, you can't keep a flounder of any size but I like the tactics of catching flounder and why shouldn't I keep my skills up when the day comes that I can put a few on ice!

Fresh blackfin Tuna and Mahi-mahi from our offshore waters cooked over pecan wood!

I love traveling down to Cape Lookout. The term "Island Time" immediately comes to mind when I cross over the Harkers Island Bridge and cruise down Island Drive. Lodging on the island usually involves our buddy Mike Laws who graciously opens up his home for us to stay. We've done several shows with Mike over the years and always have a great time. And it usually involves a meal outside around a fire. Mike had just returned from an offshore trip near Hatteras and had brought back some black-fin tuna and Mahi-mahi. Grilling fresh seafood over pecan wood on the island is special and it's always a great time catching up with Mike and making plans for another fishing or hunting trip.

The Cape Pointe Marina is a classic! Serving local and visitor alike.

The next morning we met Noah at the Cape Pointe Marina which is conveniently located toward the eastern end of the island. The lighthouse is in clear view from the dock and seeing the local clammers unburden the trailers from their boats to head off for parts unknown gives the place a nostalgic vibe. Once we were loaded up we head off to find bait.

The wild horses of the Shackleford Banks adds to the fishing experience.

As usual, the horses were dotted along the islands surrounding Shackleford Banks. With the vacation season starting to ramp up, we noticed an increase of people walking on the beaches of the banks and around the lighthouse.

Captain Noah Lynk throws a cast net to catch killifish also known as Mudminnows.

Fine bait for most any predator

Noah's plan was to use both artificial and live bait so we spent some time throwing a cast net in about 3 inches of water. In no time and we had the livewell full so we motored over to the first spot at the mouth of a small creek. Noah suggested we throw some artificial baits first and started pitching Bait Fuel GO2 Shrimp. "When you throw it out, let it sink the bottom then pop it up and let it come back down. " Noah said. "Try to keep your line tight. You'll feel that thump and then you need to count to 5 before setting the hook." I watched Noah do it first and almost immediately he calmly said "I just got a bite." as he dropped his rod tip making the line go slack. I could see him mentally counting to 5, then he reeled up the slack and snapped the rod tip high into the air and I could see it bend over as the fish that was on the other end of his line decided it didn't like this unknown force trying to pull it to the top of the water column. I grabbed the net and in a few seconds we had our first flounder on the boat! This never gets old!

For the rest of the day, we caught flounder after flounder from a number of different places that Noah knew held fish. We moved a couple more times that day and caught fish at every spot we stopped. I was great fun and at the end we think that the artificial bait out-fished live bait! How bout that!

If you want to try most any type of inshore fishing along the Crystal coast I'd give Noah a call! 252-342-6911. You can check out his website here too! https://noahsarkfishingcharters.com/home 

A face that only a mother could love.

Captain Noah Lynk offers exciting charters for a number of species around Cape Lookout and the Crystal Coast.