Yea, but where else are they???

[saxatilis]

I see lots of posts about fishing Cape Lookout for Alberts, but they must be found else where consistently? Don't need secrets spots, just general info will do!

BTW how is Cape Lookout fishing now? Hopefully better than last year?

Thanks,

Rick

[BuzzBryson]

In fact the albies are found along much of the state's coastline, and are caught north to south from Oregon Inlet to Wrightsville Beach. It's just that Lookout's configuration can (not always!) provide a measure of relief from wind.

Was down at Lookout last weekend, and there were no fish, or very few. Didn't see any caught. Lots of bait, but water was still warm, around 74. A cold front was just going through, which should cool the water considerably.

But your question is extremely timely, given that the hoards are about to descend on Harkers Island. It's a great place to fish, but is approaching being "over loved". Most of us locals (to NC) are already tending to stay away from prime time weekends because of crowds.

If planning a trip, and flexibility exists, come on weekdays and earlier or later in season. It's easy enough to check with local shops and see if fish are in (yet, or still, depending on which end of the crowded season you're looking), and plan accordingly. And if motels on Harkers are full, it's no problem finding rooms in Oct-Dec in nearby Beaufort, Morehead City, or Atlantic Beach. Just as tarpon anglers have found that there are fish in Florida other than May and June, anglers are finding that the extremes of the albacore season here can still be fun and certainly less crowded. Having said that, though, if they're not here, they're not here (witness last weekend). But I'll hit it again this weekend.

Buzz

[nhursh]

We're waiting on your reports, Buzz! Good luck and screaming lines.
Norm

[DirtyDave]

Report from Atlantic Beach to the east of cape lookout shoals.
Plenty of bait for the fish to feed on. Did a few things yesterday. Caught bait inthe inlet(bluefish) for amberjacks, king mackeral. Went to the shoals cape lookout( the shoals are eight miles long) caught a bunch of spanish big ones. Proceeded to a wreck about 14 miles off the beach saw plenty of albacore on the way. Kingfishing was hot nice fish 15 to 25 pounds, came back towards the beach, albacore feeding on bait balls of glass minnows. Getting a grease chart on the area will help you locate the wrecks/ hard bottom, where bait oftens hangs. The east side is a good place to get away from the crowds. Siitng in the inlets and waiting for the fish to come to you is find if you have the time. If The alberts aren't feeding on the surface go to a wtreck, big reddrum 30 to 50 pounds, kings and albacore, what a mix.
Good luck and enjoy the opportunites
dave dietzler