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Dolphin

Dolphin, Mahi Mahi, or Dorado, by whichever name you choose to call them, these feisty game fish are some of the most beloved in the sea. I am always pleased to find a Dolphin on the other end of my line. They put up a good fight, taste great, and, perhaps most importantly, they always seem to be willing to eat!

In North Carolina, Dolphin show up in the early summer when the water hits about 75 degrees. They can be found anywhere from the Gulf Stream to a few miles off the beach. The small fish love to school up, especially under clumps of sargassum grass. The bigger fish, anywhere up to about 70 pounds, are usually lone fish, but also love surface structure. Most Dolphin fisherman find them under weed lines, the classic Dolphin fishing scenario. When running offshore, keep a lookout for boats that seem to be out in the middle of nowhere or a disturbance on the horizon. If you see either, go and investigate, you may well run across a whole day of good fishing! Weed lines usually dont come inshore of about 10 miles and can be found all the way out into the Gulf Stream.

There are many opinions on the best way to catch Dolphin, but my favorite way is with surface lures. This summer, while fishing about 30 miles out of Masonboro Inlet, I ran across a small weed line that held a few smaller Dolphin. Every fish I caught that day I caught on a Boone Bird Rig for Spanish Mackerel. They passed up ballyhoo and Dolphin Dazzlers to hit that bird. Those smaller school Dolphin would come bounding through the baits and slam the small trail of lures trailing out behind that bird. They loved the action. Every other Dolphin I caught this year was caught on the same set up. They could not seem to resist that surface action. The Boone Bird Rig is my secret weapon for Dolphin.

The bird rigs can be found in most good tackle stores. Boone makes these birds with Spanish in mind, which need to be beefed up. Adding bigger hooks and stronger leader is recommended. Boone also makes a similar rig designed for Sailfish which I have yet to try, but should be great for dolphin.

Dolphin are very aggressive fish. If you bring a green Dolphin aboard, you better get it in the fish box quick. Theyll thrash around and bite at everything in site. This aggressive nature makes them very easy to catch also. When you have Dolphin at the boat, they will go crazy at just about anything you toss out. Its been said that banging on the hull of the boat when Dolphin lose interest will bring them back looking for more. Im not sure this works, but chances are, by the time the Dolphin lose interest, youll be ready to quit too!

So next time your heading offshore, keep a lookout for that shimmer on the horizon, it just might make youre day!

Tight Lines,
Josh Idol

Dolphin from 23 Mile Rock.

Spadefish

Often overlooked by NC fisherman, the spadefish has much to offer as a great challenge on light tackle. Spadefish are common to most of the wrecks and reefs along our coast. You'll find them most often in depths of 35 feet or
greater and always around structure. Schools commonly number in the hundreds and they are remarkably good sport on light tackle. Schools of spadefish typically show up in quantity along the NC coast in May, as the water warms up appreciably. Finding a location to catch them is as easy as finding and anchoring within casting distance of an ocean side artificial reef, wreck or tower structure such as the Frying Pan Shoals light tower.
Spadefishing is best done in relatively light seas with light to moderate current. The fish cruise around the structure and will come into the zone you are fishing as they make their passes. Often you can see the school approaching and moving up and down the water column searching for food. To fish for spadefish start with medium action tackle in the 8# to 15# class. As with most situations, you can expect more strikes with light line. However, the lighter the line the more cutoffs you can expect, particularly when very close to structure.
Though they can be caught on artificials and fly, most spadefish are caught on natural bait. Specifically, jelly balls (cabbage head jellyfish, which are not toxic to touch) and clams account for most catches. Some prefer to
chum with clams by crushing them, then placing them (shells and all) in a mesh bag and hanging the bag from the transom. Jelly balls can be rigged in line, on a length of monofilament (20 feet or more), then tied off to the
transom as chum. Both will attract the fish, but many people prefer the ease of working with clams. If jelly balls are used, use caution to prevent staining of hands, clothes and gelcoat. Terminal tackle is very basic and usually consists of a small hook (circle hooks work very well) tied directly to the line. Depending on conditions,a
split shot can be added to get your bait down into the strike zone. Often a popping cork or "bobber" is employed, as well, to determine the most productive fishing depth and then keep the bait in the proper zone. Fish depths from 5 to 20 feet with the reel engaged and just enough drag to keep the line from slipping in the wind and current. Bait your hook with a strip of fresh clam or jelly ball and conceal as much of the hook and knot into the bait as possible. Make sure your bait is at least five feet down and 30 to 70 feet away from the boat. When line starts to peel of your reel, tighten the drag to set the hook.
Spadefish are classified in NC as one of the reef complex species. The limit last year was 20 per day, with no size specification. As table fare, many feel the spadefish is one of the best. It is often compared to trigger fish in consistency and flavor.

Greg Idol,
Boating and Fishing Extraodinaire