TAR HEEL ALBIES
by Ed Russell for Shallow Water Angler
Sometime in the mid 1980s, the false albacore got a makeover. Not in the literal sense, just in the minds of a group of enterprising fly and light-tackle anglers all along the Atlantic seaboard. They discovered that these speedsters readily eat flies and lures, and in the fighting department, pretty much put some of the glamour species to shame. Word got out, and by the early ‘90s, the false albacore (albie) had become the darling of East Coast fly and spin fishermen alike.
From roughly mid-October through Thanksgiving, great numbers of albies are found from the Virginia Capes to North Carolina's Outer Banks. They can be found at Ocracoke and Hatteras inlets, but the shallow waters near Cape Lookout, North Carolina are probably the top spot. At this point, the coastline reverses, forming a hook. The area inside the hook, at Barden Inlet, is popular because there is some protection from the wind (which almost always blows) and anglers with small boats can get to a pretty good concentration of fish. As waters cool in the fall, vast schools of Atlantic silversides (glass minnows) funnel out of Pamlico and Core sounds, into the albie gauntlet.
Perhaps it's because of the enormous quantity of baitfish that is concentrated here, but for whatever reason, albies run big here. Twelve-pounders are common, with plenty of fish topping 20 pounds. Early on, the go-to spot was Harker's Island. This location has easy access to Barden Inlet and "the hook," but it wasn't long before boating anglers flocked to the area in such numbers that near (and possibly actual) collisions occurred. As a result, many anglers ventured out of the hook to seek quieter waters, and still found albies. In fact, it became apparent that the "Fat Alberts" roamed the shallows on both sides of Cape Lookout and for miles up and down the coastline. The cape itself is a focal point for much of the fishing. Sometimes the fish could be a mile or more off the beach, other times literally right at the shoreline pinning hapless baitfish against the sand.
Although Harker's Island was and remains a popular destination, it became crowded and anglers found that Morehead City was a good alternative for extended fishing trips. Located right on Beaufort Inlet, a short run puts you right in the middle of some of the most productive water, and is well within reach of the Cape. In addition, the inlet itself is a prime spot – the seaward channel is well marked by buoys, and fabulous fishing can be had from well inside the mouth of the inlet to a couple of miles out. You can find lodging and restaurant information in Morehead City by visiting www.switchboard.com. Many of the motels offer substantial fisherman discounts beginning in October. Nearby Atlantic Beach see less fishing pressure, holds numbers of albies, and has an excellent public launch ramp. And some motels offer a free launch ramp and/or boat slip for their guests.
Initially, only a handful of guides targeted the albacore fishery, but now guides come from as far away as Massachusetts for the prime season. If you are a newcomer to this fishing, a good guide can show you the ropes. If you fish on your own, it's best to embark from Beaufort Inlet. Most of the fishing is close to shore and, should bad weather come up, it's a short run back home with a few navigational hazards. Though shore-bound fishing is limited, shuttle boats are available to take you across the Sound from Harker's Island to Cape Lookout. You can spend the day or camp out if you like; however, there are no facilities on the Cape and no water. This is primitive camping. The best spot to fish is at the very end of Barden Inlet. There is a long sandbar (marked by a red buoy) that extends well out from shore and the western edge drops off sharply into deep water. It pays to wade carefully, but albies cruise well within casting range. However, this is a popular spot, and wading anglers and boaters end up casting toward each other to reach the same fish.
