Cape fear

[phillip puryear]

I forgot to ask on the last post but how far does everybody fish above hwy. 13 at riverside. Have heard people talking about rock wall but haven't seen it. The water was a 6-8" high last time we were there.

[Mark J]

We fish up to and beyond the I-295 bridge depending on water level.

the rock wall is really a rock dam. It's roughly 150 yards or so above the 295 bridge.
Watch the ripples on the water or change in the look of the water.
You'll do alot of damage to a boat and motor around that dam so take it real real easy until you learn the turf. :eek:

[Southernraised84]

You should try fishing that log jam at those RR crossing up a lil ways from riverside.Its a great place for big cats.

[joe0580]

above and below riverside is a lot of nice places to try. i fish near rock fish creek and have done really nice. i have gone up to the rock damns and there are very nice cats in there to. i dont get up there much because i live down the river but there are nice place everywhere just be safe.

[phillip puryear]

We have tried rockfish creek many times over the last couple of years and never had much luck. On aug. 13th we went about 1 mile above that rock dam. We caught one blue around 20-25lbs. We do most of our fishing down stream. Caught several above 40 lbs. We also found out that the best way to catch the big boys was to accidentally leave the camera and the scales at the house WORKS EVERY TIME.

[JAYNC]

How has the fishing been at lock 2, havent been there for about 2-3 weeks. Last time I was there the water was up a couple feet, did catch a 21lb blue though.

[joe0580]

fiishing down here at lock 2 is great. some hit and miss but pretty good. hope to see you soon.

[JAYNC]

Well I will have the boat with me this weekend if you want to go.

[joe0580]

sure come on. we can fish saturday nigt if want. i got enough eels. like 100 so we should be able to catch something

[JAYNC]

I would hope so, those cats really like them eels. I want to hook on to a monstor like in your picture there, now that would be something.

[fwmud]

Jaync don't forget to check out the Nc gathering thread. It's gonna be at the end of sept.
Good fishing to ya!

[Mark J]

Fished the log jam. 3 of us on the boat using the same bait I caught 7, the other 2 fellas caught 1 a piece.
I was casting downstream about 50 yards, letting the river take it another 30-40 yards and then stopping it.
This was putting my rig right on the transition line from swift current to slow current.

[JAYNC]

I hope to go this weekend on the neuse and maybe the cape fear. I will try some of the log jams and some of the holes. hopefully i will hook into one of those big ones. i have to break the 21# mark.

[JAYNC]

how do you get to the lock by fayettville, or how far upriver is it from lock 2 in elizabethtown.

[JAYNC]

Joe,

If I come down there will we be fishing above the lock or below it.

[Southernraised84]

Hello, Indiana boy here with a question about cape fear. I have a step daughter that lives in Fayettville and i've been thinking about a visit. Just wondering if there is any good bankfishing along the river and what i might pay for non resident fishing license. I here there are some big flatheads in there. Any info would be helpful. Thanks

There is alot of places to bank fish on the Cape.In fayettville you have right there at riverside, but your best bet would be to go to lock#3 that is the best and nearest spot to fay to fish off the bank.And i think the fishing license her eare only like 10 to 20 dollars no more then that.I have fished the cape for awhile and there are some MONSTERS here hope this helps if you have anymore questions just ask.

[miichael]

How do you catch EEL in the cape fear river? I live about 3 hours from cape fear and have only fished the river 1 time. I heard EELs was great bait but never could catch any. what bait and how do u fish for them?

[JAYNC]

Well I appreciate the bait, we took 9 of them. I hope what I left you was fine. I think I am about to give up on that river this time of year. We drove 260 miles round trip for an 11lb blue, we didnt get skunked but it wasnt great either, now if I could only get you in the boat with me to show me the honey hole you are talking about. Later , Jason :) :cool:

[Kittyhunter]

Jaync, we went a couple of weeks ago and fished with Joe. We only caught 4, the biggest was only 15 lbs, but we had a good time. We are going back soon on smaller boats, I saw some good looking log jambs and stuff. We were on a 24 foot pontoon boat so we couldn't exactly get right up near the bank. Joe is a funny guy to be around, he picked on us for bringing everything we had. There were 5 of us plus Joe, 12 rods and reels, a livewell with 45 bream, Joe's eels, a gas grill off the deck, 18 cheeseburgers, 2 watermelons, and a cooler full of drinks. We talked more than we fished, but had a great time. Joe also makes some neat weights too.

[Southernraised84]

How do you catch EEL in the cape fear river? I live about 3 hours from cape fear and have only fished the river 1 time. I heard EELs was great bait but never could catch any. what bait and how do u fish for them?


Hey miichaeal i am not sure how to catch eels on the river but i know if you live anywhere near Fayetteville you can buy them at Riverside off of highway 24 in downtown fayetteville.There is another place where you can buy them here in Fayetteville its on east Russell street at a place called stugart.I know a fellow member named Joe knows how to catch them and if i am not mistaken i belive there is a whole thread on it on the old site in the BOC libary.Hope this helps some

[fwmud]

tristan i made a post earlier about eeel traps and ways/places to bait. It fell on deaf ears.
I was even told on the old site,"I can't tell ya how. Thats how I make my living."
I've been experimenting with some traps, ideas and such. As soon as I get something that works, This will be the first place i post it.
I'll share. :p

[joe0580]

the reason i cant tale where to place them is that it is different for each spot and the pots run from 39.99 to 250.00 fo a trap. but if you use more than 2 traps you must buy a commercial license and thatn the trap must have holes of no less than 1/2 inch. so those small eels you would like will get away. than you can have no more than 50 at any time in your possesion. that why i said i would not tell you where to put them. and yes i do make money saleing them. just kinda makes me mad that you act like i didnt try to help you. that one reason that i have kinda shyed away from this board some. i do like helping people and have a lot but guess that when you try to shy them away from a lot of trouble for a little bait they get mad. also the trap has to stay in the water for no less than a week to work properly.

[joe0580]

you can get pots from guys who do them in the bay in maryland but the cost about 150.00 used. you can vatch them on hook and line. i go near the buffers at the lock and use small like a number 8 hook and either liver or worms and fish for them that way. use a spot rig and it will work. but expect to lose some tackle cause the roll and run under rocks when hooked.

[fwmud]

Pish posh, theres enuogh locals who want bait that it could be shared.
The license issue is a moot point. I wouldn't mind buying another license. i already pay for fishing license, and cast net license, why not another?
If you want to post what was said, post the whole thing not parts of it.
leaveing part of the truth out doesn't make it truth.
And as far as the helping part, get mad if ya want. The fact is you didn't.
You simply stated,"I make my living off of it , so I can't tell."
Then I explained I/we wouldn't be encroaching on your business, simply wanting bait for ourselves. bait , sinker making is a full time job and myself, i didn't have time to do that.
Tell it all or please don't tell it at all.
:D

[Cat Tale]

Easy Boys,It aint no big deal.Joe is'nt the only cat that makes traps.Check Ebay,they are on there all the time cheap.Or do a google search and learn more than you need to know.They are not rocket surgery!One look and you could build yer own.In the words of Rodney King,Why cann't we all get along?

[mack in n.c.]

nice dog...i am on my 4th boxer.....3rd 1 (jordan) was 11 and died last year...have a 1 1/2 year old boxer now, i will e mail you a picture of her and a 2 lb white bass caught in jordan that when i snapped the picture she was kissing it.. funny picture....mack

[joe0580]

well lets get right down to it. at any time that you came down here did i not give you bait, weights, ect.? yes and never did i charge you for it did i? the reason i said no i wouldn't tell was because of people seeing pots and takeing them. i sale them yes and make some money from it. i have tried to help but remember that when you pull those traps and a game warden shows up by some reason only you can posses 50 and trow the rest away. i have tried to help you out as much as possible but guess i should have not. for some reason you seem mad at me so.. i don't know what to do or say. didn't know i upset you. by your post you ssaid you understood and i told you if you imed me i woould tell you the info you needed. that all i have to say!

[joe0580]

cat i didn't make traps and yes you can get them off ebay. the onbes i have are round. and a little more difficult for eels to get out. i dont mind helping anyone on them. when that thread what wrote we ( at least i thought) were jokeing some. but guess not. if any one needs pic of one i can send. but make sure you bait with old fish or squid. for some reason they love it. if you need help or pics of a trap let me know

[Cat Tale]

Cool Mack!Boxers are my favorite dog.I've had several through the years.The dog in the pic is Zoom.He's my fishin buddy.Never complains about anything.

[Cat Tale]

Thanks Joe,but I have a different favorite bait.I've never tryed eels,maybe I should ride up yer way someday and check it out!

[joe0580]

i fished lock one last night and found bluegill and mullet best baits. is that about right? have not fished there much any help would be good.

[Cat Tale]

I could tell ya but I'd have to kill ya.Yeah thats about right.But if it were me I;d try to find one of those prehistoric black fighting fish if ya could.Then hold on real tight.

[joe0580]

so you are saying bow fin or known as black fish is a good bait. you cut him up or use whole?

[Cat Tale]

I didn't say anything.But I'd cut it up!

[joe0580]

i can catch them like crazy up here. antywhere from a pound to 10. think they would eat a whole one on a penn 6/0? lol. might get more than i asked for huh?!

[Cat Tale]

They probably would eat it whole never tryed.I use a penn 4.0 on a tuna rod with a big slice and do pretty good.I have had a time getting them lately.If ya get a bunch save me a couple.

[joe0580]

you want me to freeze them in water for you or keep them alive. i have a 150 gallon tank i can keep them in. let me know. maybe w can get together when gas goes down. or you want me to cut them up and freeze.

[Cat Tale]

I guess it would be easiest to freeze them whole.If you keep them in a tank,they will eat every thing else in there.Gas price is'nt the problem here,finding gas is!Just about every station in town was out today.I'll get with ya sometime though.I'd like to check out those eels too.Well I gotta go,I'll get in touch.

[Kittyhunter]

Hey Joe, it's Mack from Smithfield, we came down a couple of weeks ago. You know, the cruise ship. LOL!! I though about coming this weekend with a smaller boat but gas is too dang high to drive that far. I don't know what happened with you and Keith and it's none of my business, but for the record, you did help us with bait, weight, fishing location and such. Keith has also helped me out on here with info and posting pics, so I ain't taking any sides, just stating what I know. I personally don't want to catch and use any of those dang eels, too close to a snake for me. I you remember, i stayed clear of the bait that night LOL!!

[joe0580]

i honestly dont know what i did or said to upset him so bad but i guess oh well. yeah i wish you could come but most places around here are oput of gas and it just seems to be crazy. if you don't prepay they will not let you gas up. kinda stupid in my book. and it is the same gas they had last week most have not recieved a gas shipment this week. just goes to show the greed of people. but if any one needs anything i am here to help if i can.

[ponykilr]

joe did help us a lot and gave me about 30 3-4 oz no-roll slip sinkers. we had a great time and he's one of the few folks that i have ever seen catch an eel and hook him bare handed from a 40gallon live well. shawn was a little upset about the melted cheese and hamburger grease on his brandy new pontoon boat carpet.....sorry shawn. did yall know watermellon floats............never mind :cool:

[JAYNC]

Yes Joe is a very nice guy, he will bend over backwards to help people out. If I go to the gathering Joe is welcome on my boat for sure. Anyone is really, just let me know. I can fit 3 guys besides me comfortably.

[joe0580]

thankx a lot jason. i want to come to the gathering but feel that there is some anger towards me and that i am kinda not welcomed. i would love to fish with you if like. i can come down early around 5 that saturday. ik have to work that morning but am off sunday so we can fish all night. i can bring the bait and sinkers if like and cheap in on gas if you need it. hope to see you soon. your freind, joe

[JAYNC]

Sounds good, I should be able to make it. Doesnt have to be at the gathering if you feel unwelcomed. You are more than welcome to come with me though, wherever you feel will be the best spot. Hopefully by then I will have the b oat set up exactly as I want it.

[joe0580]

we can try a honey spot a bunch of guys have been catching them below lock 1 or fish anywhere you want to try. i know spots form lock 3 all the way to lock 1. below that you have to ask bob paul and those guys. that their happy hunting grounds. the has been a lot of 20 to 30 lbers caught near little sugar loaf and below. water a bit deeper and cooler for those large cats. but by end of sep water should lower a lot with temp and those big cats will feed like crazy. hope you doing ok and see you soon.

[JAYNC]

I am actually in California right now for training but will be back around the 23rd. Its up to you where we go, doesnt matter to me. I just like fishing and would do it full time if I could get paid for it. So you have a few weeks to decide on the spot and I am sure the cats will be eating better when they dont feel so hot, and are wanting to get fat for the winter. See you soon Jason

[JAYNC]

How did the Cape do in the last hurricane, how long did it take to stabilize. I just hope that thing blows offshore and doesnt ruin our gathering

[stephennc2003]

I live just outside of Evergreen and me and my Dad have been wanting someone who knows the Cape Fear to help us out. By help I mean give us some ideas on where to go and what to carry. We both love catfishing, but never have any luck. He just turned 66 on 9-11 and I told him I saw that you lived in E-Town and are very knowledgeable on the river and he said to contact you. Maybe someday we could meet up and talk about the river. Possibly even go fishing. Like I said, he's 66 and just retired after 48 long hard years of being a truck driver and he is very eager. But now I drive the truck and I'm not home as often as I would like. He has a double wide Jon Boat with a 40 Evinrude, maybe you two could go sometime if you were free. He is always free now he says. He just can't handle putting the boat in and out by himself. Thanks to everyone else who has any good info as well, I'm a new member and this site is awesome!!

[joe0580]

anytime you need help i be more than happy to help you. i am thinking of moveing soon back to high point so not really sure about this. but i can give him spots and tell him where to go and the types of baits to use. whatever info he needs is here for the asking. but i am off on both sundays and wed. of each week so maybe he can meet up and we can try something. the best baits i have found for the cape fear are shad (both american and hickory), eels, bluegill and anything you think you might work. you have to have faith in a bait for it to work. now on spots to fish i try to find deep hole s with other holes near by and fish above the shallower hoel and cast into the deep one. usually 20 feet and deeper for larger hole and anything from 10 to 18 feet for shallow hole . hope this helps some. you can call me and i give you any and all info you want. call me at 9108720772 for them time. i should have a new number soon. thankx and good luck

[JAYNC]

Joe, are you still going to the gathering or are you moving before that.

[joe0580]

still going to the gathering. not sure when i will move may be around first of year ok. when are you headed back to nc? le tme know something

[JAYNC]

I am soppsed to get back around the 27th or so, then the race is on to get the boat outfitted for the trip. My rodholder brackets are still on backorder but we will make it work. I just got new battery boxes that I have to install, then an onboard charger, and have to mount the fire extinguisher and throw cushion and the gps mount. Lots of stuff in little time. I also have to put new line on all my reels, since I have been using the same line for the last couple months. Talk to you soon,.

[Southernraised84]

Jay we should be fine this hurricane shouldnt do have to much affect on our gathering the rain is gonna help more then it would hurt.

[JAYNC]

Thats good to know, I have been looking forward to the gathering for quite some time.