Onslow Bay Angler Forum - Recent Posts

Anyone eat Barracuda?

Onslow Bay Angler — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:19:13 +0000

I have been all over the barracuda when using live bait over structure just curious to see if anyone has eaten them? they are fun to catch and I heard the smaller ones are pretty good but haven't tried it yet lol

Inshore Reds from the bank

Onslow Bay Angler — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:17:25 +0000

found some time to run down to a old bank fishing spot I haven't been in years and landed a slot red. shrimp, mullet, and blue claw crabs are thick in the shallows right now with a few reds feeding on them. didn't see any trout though...

it was nice to head to a old bank spot to change things up! anyone else having luck with the shrimp running?

RE: Where are the kings?

Onslow Bay Angler — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:20:42 +0000

that's wild catching a sea bass on the troll! Those fish are so aggressive sometimes they will hit anything but never expected them to do that. Also a plus that they are great to eat.

yes I tried divers and pulled some pogies around the buoy at NRI and nothing. I did manage some Spanish that were cashing glass minnows about a mile up the beach from NRI towards bogue. they were in about 25 ft of water. they were about 13-16 size fish.

I heard with these tournaments going on the fish are getting pushed around. I am going to keep working the beach until I find them. I keep hitting the same spots and coming up empty I think I want to try new areas.

RE: Where are the kings?

Ford2633 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 23:25:42 +0000

I was out trolling Saturday just out of New River Inlet and no kings or spanish. We even tried at Diver's Rock and still nothing. One crazy thing is did land a 14inch black bass on the troll, never had that happen.

Where are the kings?

Onslow Bay Angler — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:39:51 +0000

I have been putting some time in looking for the kingfish and it's been a struggle. I have seen a few here or there being caught off the piers but not huge numbers. Seems like they are getting a few up out of the Morehead city area not so much down by New River Inlet.

I spent some time trolling around Christmas rock didn't see much, normally I can find one or two hanging around there. I think I'm going to stick in closer in the green water to see if I can find them.

Any one having any luck?

RE: Are the Spanish still biting?

Ford2633 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:56:50 +0000

Thanks for the info. but I didn't make it down. Last weekend the winds were suppose to be high so stayed at home.

RE: Are the Spanish still biting?

Onslow Bay Angler — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 02:13:58 +0000

sorry for the late response, yes the Spanish bite has been really good! anywhere from 25-50 ft of water, both casting and trolling structure or birds. The past few trips I have casting around big bait balls near the inlets and doing pretty good.

Slack Tides just posted a video fishing out of Morehead city and he was all over the Spanish Mackerel.

the inlet is a different story, its passable but shallow and narrow. I would not recommend going at low tide if you don't have track. it's about 2.5-3 at low tide. after your make the turn along the beach its pretty much a straight shot to the buoy. this weekend will be nice, there should be a few boats running the inlet you can follow.

I didn't post a video but I found nice bait and Spanish right at the inlet buoy and about a mile north up the beach in 25 ft of water. Good luck!

Are the Spanish still biting?

Ford2633 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:41:49 +0000

Thinking about coming down this weekend and don't want to just burn fuel. How is New River Inlet?

Pair Custom 21

Onslow Bay Angler — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:58:40 +0000

I just walked this boat for the first time the other day. It was the first one I had ever seen in person and i have to say it's a beast of a 21 ft center console. Here is why.

It's truly a 23 ft overall length hull, not including the engine but it has the performance and economy of a smaller 21. The Mod V configuration giving the shallower draft while the deep V providing more offshore capability.

It's a true 3-piece construction with the boat i looked at having 5 in floor fish boxes. And the standard 27-gallon live well seen on Pair Customs other models.

the performance numbers with the 200 hp shows about a total weight as tested around 4900 lbs. Top speed of just over 50 mph. Getting about 3.8 mpg at 40 mph and over 4 mpg at 35.5 mpg.

I'm working on the edit now, if there are any owners out there, give us your thoughts!

Pair Custom 28 Offshore

Onslow Bay Angler — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:50:50 +0000

I had the chance to walk on one of these boats a few weeks ago. Hopefully if there is an owner they can chime in with some of their thoughts as well.

First impression of this boat is that it has a serious offshore bow, wide beam, and plenty of room to work lines in the cockpit area. It has a solid heavy feel and high gunnels.

The fit and finish is great. With the clean wiring behind the console really standing out.

The bow fish box is huge and capable of fitting some large tunas and mahi from an offshore trip.

It's a purpose-built offshore boat! you can see the walkthrough video here and let me know what you think.

https://youtu.be/SBgIxNYwsT8?si=dJosF3_nJlbCisHX