Onslow Bay Angler Forum - Recent Topics

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?

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?

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

MAD Morehead City 2026

Onslow Bay Angler — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:44:48 +0000

I had a chance to take out a few active-duty guys on a quick trip out of Morehead City. The wind was strong out of the south east but we made the best of it. I ran with the rest of the boats inside the hook of cape lookout. We managed a few bluefish, a flounder, and a couple of sharks on cut bait and trolling.

Had a nasty storm start brewing around 1230, so we made the run back across the ocean side. The winds picked up and I would say it was a honest 3-5 ft seas. but we plowed our way back to the dock before the storm hit.

The guys had fun and caught some fish and I'm looking forward to next year!

Big Rock Tournemnt

Onslow Bay Angler — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:37:18 +0000

Well... The recent forum update crashed the website, and I had to restore a previous version in order to salvage the forum. I lost all recent posts, so this is the Big Rock 2026 2.0!

I plan on bringing the kids up again this year to check it out, hopefully weather is good. I want to take the boat out a listen to the radio traffic during the tournament. Anyone know the channel its usually on?

04/29 report

Bogus-Inlet-Anger — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:27:16 +0000

Couldn't find any bonito near Bogue inlet on the way out. Checked the near-shore reefs/rocks with no luck. I think the water was about 65 or so. Switched to the bottom for sea bass beginning around AR342. Caught undersized fish here and at the other ARs as we moved further out. We were using both squid and artificials for vertical jigging. We used the same technique Onslow Bay Angler uses in his videos. After catching about 35 sea bass our group ended up with 8 keepers. Once we got away from the usual public spots and tried fishing lesser-known live bottom, we started finding much better size and volume. 60 feet of water gave the best results, and the jigs out fished the squid by a long shot. The biggest surprise of the say came from a cobia hitting the one of our jigs.

On the way back into the Bogue we found multiple pods of threadfin herring being worked by birds in about 35 feet of water. We trolled around this area but never hooked up or saw any notable fish activity. I haven't seen them like this before. Is this common and does anyone have any ideas of what would be after them this time of year?

Skunked at New River South East Creek

durtydan69 — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 20:15:50 +0000

Went out a little late this morning (around 11) to see if anything was biting in SE Creek near the air station boat launch. Fished for about 4 hours and caught absolutely nothing except for some vitamin D. Tried swim baits, spoon baits, and cigar minnows. Not even a nibble.