ROFFER'S OCEAN FISHING FORECASTING SERVICE, INC.   TOLL FREE 800 677-7633 & (305) 262-8336 // 24 HR FAX 305 (265-9077)
ROFFS FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS FOR THE DRUM TO CAPE FEAR INSHORE (LAT./LONG.)
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Based on a multiple factor analysis, the symbols (hot spot dots) mark the areas where bait concentrations are expected and where fishing action is expected to be better compared with other (non-marked) areas. These are not based on dock rumors or hearsay fishing reports. Fishing reports are stated as such. You should start fishing where you recognize other signs of good fishing conditions near these marked areas. It is very important to use your sea surface temperature (sst°) gauge to locate the boundaries of the water masses, which are outlined. Rather than trying to find water based on the absolute temperature values shown on the map, search for the relative change in sst° where the water mass boundaries occur. Arrows indicate the main current direction. Numbers inside of the dots indicate the number of consecutive days that we have seen favorable conditions in that location. Afternoon sst° are likely to be 1°F - 2°F warmer than those shown here.  Bottom depths in fathoms (6 feet = 1 fathom).
           
We were able to observe this area clearly for the past four days.  The Gulf Stream water (78.1°F) is inshore in this area due to an offshore eddy. The wind direction has been steady (SW) for the past 24 hours, however, if the wind direction changes then the inshore water mass boundaries are going to become unstable and move.
            Cape Lookout: There are good conditions for kingfish action inshore along the warmer to cooler water mass boundary (2.0°F: 69.2°F - 67.2°F) over the Dump Site south of Beaufort near 76°43’W & 34°36’N, where conditions have been good for four days in a row. Similar good conditions for kingfish occur over Lookout Shoals near 76°31”W & 34°31’N and south over the 10 fathom ledge near 76°36’W & 34°27’N along the 2.0°F:  69.2°F-67.2°F water mass boundary where conditions have also been good for the last four days.  South, relatively good conditions for kingfish action occur along the same water mass boundary over the 10 fathom ledge and wreck area near 76°35’W & 34°22’N and east over the warmer to cooler water mass boundary (1.9°F: 67.2° - 65.3°F) where conditions have been favorable for the past two days (near 76°30’W & 34°22’N).  Good conditions also occur east of Cape Lookout along the warmer to cooler water mass boundary (1.8°F: 65.3°F-63.5°F) over the wreck near 76°20’W & 34°36”N and south over the 10 fathom ledge near 76°20’W & 34°27’N where conditions have been favorable for three consecutive days.  Just offshore of Bogue Inlet good conditions for kingfish action for three consecutive days occur over the wreck and buoy near 77°01-05’W & 34°35.5’N where there is a warmer to cooler water mass boundary (2.2°F: 69.4°F - 67.2°F).  Offshore, there have been favorable conditions for fishing action over the wreck near 76°39’W & 34°10’N along the relatively stronger water mass boundary (3.9°F: 65.3°F – 67.2°F – 69.2°F) where conditions have been favorable for the past three days. 
            Further offshore, a rare opportunity for a combination of kingfish, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, and billfish occur where the warmer Gulf Stream water is inshore of 30 fathoms
starting from over the wreck near 76°34’W & 34°04’N and continuing east along the strong water mass boundary (67.2°F – 71.4°F – 74.9°F) to over the good bottom near 76°13-18’W & 34°09’N where conditions have been favorable for two consecutive days.
            Cape Fear:  Conditions for kingfish are not as favorable in this area as they are in the Cape Lookout area due to a lack of strong water mass boundaries.  However, good conditions occur off Cape Fear along the 1.8°F:  71.2°F-69.4°F water mass boundary over the 5 fathom depths near 77°54’W & 33°53’N where conditions have remained good for three consecutive days.  Additional favorable conditions for kingfish action occur along the same water mass boundary over the 5 fathom ledge near 77°47’W & 33°40’N where conditions have been favorable for the last two days.  North, conditions have remained favorable for the past two days over the 10 fathom ledge near 77°20’W & 34°21’N and 77°14’W & 34°25’N along the warmer to cooler 2.2°F: 69.4° - 67.2°F water mass boundary. Offshore, condition have been favorable for kingfish for two consecutive days over the obstruction along the same water mass boundary near 77°24’W & 33°54’N.  Favorable conditions for a combination of tuna, wahoo, dolphin, and possible kingfish occur at the tip of the Frying Pan Shoals over the Horn and 10 fathom ledge near 77°31.5’W & 33°28.5’N where conditions have been good for the past four days.  Northeast, where the Gulf Stream is pushing inshore over 19-23 fathom depths, there are favorable conditions for a combination of wahoo, dolphin, tuna, possible kingfish, and billfish over the strong water mass boundary (69.2°F-77.2°F) starting from near 77°26’W & 33°28’N northeast to near 77°00’W & 33°46’N where conditions have been favorable for multiple days.  The remaining areas along the water mass boundaries over good bottom will only increase your chances for kingfish action relative to the surrounding areas.

We are closed Monday, May 30th for the observance of Memorial Day. Please remember to call us while fishing (between 10:30 a.m. and noon) so we can provide a free verbal update. Thank you for not sharing this analysis with non-paying fishermen. We survive on your honesty. Summer Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 9:00PM. We are open Saturdays 9:00AM-6:00PM (sometimes we close early based on demand and clouds).