Southport April 12, 2007
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that spring fishing is off to a solid start. Whiting (up to 1 lb.) and black drum are hitting shrimp fished on bottom rigs.
Bluefish have shown up, and plug casters are catching loads of them. The best bluefish action has been between an hour before and two hours after high tide.
A few flounder have been caught already. With the rising water temperatures, fishing for them will only improve. Fishing live baits, like mud minnows, will produce the most flounder.
Speckled trout fishing will also improve as the water warms, and anglers can get in on trout action by casting grubs.
The water temperature at the pier is up to 64 degrees.
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports that spring fishing is off to a good start, and it will continue to improve as the water warms up. Look for speckled trout and red drum to be feeding in the Elizabeth River, Lockwood Folly River, and Wildlife and Dutchman’s Creeks. Flounder fishing is improving in the creeks and rivers as well, but most fish are undersized for now.
Spot and whiting are moving in towards the beach and into the river.
Snapper bluefish will be showing up in the river channel and on nearshore structure soon. Troll 00 size Clark spoons or cast small diamond jigs or Hopkins spoons around diving birds and breaking schools of fish.
Atlantic bonito should make an appearance soon, and a larger size 1 or 2 Clark spoon will get bites from these tasty fighters.
Cobia, kings, and spanish mackerel will be moving closer to the beach as April progresses.
When the wind lies down, Gulf Stream anglers are catching yellowfin and blackfin tuna, big wahoo, and a few dolphin. Ballyhoo rigged under pink/white and black/purple skirts are the standard bluewater baits, but don’t be afraid to include lures like Green Machines and Yo-Zuri Bonita plugs in the spread.
Mike, at Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that yellowfin tuna and wahoo are keeping Gulf Stream anglers busy. Trolled ballyhoo will get attention from the tuna and wahoo, and the bite has been most consistent near the Steeples.
King mackerel are returning to spots they haven’t been in a while, so boats no longer need to go 40+ miles to get into the kings.
And a handful of speckled trout are coming from Bald Head area creeks.
Billie, at Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that whiting have shown up on the beach and in the Cape Fear River channel. Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs are irresistible to the whiting.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are biting in Davis Canal, St. James River, and behind Bald Head Island. Some undersized fish are mixed in with the keepers. Live baits, particularly mud minnows and shrimp, have produced the best results.
The yellow butterflies are in the air, and that means that king mackerel will be soon be moving closer to the beach.
Jimmy, at Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that trout are biting all over the place, with good catches coming from the St. James River, Oak Island Bridge, Wildlife and Dutchman’s Creeks, and Davis Canal.
The speckled trout are running between barely keeper size and 3-4 lbs. Anglers have had success on a variety of lures, including curly tails, Trout Killers, MirrOlures, Yo-Zuri plugs, and DOA and Halo shrimp. Fishing the artificial shrimp beneath a float is particularly effective.
Red drum of all sizes are mixed in with the trout in the creeks, and they will attack the same lures.
Flounder fishing will be getting good soon, and some fish up to 5 lbs. have already been landed.
Whiting are schooled up in the Cape Fear River and on the beach.
Offshore, grouper and black sea bass are coming from the Horseshoe and other structure in the 25 mile range.
