Wrightsville – March 26, 2015
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers have seen some improved action with speckled trout and red drum along the ICW near Wrightsville over the past week. Most of the fish have been feeding in the marshes and creeks off the mainland side of the waterway as the dark, muddy bottoms tend to hold higher water temperatures than the oceanside. Betts Halo Shads and a variety of Gulp baits have been producing most of the action with both the reds and trout.
Richard Walton, of Seaview Pier, with a near-5 lb. flounder that bit a Gulp Shrimp off a Wrightsville Beach dock.
More red drum and some black drum are feeding under local ICW docks, and anglers are hooking both while soaking cut shrimp and crabs around the structure.
Anglers venturing into the ocean are reporting action with keeper black sea bass at spots 10 miles out and further. Some decent numbers of tautog have been mixed in with the bass in the 10 mile range, and both are taking an interest in metal jigging lures like Stingsilvers.
Larger sea bass are looking for meals around structure in the 80’ depths and deeper.
The king mackerel bite is improving where anglers can find water 68 degrees and above, and some nice catches came from the 35-40 mile range last week. Dead cigar minnows, strip baits, and Drone spoons will all attract attention from the kings when they’re feeding offshore.
Bottom fishing along the break has been productive recently as well, with more black sea bass, triggerfish, grunts, and plenty of other fish. Squid, cut baits, and small jigs will all produce action with the bottom feeders.
Working larger vertical jigs along the break itself is producing plenty of action with amberjacks and African pompano, along with a few cobia.
Trollers found some excellent wahoo action last weekend (with several double-digit catches). Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling the wahoo and some blackfin tuna feeding in the same areas.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers found plenty of action while vertical jigging at spots in the 50-60 mile range last week. The most productive spots have been in 150-250’ of water, where anglers are hooking big numbers of amberjacks, almaco jacks, and African pompano.
Blackfin tuna are feeding just offshore of the break and falling for vertical jigs and topwater baits, along with more traditional trolled offerings. Finding the fish feeding on the surface or solid marks on the depthfinder is key to hooking up with the tunas on jigs and poppers.
Wahoo fishing was also excellent last weekend, with trollers landing big numbers. Both skirted ballyhoo and diving plugs like Mann’s Stretch 30’s have been tempting bites from the ‘hoos.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action while working small metal jigs and dropping baited bottom rigs around structure in the 10 mile range. Black sea bass and tautog have been pouncing on both offerings, although anglers have to weed through the short sea bass in order to get to the keepers. A better ratio of legal to short fish are feeding at spots in 80’ and deeper.
Red drum are feeding in the surf near area inlets, where anglers can tempt them to bite soft baits like Gulps or gold spoons worked along shoals and sandbars.
Boaters fishing the Cape Fear River continue to connect with some striped bass while working soft plastic baits along drop-offs and around structure near downtown Wilmington.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite has turned on in the 40 mile range off Wrightsville, and boats put together some solid catches last weekend. Anywhere anglers can find 65+ degree water and some bait is likely to be holding some kings this time of year. Trolled cigar minnows, strip baits, and spoons will all fool the mackerel.
Ryan, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are starting to see some action with croaker and sea mullet while bottom fishing from the pier. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action with both panfish, and the sea mullet bite should improve as the water temperatures climb in the coming weeks. Some short flounder and plenty of dogfish and skates are mixed in with the mullet and croaker.
The water is 58 degrees.
