Added on Thursday, March 21, 2019  Fish Post

Southport/Oak Island – March 21, 2019

Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that the action has been fairly consistent through the winter months, and anglers can still find drum and trout in the backwaters.

The surf zone is producing trout as well, along with whiting, some puffers, and small bluefish, which have just started showing up. The bigger blues will be heading toward the beach soon, and spanish mackerel should be right behind them.

The 30 mile range is holding some nice black sea bass on the bottom, while anglers venturing further out toward the Gulf Stream have been bringing back big catches of wahoo.

 

Tim, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have been chasing whiting and are catching them in good numbers in the usual places off the beach and in the creeks. For the whiting in the ocean, bait shrimp, sand fleas, and sand flea Fishbites have been drawing strikes, while cut bait has been working for the inshore fish.

Trout have been plentiful, though mostly small. Soft plastics and mud minnows are both working. Red drum are chasing mud minnows and soft plastics as well, while black drum are biting shrimp.

There have been a few sheepshead around, but that bite should get better over the next few weeks as the water temperature increases.

Offshore, trolling anglers are finding kings on Drone spoons, while bottom fishing has been producing triggerfish and black sea bass.

Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the mild winter has been conducive to a fantastic trout bite on the warmer, sunny days. Along with the specks, red drum and flounder are starting to feed in the creeks. Carolina-rigged finger mullet or paddle tails will produce strikes around docks and oyster beds. The whiting bite has been on and off over the last few weeks. With water temperatures in the mid-60s, though the best inshore action is right around the corner.

Offshore, the king mackerel bite has been pretty typical for the winter, with school-sized fish holding on rocks in 100’ of water. Offshore water temperatures have been unsettled for the last month, and warmer water has pushed further east/southeast than is typical for this time of year.

The flat days have produced some big wahoo, but good numbers of fish have been hard to come by.

 

Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Charters, reports that inshore trout have been small but plentiful. They’re hitting artificial plastics both with a cork and without.

Red and black drum are biting cut shrimp on the bottom.

The sea mullet bite is picking up in the river, with small pieces of cut shrimp getting the most attention.

Peanut pogies are starting to show up more in the evenings.

Offshore, kings and wahoo have been biting on the troll, with blackfin tuna mixed in. It shouldn’t be long before the mahi bite starts up thanks to the warmer water moving our way.

 

Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that this has been a slow winter overall. Backwater fishing has been hit or miss when searching for speckled trout. There are plenty of small fish around, though, and Vudu shrimp and Gulps will give the best shot at connecting with one.

Whiting and pufferfish are biting on the beach.

Black sea bass are biting offshore in the 60-80’ range, but the bigger ones will be moving out to the 80-100’ range as warm water moves inshore. Schooly kings are chewing around the Tower, with the occasional big fish mixed in. That bite will start moving toward the Horseshoe as the water warms.

Wally, of Oak Island Charters, reports that whiting have been showing up in the Cape Fear River, and there are plenty of red drum in the creeks. Off the beach, spanish mackerel should start showing up mid-April due to how warm the water has been, and king mackerel are currently holding in the 40 mile range.

 

Lynn, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that pier anglers have been finding action from trout, black drum, and puffers.