Southport March 11, 2010
Bob Williams, of Arlington, VA, with a stringer of black sea bass he hooked on squid while fishing off Southport with Capts. Butch and Chris Foster on the "Yeah Right II."
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that this winter’s brutal cold and precipitation will soon be behind us, and a new fishing season will be right on the heels of the cool weather.
Right now, anglers can find fast action with spiny dog sharks at nearly any nearshore structure within 15 miles of the beach. These smaller sharks make for excellent eating, and anglers should have little trouble coaxing them to bite bottom rigs baited with squid, cut baits, or virtually anything else.
Bottom fishing a bit further offshore (80’+) has been producing black sea bass, grunts, pinkies, and a host of other bottom feeders. Anchoring up on the down current side of the offshore structure generally produces the best results. March and April typically produce some of the largest sea bass of the year, and anglers are already landing plenty of the big ones. Like the dogfish, the sea bass and other bottomfish will readily take an interest in squid, cut baits, and other baits.
As the water temperatures rise over the end of March and beginning of April, anglers can look forward to the annual brief appearance of the Atlantic bonito. These fish will pop up at nearshore structure suddenly, feed voraciously for a few weeks, and then move on to waters further north. When they show, anglers can hook up with the bonito on diamond jigs and other metal casting or jigging lures, or while trolling a variety of small spoons and plugs.
King mackerel should be making an appearance around Frying Pan Tower sometime in the next month, and when they do anglers should have little trouble hooking up while trolling dead cigar minnows.
The Gulf Stream season generally gets into full swing around mid-March, and anglers making the run to the blue water can expect some action with wahoo and blackfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna, dolphin, and billfish may also be in the Gulf Stream mix right now. Dragging skirted ballyhoo or trolling lures will attract attention from these pelagic predators.
Jason Sutton, of Wilmington, with a 20" black drum he hooked on shrimp in the Fort Fisher surf.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that despite the recent cold weather, anglers have been finding solid action with puppy drum in the backs of area creeks. Gulp Ghost Shrimp in chartreuse have been the hot bait for the pups so far this year.
The speckled trout bite has been slow of late, but as soon as the water hits 55 degrees (it’s in the high-40’s currently), the specks should turn on. Good early season trout lures include chartreuse D.O.A. shrimp and salt-and-pepper grubs.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that red drum are feeding in the usual areas on both the Southport and Bald Head sides of the river for this time of year. The creeks and shallow flats are the most likely places to encounter the reds, and scented soft plastic baits should draw them to bite. As the water warms up, the drum bite should improve further.
Some speckled trout are around the river area, but the bite’s been a bit slow lately. As with the drum, once the water rises a few degrees the speck bite should turn on.
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that the inshore water temperature is around 46 degrees and needs to rise a bit before the fishing will really turn on.
Offshore, king mackerel have been scarce of late, but boats landed several blackfin tuna (in the 25 lb. class) last week around Frying Pan Tower.
Anglers looking for a serious battle should have little trouble finding some action with amberjacks at offshore structure in 100’ or deeper.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that the action’s been pretty slow due to the cold water lately, but warmer weather should bring some action to the pier. Anglers can hope to see some whiting, croakers, and bluefish once the temperatures rise a bit. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will attract their attention.
