Added on Thursday, March 13, 2008  Gary Hurley

Topsail March 13, 2008

Chris, of East Coast Sports, reports that inshore anglers are finding a few trout in the creeks, where they’re falling for Gulp baits.

In the sound, black drum are holding around oyster rocks and other structure, and cut shrimp will get their attention.

Some red drum are feeding in the surf, and anglers can hook up with them on Gulp shrimp fished on jigheads.

The inshore fishing will only get better and better as spring progresses and the water temperatures rise.

Over the next month, anglers should begin to see Atlantic bonito and gray trout feeding around nearshore structure like Diver’s Rock. When they make an appearance, a small diamond jig will fool both species.

The grouper bite has been good (mostly for gags) from 25-30 miles offshore.

King mackerel are feeding around temperature breaks offshore, but not many boats are running out to where they are currently. Fortunately, the kings will be moving closer to shore as the water temperatures rise over the next month.

Boats have already landed a few yellowfin tuna in the Gulf Stream, and the big spring tuna bite should be starting soon.

 

Ricky, of Speckled Specialist Charters, reports that the New River speckled trout bite was good all winter and remains hot. Anglers have landed trout up to 6+ lbs. over the past week, and they have also been catching decent numbers of fish.

Storm and Billy Bay shrimp imitations are the top artificials, but anglers should also be able to hook up with some specks on topwater plugs on nicer days. Creeks off of the main river are producing the best action, and they should continue to be hotspots over the coming month.

A few red drum (most around 18″) are mixed in with the trout, and large schools of bigger reds are hanging around the shoals of Bear, Bogue, and Brown’s Inlets. The ocean reds are hungry and will pounce on nearly any artificial lure cast into the school.

 

Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are mostly catching sharks and skates right now. The pier officially opens for the year on March 19, and the first whiting landed from the pier after that date will win one lucky angler a free season pass.

If the past years’ records are any indication, anglers could also be seeing black drum and blue fish by the end of March.

 

Jan, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that sharks and skates are biting. As the water temperature rises, the next main action should be from whiting.

When temps reach the low 60’s (the water is 55 right now), bluefish and black drum should also begin showing up.

 

Frank, of Seaview Pier, reports that a few bluefish and blowfish have already been caught, but the majority of the action right now is with sharks and skates.

Anglers on the south end of the island are already catching some black drum and whiting, so it shouldn’t be long until pier anglers are hooking up with those bottom feeders.

The current water temperature is 53 degrees.

 

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that inshore anglers are catching red drum and trout in the New River on Gulp baits and Storm and Billy Bay shrimp.

The grouper bite has been good 20-40 miles off New River Inlet, where bottom bouncers are hooking up with gags, reds, and scamps.

King mackerel have been holding way offshore, around the Big Rock, but will be moving closer to shore as the water warms up over the next month. Cigar minnows or trolling plugs and spoons should attract attention from the kings.

The spring Gulf Stream action is just getting started, and boats are hooking up with yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphin around the Big Rock while trolling rigged ballyhoo beneath Sea Witches.