Carolina Beach – March 24, 2016
Wes, of Island Tackle, reports that the spring fishing is really starting to pick up in many of the creeks and backwaters around the lower Cape Fear River. The red drum bite has been hot in these areas, with some of the best catches coming from live shrimp on Carolina rigs. DOA paddle tails in root beer color as well as Gulp shrimp in the new penny color have also been very effective.
Good catches of black drum are happening in the same areas, and the preferred method has been cut shrimp on jig heads and Carolina rigs.
The Virginia mullet bite has really started to pick up around the lower Cape Fear River, with solid catches of fish in the 1-2 lb. range. Double hooked bottom rigs with cut shrimp or sand fleas have been the best way to catch the mullet.
In the surf, some speckled trout are being caught around dead low tide. MirrOlure purple demons and Blue Water Candy curly tails have been effective on the surf trout.
Boats making it offshore have been reporting catches of wahoo and king mackerel around the temperature breaks. The Blue Water Candy Jag-A-Hoo has been a solid bait for wahoo and kings, and trolling skirted small ballyhoo and cigar minnows has been effective in putting fish in the boat.
Darlene Hinton, of Burgaw, caught this 41 red drum that fell for a 5 mullet near Carolina Beach.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that there has been both red and black drum action around the lower Cape Fear River. Before the recent cold snap, the water temperature was up to the mid 60’s, with some of the shallow areas showing water temps up to 68.
The shallower flats have been where many of the reds have been schooled up, and they have been taking an interest in a variety of Gulp baits on 1/4 oz. jig heads. White shrimp and other white soft plastics with chartreuse tails have been doing particularly well.
Trout have been in the same areas, but they’re further up in the creeks and in the deeper water. The trout are taking an interest in the same Gulp baits as the drum.
Brian Caithness with a 42 lb. king mackerel he hooked while fishing off Carolina Beach Inlet with Capt. Rod Bierstedt of OnMyWay Charters.
Luke, of TopWater Guide Co., reports that there is some good red drum action in the lower Cape Fear River. For the reds, spinnerbaits and Down South soft plastics with Pro-Cure on 1/8 to 1/4 oz. jig heads have been the go to bait.
The striper bite upriver has also been consistent. To get the stripers’ attention, Storm 4” shad have been quite effective.
Red drum have also been found lately in the creeks and bays in the northern areas towards Masonboro. Spinnerbaits as well as Down South weedless jerk shad on jig heads are a good bet on getting strikes.
A few keeper flounder have been caught in areas off the waterway and closer to the inlet.
Sean Turner, of Wilmington, with a striped bass he caught in the Cape Fear River on a soft plastic. He was fishing with Capt. Jamie Rushing of Seagate Charters.
Jesse, of Ocean Stinger Charters, reports that wahoo and blackfin tuna are being caught in the Gulf Stream. Areas such as the Same Ole, Yellowfin Hole, and areas east of 23 Mile Rock have been providing water temperatures between 68-72 degrees, which is ideal for catching these Gulf Stream game fish this time of year.
For the wahoo, running #2 planers deep and far behind the boat (at least 200’ away) has been a good tactic since the fish are a bit line shy right now.
For the kings, gold/silver ECO spoons, deep diver Bomber plugs, and dead baits are what’s working right now.
For the tuna (that have been mixed in with the wahoo and kings), bright colored yellow, green, and blue combo deep diver Bombers used on the outriggers have been bringing in the most blackfins. Keeping the lures far away from the boat right now is key.
Linda Clodfelter, from Salisbury, with a red drum she caught while fishing with Capt. Jeff Wolfe of Seahawk Charters.
Rod, of OnMyWay Charters, reports that lots of sea bass from 6 miles out are being caught, with larger fish in the 15-25 mile range. King mackerel are in the 35+ mile range, with the water at 68 degrees just inshore of the tower. As the warmer water moves further in, the kings will move closer to shore, too.
Out in the Gulf Stream, there has been a solid wahoo bite at the temperature breaks in 140-175’ range, with schools of blackfin tuna in the same areas. Trolling pin rig ballyhoo with Blue Water Candy skirts in blue/white, red/black, black/purple, and black/orange color combinations are the best ways to hook into the wahoo and tuna.
