Carolina Beach March 28, 2013
Wheaton Lefler, of Castle Hayne, NC, with a 17.5″ flounder that bit a Rapala X-Rap on a shallow flat near the mouth of Smith Creek.
Wes, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers are hooking some black drum and sea mullet in the lower Cape Fear River. The mullet are feeding along channel edges, flats, and drop-offs near the river mouth. Black drum are more likely to be holding near structure or in the creeks, and both fish will take an interest in fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
Some speckled trout are feeding in the Carolina Beach boat basin, but most are on the small side. The trout bite in the river has been a bit slow, but once the water temperature rises, the spring Cape Fear trout bite should kick into gear. A variety of soft plastic lures and suspending hard baits will tempt bites from the specks, and live baits like shrimp and mud minnows are also good options.
Red drum are feeding in the bays and creeks off the lower river, where anglers can tempt them to bite a variety of artificial lures or natural baits like shrimp and crabs.
There are also likely some reds feeding around docks along the ICW, but not many people have been chasing them.
Offshore, there’s still a decent wahoo bite in the Gulf Stream for boats making the run. Blackfin tuna are around as well, and they’ll both bite trolled ballyhoo and artificials.
The blackfins can also be taken on vertical jigs, which will also attract attention from amberjacks and other surprises (like cobia, African pompano, and a variety of bottom dwellers).
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding action with red drum in the creeks and backwaters off the lower Cape Fear River. Live mud minnows and shrimp are producing most of the fish right now, but anglers are also hooking up on D.O.A. and Gulp soft baits.
Will and Clay Creech, of Hickory, NC, with a pair of red drum they hooked at the same time while fishing a creek near Bald Head Island with Capt. Jeff Wolfe of Seahawk Charters. Fresh shrimp fooled the reds.
Black drum are feeding in the creeks as well, especially around oyster bars and other structure. Shrimp will also attract attention from the black drum.
Speckled trout are feeding in some of the same creeks and upriver closer to Wilmington. Soft plastic jerkbaits have been producing most of the trout, and the bite’s been much better on warmer days.
Sea mullet are feeding near the river mouth, and they can provide fast action for anglers fishing cut shrimp on bottom rigs.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that there’s been decent action with red drum and speckled trout in the lower Cape Fear. Anglers are hooking both on Gulp baits and split-tail jerkbait soft plastics.
Black drum are in some of the same areas, but they are much more likely to take an interest in fresh shrimp baits.
Bottom fishing with shrimp in deeper water near the river mouth is producing plenty of action with sea mullet.
Off the beaches, the nearshore structure is swarming with dogfish and black sea bass. Neither is a picky eater, so bottom rigs baited with shrimp, squid, or cut baits will attract plenty of attention. The bass will also strike small jigs, but anglers must remember they’re closed to harvest until June 1.
Anita, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that the pier will be officially opening for the year on March 29. A few early fishermen have been hooking some sea mullet from the end of the pier.
Mark, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that the pier will be open for the season March 29.
