Added on Thursday, March 12, 2009  Fish Post

Southport March 12, 2009

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that March is when the saltwater action will really get cranking in the area. By the middle of the month, Gulf Stream trollers should begin to see wahoo and blackfin tuna, with some dolphin and hopefully yellowfin tuna right behind them. Opportunities to hook up with billfish will become more frequent as spring wears on. Trolling ballyhoo under skirted lures is the best way to target the bluewater gamefish.

King mackerel should begin feeding around the Frying Pan Tower area by Easter, and they will only move closer to shore after that.

Bottom fishing has been solid over the past few weeks and will only get better as spring clears the unusually cold winter water out of the area. Because of the chilly water temps, anglers are having to go a little further than normal; however, they are finding good fishing west, south, and east of Frying Pan Tower.

Lately, the bite has been good at structure around 35 miles offshore, where anglers are landing some large sea bass, grunts, and pinkies. A few grouper are holding in the same areas. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits will all get attention from the bottom fish.

Closer to shore, bottom fishermen are encountering packs of spiny dogfish that are making it difficult to get baits to anything else.

March is typically when the bluefish show up along the beaches off Southport as well.

Atlantic bonito will follow the blues and appear along the beaches sometime around the beginning of April. Anglers can hook up with these speedy miniature tunas around nearshore structure while trolling small spoons or casting to breaking schools. The bonito don’t stick around long after they make their first appearance, but anglers can take comfort in the fact that spanish mackerel will be right on their heels.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that there are good numbers of red drum holding in Buzzards Bay, but it has been difficult to get them to bite lately. Fishing on warmer days offers anglers the best chance of success right now, but as the water temperatures rise over the next few weeks, the fish should become more active.

Gulp baits are outproducing other lures on the reds right now.

As the water warms up, king mackerel should be moving toward the beach from the areas far offshore where they spent the winter.

The speckled trout bite around Southport will also improve as the mercury rises, and anglers can start targeting the fish in Davis Creek and at other area hotspots with Gulp baits and shrimp imitations.

 

Angie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that not much has been going on lately, but anglers are catching a few red drum in the surf. Live mud minnows are producing most of the fish.

The speckled trout bite will improve as the water warms up over the beginning of spring. Spots like St. James Marina are good areas to begin looking for the specks, and anglers should be able to find some action while casting Gulp baits or D.O.A. shrimp imitations.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers have caught a few whiting and black drum since the pier re-opened in early March. Cut shrimp fished on bottom rigs are drawing bites from both species.

The water is 48 degrees, and anglers can expect the fishing to improve a bit when the temperature comes up over the next few weeks. Speckled trout are feeding inshore in areas such as Davis Canal, so they’ll likely be one of the next species available from the pier as they move out to the ocean.