Southport – March 22, 2018
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that a few whiting and black drum are being caught in the surf, mainly on bottom rigs with fresh shrimp.
Back in the creeks, the redfish bite has been steady, and the baits of choice have been fresh and artificial shrimp.
Also around the creeks and creek mouths, a few trout have been hooked. They’re falling for artificial shrimp and smaller MirrOlures.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that water temperatures along the beach are starting to rise into the 60s for the first time since December, and recent warmer days should begin to improve the nearshore action.
Black sea bass can be found on structure starting out in around 45’ of water, with more keepers being found in the deeper water. Anglers looking to target these fish should try a double bottom rig with offset or circle hooks and using a weight appropriate for the depth and current.
The whiting bite has been strong around the Cape Fear River mouth. Most of the action has been coming around tide changes, both the high and the low change. Double rigs with just enough weight to reach the bottom, along with small hooks and fresh bait, are the key to finding these fish.
Offshore, king mackerel are feeding well along the 100’ line in warmer waters. The majority are smaller, but there have been some 20-30 lb. fish mixed in.
Further out, the wahoo and blackfin are present, although rough weather has limited the days that anglers are able to reach them.
Miguel Addington, of Wilmington, with a couple of redfish caught while sight casting using Z-Man Jerk ShadZ. He was fishing with Bobby Downes near Southport.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that good numbers of redfish are being caught in the area. Many of the reds have been nice-sized (up to 24”). The best baits have been fresh shrimp and cut bait on Carolina rigs.
There have also been several black drum landed, although most have been right at keeper size or smaller. Fresh shrimp has been the key to catching these fish.
In 60-90’ of water, the black sea bass bite is steady, with the best baits being shrimp and squid on bottom rigs.
Further out, the same methods have produced good numbers of triggerfish.
The king mackerel bite has started to pick up as the water temperature increases. The best bite has come whenever anglers find water running right around 68 degrees, and the most successful baits have been spoons and cigar minnows.
In the Gulf Stream, blackfin tuna and wahoo are biting. They’re falling for lures and ballyhoo.
Harold Eickenholz with a scamp grouper that was caught bottom fishing 30 miles off of Carolina Beach. He was fishing with Capt. Rod Bierstedt of OnMyWay Charters.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that schools of small king mackerel can be found 30-40 miles offshore, most being caught while trolling planers with spoons.
The nearshore bite has been fairly slow, with most of the catch consisting of smaller black sea bass. Warmer days and increasing water temperatures should lead to more nearshore action.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that pier fishing has been fairly slow lately, with anglers connecting with a few small whiting and plenty of stingrays. The bait of choice for these fish has been shrimp.
