Southport – March 24, 2016
Angie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are connecting with some bluefish, whiting, and pufferfish with cut shrimp on bottom rigs. Whiting are also being caught around the mouth of the Cape Fear River with some nice-sized fish in the mix.
Speckled trout and black drum are being caught back in the local creeks. Gold colored Rapala X-Raps (in sizes 8 and 10) have been the way to go for connecting with the trout, and cut shrimp on bottom rigs have been a great way to hook up with the black drum.
A little further offshore, there has been a solid black sea bass bite, with Yaupon Reef and other areas 3-5 miles off the beach producing plenty of fish. Cut squid and diamond jigs have been the best ways to connect with the bass.
David Park, of Southport, with an over-slot red drum caught and released near Bald Head using live bait. He was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that there has been a good trout bite in the local creeks, Davis Canal, as well as around the Oak Island Bridge. Gulp baits, MirrOlure MR17s, as well as a variety of other soft plastics (especially those with curly tails) have been producing a majority of the early spring trout.
Some flounder have been caught around the Southport waterfront area, with most short but a few keepers mixed in. Fishing live mud minnows has been the way to get these early season flounder to bite.
Around the pigfish grounds and the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the Virginia mullet have started to show up. Fishing cut shrimp and sand fleas on double hook bottom rigs has been the best bet.
Around the Jay Bird shoals, the bluefish have reportedly shown up, and right behind the bluefish (usually a week or two) we can expect to start seeing spanish mackerel and bonito making their spring appearance.
Henry Seyller, from Mooresville, and Josh Brainerd, of Oak Island, with a limit of black sea bass caught just south of the Cape Fear sea buoy while fishing with Capt. Mark Greene of Angry Pelican Charters.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the recent black sea bass bite has been on fire in the 8-10 mile range. Double hooked bottom rigs with 2/0 or 3/0 circle hooks baited with soft plastics like artificial squid in chartreuse, pink/white, and blue/silver color combinations are a surefire way to connect with the bass. When the bite slows, try coating the jigs in Pro-Cure squid oil.
The water temperature was 65 degrees just off the beach. If this warming pattern continues, we will start to see some bluefish just off the beaches, as well as some king mackerel in the 15-30 mile range. The larger spanish mackerel will not be far behind.
Wally, of Oak Island Charters, reports that there has been some solid sea bass action out in areas around 15 Mile Rock and the Horseshoe. Jigging Stingsilvers on the bottom has been the most productive method.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that there has been a good amount of bait and birds working out off the beaches. This is a good sign that the spring fishing is about to improve, and with the rapidly warming waters, we can expect the action to heat up a couple of weeks early this year.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports some whiting, bluefish, and pufferfish coming over the rails, with the water temperature currently holding around 60 degrees.
