Southport – March 26, 2015
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that fishing seems to be turning on in the backwaters, and anglers can look forward to further improvement as water temperatures climb over the coming month. Most of the action has been in the creeks, where anglers are connecting with solid numbers of puppy drum and speckled trout along with a few early flounder (and even some keepers). Both live baits and artificial lures like jighead/soft plastic combos are fooling all three of the inshore predators.
Michael Carawan and Todd Spangler with a quintet of speckled trout they hooked off the Neuse River near Oriental. Photo courtesy of Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle.
Sea mullet have shown up on the mud flat off Caswell Beach, and anglers can expect the mullet action to improve as well when the water warms a bit. Cut shrimp pinned to double drop bottom rigs are all that’s needed to fool the hungry mullet, and anglers can frequently load coolers when the bite is on.
Brayden McMullan with a healthy black sea bass he hooked while bottom fishing in 80′ of water off Ocean Isle with his dad, Capt. Brant McMullan.
Bluefish should begin showing up within a few weeks around the mud flat and river mouth as well. When they show, the blues will bite nearly anything they can fit in their mouths.
Nesbit, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are actually seeing a few keeper flounder around Southport right now. They’re biting soft plastics and live baits, and most of the action has been in the warmer water of the creeks and shallow bays lately.
Red drum are also feeding in the shallows of local backwaters, and anglers who spend some time looking for the fish have been finding some decent action in recent days. The reds will fall for a variety of live baits and artificials, with Gulps and other soft plastics some of the best choices.
Anglers aren’t talking much about speckled trout, but warming water temperatures should have the spring trout bite just around the corner. Suspending soft plastics and hard baits are tough to beat for the specks.
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that offshore boaters found some decent king mackerel action around Frying Pan Tower early in the week while trolling cigar minnows, spoons, and strip baits.
Bottom fishing in the tower area has been producing some solid catches of black sea bass, beeliners, grunts, and other bottom dwellers. Squid and cut baits are the best bets for the tasty reef species.
Inshore, anglers are reporting some of the first bluefish action of the year on the Oak Island piers, and the fish seem to be biting both bait and lures (like Gotcha plugs).
Sea mullet have shown up around the mouth of the Cape Fear River and will only get more numerous as the water warms up over the coming month. Anglers can tempt the mullet to bite shrimp fished on double drop bottom rigs.
There’s been a decent speckled trout bite back in the creeks for local anglers, with the fish falling for a variety of artificial lures.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that Gulf Stream trollers found a solid wahoo bite offshore last week while trolling around blue water hotspots like the Steeples and Blackjack Hole. Most are falling for ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures like sea witches.
King mackerel are feeding a bit closer to shore around Frying Pan Tower. Anglers can tempt the kings to bite cigar minnows, spoons, and strip baits paired with sea witches.
Bottom fishermen have been finding plenty of action with black sea bass at structure from a few miles offshore out to the tower area. Squid and cut baits are tough for the bass to turn down.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp and other baits.
A few bluefish are beginning to show up as well.
