Topsail/Sneads Ferry – March 2023
Jerry, of East Coast Sports, reports that surf and pier anglers are starting to see some nice-sized Virginia mullet, pufferfish, and black drum while out bottom fishing. Over the coming weeks, water temperatures moving up should push more mullet into the region.
The backwater red drum bite has been incredible, with anglers finding these large schools to be feeding on cut mullet and striking a variety of Gulp soft plastics.
Some speckled trout are mixed in the inshore action, especially for anglers fishing MirrOlures and soft plastics in holes in the backs of creeks.
Offshore anglers have been finding really good action on black sea bass, with the deeper reefs holding the larger fish.
There are some early schoolie-sized kings around offshore, as they are moving in with the offshore water temperatures warming.
Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that a bunch of recent rain made the river action a bit more difficult, as anglers hope for some stable weather in March to kickoff spring fishing.
Fishing shrimp on the bottom has been great for anglers targeting some of the black drum staged up around the inshore hard structures. A bunch of smaller sheepshead are being caught in these same areas.
Speckled trout are around, but there are a lot of smaller “spike” fish that seem to be more active for the time being.
Red drum are holding in their winter schooling patterns, with fish being found under docks and on nearby flats. Sight-fishing reds can be really good in the early spring, requiring anglers to use very lightly weighed (1/8 oz. or less) soft plastics. These lighter baits will fall slower through the water column and provide less chances of spooking these already pressured and lethargic fish.
Over the coming weeks, anglers can start seeing some of these groups of red drum breaking off and staging up along ICW edges and creek mouths. The key on these early season trips is to target areas with bait.
Nearshore anglers will be keeping an eye on the Atlantic bonito action to kick off.
Ray, of Spring Tide Guide Service, reports that speckled trout have been one of the main targets for recent trips in these cooler months. There is a bunch of smaller fish around, with the keeper fish still really lethargic in these colder-water temperatures. Anglers will have the most success using light weight soft plastics to “flutter” in the strike zone to entice a bite.
There are some red drum in the shallow bays hitting soft plastics and Carolina-rigged shrimp.
Black drum are being caught back in the creeks around hard structures.
If weather patterns can remain stable, the Atlantic bonito should be arriving shortly. Anglers will have success trolling for them off the beaches, and then casting jigs at the schools when they come to the surface.
Daniel, of Surf City Charters, reports that the offshore runs have been producing some good wahoo and blackfin tuna action. Water temperatures (should March weather not fluctuate a ton) will hold these species for those catching a favorable weather window.
Anglers hope to see yellowfin tuna also making a showing this year, which could happen by the end of March and into April.
Nearshore structures, in the 7-10+ mile range, are holding plenty of black sea bass. There are some schools of Atlantic bonito also being found out in this range as they push towards the beaches.
When conditions off the beach don’t cooperate, anglers have found action on black drum, sheepshead, and scattered red drum while fishing around docks.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the black sea bass bite has been really good out in the 15-20 mile range. There are plenty of good-sized fish (to 20”) feeding on cut baits, with some of the larger fish being caught with jigs. There are gray snapper and porgies mixed in on these same structures.
Anglers running off the beach should be sure to have some casting setups ready as schools of false albacore have started popping up.
With the recent runs of warm weather, anglers look forward to seeing more false albacore moving in and bluefish being closer to shore by mid-March. Some Atlantic bonito could also make their arrival around the end of the month if this mild weather keeps in.
Robin, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that March fishing is very dependent on weather patterns, which can either jump start or dampen spring fishing. Anglers look forward to sea mullet and spot showing up in the coming weeks as they migrate into the area.
Puppy drum and black drum could also make a showing in this transition period, especially around the middle of the month.
Vinita, of Surf City Pier, reports that anglers are pleased to see some mild weather patterns sticking around as we move into spring. The nicer weather has allowed some decent action through what can typically be described as a tough time of year for fishing.
Smaller black drum and scattered small trout can be making appearances in the action over this next month, as well as other species that will be working their way into the region.
Sea mullet, blowtoads, and bluefish will also be a part of the mixed bag for anglers over the coming weeks.
Sean, of Seaview Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts have produced croakers and some scattered sea mullet.
There are good numbers of sharks around for anglers fishing cut baits.
Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the daily counts for the first big push of sea mullet to arrive. Bluefish also tend to not be far behind the sea mullet.
