Wrightsville Beach March 2007
Justin, at Tex’s Tackle, reports that red drum fishing is good and getting better each week in the creeks and waterway docks. Some trout are mixed in with the drum at the docks, and Gulp shrimp in pearl and New Penny colors will fool both fish. Moving water is key to finding active fish at the docks, although whether the tide is rising or falling is not as important.
Sea bass are holding on structure in the 5-10 mile areas. Anglers are catching both gag and red groupers, with most of the action in 100+’ of water. As usual, live and dead baits are catching their share of grouper, but many anglers are experiencing great results fishing the new butterfly jigs.
King mackerel are in the 45-50 mile range, but will be moving closer to shore as the water warms up. Gulf Stream action has gotten started early, with boats reporting plenty of yellowfin tuna, as well as a blue marlin so far.
As the water temperature rises inshore, expect flounder and bluefish to show up in the inlets. Drift fishing is the best way to target the inlet flounder.
Mike, at Corona Daze Charters, reports action with red drum and big speckled trout (up to 8 lbs.) recently. The fish are spread out in the waterway between Topsail and Wrightsville, and both species are falling for New Penny Gulp shrimp on ¾ oz. jigheads. There are also a few trout coming from the Masonboro Jetties and the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin.
As the water begins to warm up, fishing for the big trout should get even better. The fish will be moving to creek mouths, sloughs, and the backs of bays. And they will be feeding heavily.
King mackerel are 40+ miles offshore right now, but they should be in the 10-15 mile range in the next few weeks.
Jim, at Plan 9 Charters, reports that grouper are holding around 40 miles offshore. However, since the ocean has been so rough over the past weeks, not many boats have been able to get out to them.
Large schools of red drum are in the surf zone in front of Figure 8 Island. The drum are in shallow clear water, so anglers can find them by sight and use long-casting lures such as Hopkins Spoons or bucktails to hook up with them.
Mike, at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports plenty of spiny and smooth dogfish biting shrimp and cut baits. Many anglers are surprised to learn that the little sharks are actually an excellent tasting species. Smooth dogfish of 11 and 14 lbs. were weighed in over the past week.
The warming ocean will bring croaker and whiting to the pier in the coming weeks, and fresh shrimp or frozen sand fleas are the best baits for the tasty panfish.
Bluefish traditionally show up at the pier during the first weeks in April. The 1-3 lb. blues will provide lots of action for anglers casting Gotcha plugs from the pier.
