Wrightsville Beach March 28, 2013
Nick Savvas and Wilton Portela, of NY, with 39 and 37 lb. cobia they hooked on vertical jigs in 200′ of water while fishing off Wrightsville Beach with Capt. Mike Jackson of Live Line Charters.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout around Wrightsville Beach and the surrounding areas (with some fish approaching 4 lbs.). Soft plastics like Gulp baits and hard, suspending lures like MirrOlure MR17’s and Yo-Zuri’s 3D series are top choices for the trout.
Red drum are feeding around docks and on flats inshore. Casting Gulp baits or dead-sticking fresh shrimp or crab baits near docks will attract attention from the reds. On the flats, working Gulps and other plastics, spinnerbaits and spoons, and other artificials is the way to go.
A few flounder have been mixed in with the specks and reds and falling for the same lures. The flatfish action will improve as the water temperatures climb and April progresses.
Surf casters have been landing some healthy sea mullet off Wrightsville and they, too, will begin feeding more actively as the water warms.
Robbie, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers making the run to the Gulf Stream are still connecting with wahoo while trolling both ballyhoo/lure combinations and high-speed artificials.
Blackfin tuna are also feeding out in the blue water, and they will respond to trolled lures or vertical jigs.
A blackfin tuna takes to the air after attacking a topwater popper cast by Wilmington’s Chris “Demon” Hunt. He was fishing the break off Wrightsville Beach with Capt. Rick Croson of Living Waters Guide Service. Photo by Tony Del.
Jigging along the break is also producing plenty of action with amberjacks along with a few cobia, African pompano, and other surprises.
Closer to shore, anglers are connecting with some tautog and plenty of black sea bass at the nearshore AR’s and the Masonboro jetties. Shrimp will tempt plenty of bites from both.
Inside the inlets, red drum are feeding along mud banks, in marshy bays, and under docks, where some black drum are mixed in. Shrimp will tempt bites from both types of drum, and anglers can also hook up with the reds while working a variety of artificials.
Not many people are talking about speckled trout around Wrightsville. The bite’s been good in the Cape Fear River and around Southport, though, so there are likely some hungry specks closer to home as well. Soft plastic lures and suspending hard baits are some of the best bets for the specks.
Striped bass are still looking for meals in the Cape Fear River near downtown Wilmington, where soft plastics and diving plugs rank on the menu.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that the recent cold snaps and cool ocean water have the typical spring bite a few weeks behind schedule.
There’s still plenty of action along the break, however. Blackfin tuna and wahoo are on the feed in the Gulf Stream off Wrightsville, but the bite can be hit-or-miss. Trolling ballyhoo and artificial lures will tempt bites from both, and anglers can also connect with the blackfins on vertical jigs and topwater plugs.
Anglers are also hooking big numbers of amber and almaco jacks on vertical jigs, and a few African pompano and cobia are in the mix as well.
Noah Casteen (age 8) with a slot red drum he hooked while wade-fishing a dock near Wrightsville Beach.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that speckled trout are on the feed behind Figure Eight Island, and MR17 MirrOlures are tempting the trout to bite.
Some red drum are in the same area, and anglers are also connecting with the reds in the Cape Fear River around downtown Wilmington.
As the water temperatures climb a few more degrees, bluefish should make their spring appearance around Masonboro and other local inlets.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that there are plenty of dogfish and black sea bass at virtually any structure within 20 miles of the beaches for anglers looking for action. Grunts, ringtails, and other bottom fish are feeding in the same spots, and all will pounce on virtually any bait on a bottom rig.
Some false albacore are feeding in the 20 mile range off Wrightsville, and they’ll be moving closer to the beachfront as the water warms up.
Boats that made the run to the Gulf Stream this past weekend landed some wahoo and few blackfin tuna, so there’s action and meat to be had when the weather lays down enough for a blue water run.
Bryan, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that pufferfish and sea mullet are making up the majority of the catch right now. A few croaker are joining in on the action at night, and all are taking an interest in shrimp on bottom rigs.
The water is 53 degrees, and the bite should take off once it gets a little closer to 60.
