Archive for March, 2009
« Previous EntriesFinally Fishing
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009After spending Saturday at the Cape Fear Wildlife Expo and talking fishing all day and especially following a week where I had to cancel several trips because of the winds, is it hard to believe I was ready to get out on the water?
With decent weather Sunday and a stellar seas forecast for Monday, I was determined to fish for something, so I rode down to Oak Island with a friend to fish some spots from shore where I’ve had good luck on trout in Marches past. Though we put in an effort, we were unable to come up with a speck or anything else with fins, but I’m pleased to report we did see some shrimp moving around in the backwaters, so I imagine the trout are there too, and we just couldn’t find them feeding.
Sunday’s highlight was getting a call from Capt. Rick Croson asking if I wanted to go offshore jigging on Monday. Excitement rendered me speechless for a moment, but when I found my voice, the answer was of course a resounding yes.
When I woke up this morning, it took a few minutes before my back, biceps and forearms could function, and they’re still burning, even under the strenuous exercise of sitting at a computer. After a day of fighting dozens of amberjacks from 5-60 lb. up from 170′ on light jigging gear, along with groupers, African pompano, cobia, and others, I imagine even an Olympian would be feeling sore, so I don’t feel too bad.
The trip also ended up being a day of first catches for me. I nailed my first (and second, and third) African pompano, a cornetfish at least 5-6′ long, almaco jacks, and a gorgeously colored red/orange coney grouper.
Rick had been telling me that if we went before the end of March, he could put me on an African, and he fulfilled that promise three times over, with about 15 other species thrown in. Definitely the coolest trip I’ve been on this year, and I hope to put up a few pictures when I get them.
Spring’s nearly here. Anybody ready?
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009With the days getting longer, I know I’m not alone among anglers who can’t wait for 2009’s fishing season to get revved up. I’ve had a few successes lately, but I’m absolutely longing for the days when a quick wading trip after work is a virtual guarantee of a flounder dinner.
While wind and work have [...]
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Cofish Foul Weather Gear 2009
Thursday, March 12th, 2009For the serious fisherman, bad weather is a fact of life. Even one who carefully watches the weather forecasts and fishes only on the nicest days will eventually find themselves facing a sudden storm or a forecast that is a long way from matching the actual conditions.
And fishing only on the bluebird days will rob [...]
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Wrightsville Beach March 12, 2009
Thursday, March 12th, 2009Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore anglers are finding some drum feeding around deeper docks and in the channels near the inlets. Live mud minnows, cut baits, and soft plastics worked very slowly are producing the best action with the reds.
There are also some large schools of reds cruising the surf line along the [...]
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North Mrytle Beach March 12, 2009
Thursday, March 12th, 2009Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that the shallow water red drum bite in the area has kept anglers bending rods over the winter. Super shallow draft poling skiffs are necessary to reach the fish, as they’re feeding in areas where even normal flats boats have difficulty going.
Most of the action is coming from [...]