Morehead City March 13, 2008
Matt, of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors, reports that winter fishing in the area was overall quite good. The Cape Lookout Rock Jetty trout bite stayed hot all the way through January, with anglers landing trout up to 11 lbs. on mud minnows, Gulp baits, X-Raps, and Mirrolures.
Since then, the specks have taken up residence in local creeks and rivers, especially creeks off the New, Neuse, and White Oak. Although the bite has slowed somewhat, the fish are still holding off the rivers, and they should respond to the same baits listed above. The trout action will only continue to get better as spring weather raises the water temperatures.
All winter long, huge schools of red drum (numbering in the thousands) have been holding around Bear Island. Smaller schools are feeding in the marshes from Morehead down to Swansboro.
Gulp shrimp on leadheads and under popping corks, along with Billy Bay Halo shrimp fished slowly along the bottom, have been dynamite baits for the marsh reds.
As with the trout, rising water temperatures will only make the shallow water reds more active as spring progresses. The excited fish will then strike a variety of baits, including topwater plugs.
Towards the end of March and beginning of April, gray trout will begin to venture into the inlet, schooling up in the turning basin and beneath the high rise bridges. A spec rig tipped with shrimp or jigging spoon should prove irresistible to the grays.
Spot and whiting will also be concentrated in the turning basin, and a spec or bottom rig baited with shrimp or Fishbites will attract plenty of bites from these bottom feeders.
In the ocean, Atlantic bonito will soon be showing up not far from the beaches, especially around AR 315 and 320. Small spoons that mimic the glass minnows the bonito are feeding on are the best bonito lures.
Bluefish will also be plentiful along with the bonito, and they will strike nearly anything.
Offshore fishing, particularly for black and yellowfin tuna, will heat up toward the end of March and beginning of April. The area surrounding the Big Rock is an excellent place for boats to begin looking for the tuna. Cedar plugs or Tuna Treats, Islanders, and Sea Witches in front of medium ballyhoo should dupe the tuna into striking.
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Paul, of Freeman’s Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers should begin seeing increased numbers of blowfish, whiting, and red drum as spring progresses and the water warms. Shrimp and cut baits will get their attention.
Around New Bern in the Neuse River, anglers are reporting a mixed bag of striped bass, puppy drum, and sea trout.
A spring run of big king mackerel usually shows up around spots like the Atlas Tanker on the east side of Lookout Shoals in late March or early April.
Gulf Stream action is heating up, and boats are reporting yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphin from the area around the Big Rock. All these predators will fall for ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures.
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Shane, of the Fight-N-Lady, reports that the Gulf Stream is already on fire, with anglers landing dolphin, wahoo, and big yellowfin tuna (up to 90 lbs.). The boat has already hooked a blue marlin as well, so all the blue water players have shown up.
The best action so far has been just north of the Big Rock in 38-45 fathoms. Blue/white Blue Water Candy Mini Jags in front of rigged ballyhoo have been responsible for most of the action.
