Swansboro April 1, 2010
Josh Edwards and Nathan Dotson, from Winston-Salem, NC, with one of many red drum they hooked on the fly rod near Brown's Inlet. The fish fell for pink Troy Clouser Minnow flies while they were fishing with Capt. Rob Koraly of Sandbar Safari Charters.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the red drum that wintered in the surf off the area are moving back inshore as the water temperature rises, and anglers are finding them in the backwaters and marshes near the inlets. Gulp baits on jigheads are fooling most of the fish, and anglers should use the lightest jigheads possible, as heavier ones will foul in the mossy winter algae still coating the bottom. Fly anglers have been getting in on the red action lately as well, and pink Clouser Minnows have been producing most of the fish for the long-rodders.
The water’s still very clear, meaning the reds are skittish and somewhat difficult to approach, but the trade-off is that anglers can sight-cast to them on sunny days.
Speckled trout, smaller reds, and some flounder are moving out of the creeks and rivers, and anglers can find them in the narrow bottlenecks and the creekmouths depending on the tide and amount of recent rainfall. The presence of bait is key to finding the fish at this time of year, as there isn’t much around. When anglers can find a creek/river area with bait activity, the gamefish shouldn’t be far behind. Shrimp imitations, Gulp baits, and live mud minnows will fool all three species once anglers find the fish.
Off the beaches, black sea bass are feeding on the rocks, wrecks, and live bottoms a few miles and further offshore. Over the next month, the larger bass will be moving to structure further offshore.
False albacore are still feeding a good ways offshore, but the 80 degree days ahead should push them towards the beaches and inlets, where anglers can find them feeding on the surface or under diving and hovering birds. Small pink/silver or all black Maria Jigs and Stingsilvers retrieved quickly will entice them to bite, and anglers can also cast small soft plastic minnow imitations with success when the albies are keying in on smaller baits.
Jeff Domcik with a speckled trout that inhaled a live shrimp while he was fishing with Capt. Chris Sewell of Fishhead Charters out of Swansboro.
Jeff, of Fish’N4Life Charters, reports that nearshore structure (within 10 miles) is holding plenty of bottom feeders like black sea bass, ringtails, some tautogs, and some early summer flounder. Bottom rigs baited with squid and bucktails tipped with scented soft plastics will attract attention from all the bottom feeders.
False albacore are feeding on the surface in the same areas, and as April wears on, they will be joined by Atlantic bonito. Both fish will move closer to the beaches as the month progresses. Stingsilvers, other metal jigging lures, and double spec rigs will fool both fish when retrieved quickly just under the surface. If the fish are staying deeper, trolling diving plugs or deep-jigging with Stingsilvers will tempt them to bite.
Bluefish should be making an appearance in the surf, inlets, and backwaters any day now, and they will arrive in full force quickly after they show up. Anglers can find blues from 1/2-10 lbs. feeding around the inlet shoals and connecting channels, and they can be fooled with just about any soft or hard bait. Trolling 3-5” diving plugs will help locate the fish if birds aren’t giving them up by feeding in the area.
Rising water temperatures have pushed schools of redfish inshore from the surf, and anglers are finding groups of 50-100 fish feeding in the creeks and bays. Suspending lures, spinnerbaits, and soft baits rigged on light jigheads are tops for fooling the reds. The fish may also take an interest in topwater plugs.
Arron Brock (age 13), from Morehead City, with a 27", 8 lb. red drum he hooked in an Atlantic Beach canal on a live mud minnow. Weighed in at Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action with black sea bass at rocks and wrecks 5+ miles offshore. Bucktails and Stingsilvers will both fool the bass, and anglers should start out with one of each to determine which is more effective on a given day.
Wahoo and blackfin tuna are still feeding in the Gulf Stream when anglers can make it there, and trolling skirted ballyhoo or lures will attract bites from them. A few dolphin are beginning to show up as well.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are finding some action with red drum in the marshes behind Bear Island. Gulp baits are fooling most of the fish.
Surf anglers are seeing action with a few whiting and puffers, and the bite should improve markedly as the water temperature climbs toward 60. Shrimp on bottom rigs will fool both.
Blue water anglers have found some action with wahoo and blackfin and yellowfin tuna, but the weather hasn’t been very conducive to fishing the stream lately.
Patty, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are beginning to pick up some pufferfish and a few small speckled trout. With the coming warmer weather, the spring whiting bite is just around the corner. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will draw bites from the puffers and whiting.
