Wrightsville Beach – March 2021
Matt, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the red and black drum fishing inshore has been good if you can find the schools. Target docks around deeper water and holes back in the marsh behind the barrier islands. Gulp and other small, scented soft plastics will work when fished slowly, with live mud minnows or fresh shrimp being another great option.
There hasn’t been a ton of speckled trout caught recently, but they have all been quality fish. The trout should become more active as the water warms up in March.
Surf fishing has been pretty slow, with the exception of some slot-sized redfish, speckled trout, dogfish, smaller sea mullet, and croakers. March should bring in both large and small bluefish, along with more red and black drum.
The nearshore trolling game is pretty much non-existent this time of year, but anglers will be on the lookout for bluefish and Atlantic bonito as it gets into late March and early April.
There are still some opportunities for nearshore bottom fishing (if the wind will lay down). Nearshore ledges and ARs should be holding some sheepshead, tautog, black sea bass, as well as a few red drum and black drum.
Further offshore, keeper black sea bass should be stacked up out in about 80’ of water. Kings should be biting out around the Tower, but the weather hasn’t cooperated to get there recently.
March is traditionally a great month to be trolling in the Gulf Stream. The fishing can be outstanding for big blackfin tuna, wahoo, and sailfish. It is going to be important to check the SSTs when a weather window does come around, as there is a lot of mixing going on right now. The jigging can also be great for blackfins, amberjacks, African pompano, and a variety of snappers.
Scott Bowen with a 24″ speckled trout caught on a popping cork and live shrimp while fishing the surf on Masonboro Island.
Ben, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that red and black drum are holding down most of the inshore action as they feed around docks and deeper holes in the basin. Carolina-rigged shrimp has been the top producing setup, with plenty of anglers also getting action with soft plastics.
Speckled trout fishing has been slow this winter, but there should be more reports of successful trips as the water temperatures warm.
It is still early in the season to see the inshore fishing fire off, but as the water warms, all the above species get more active in their feeding patterns.
Striped bass are being caught in good numbers in the Cape Fear River. Most of the action has been from structured ledges and holes in the downtown area and further upriver.
Nearshore anglers are anticipating seeing bluefish arrive around the inlets sometime in the next few weeks, and as long as water temperatures start to trend up towards 60 degrees, it’s possible to see bonito showing up along the beaches and nearshore structure.
Offshore anglers have been landing wahoo and blackfin tuna when they’ve found a window to make the long trip.
African pompano are biting well over structure along the break. Slow-pitch and Roscoe jigs have both been enticing strikes.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that anglers should expect strong redfish action in March, as the reds continue to remain schooled up throughout the inshore waters. Targeting areas around boat docks, oyster beds, and the backs of mainland creeks have been most productive. Coming out of the cold winter temperatures, fishing fresh shrimp on Carolina rigs will be hard to beat, with mud minnows and cut bait also getting action. Those anglers sticking with soft plastics will have success with Z-Man shrimp on Blue Water Candy jig heads.
Black drum are holding in the same inshore areas around creeks and structure. Fresh crustaceans (such as crabs and shrimp) fished on the bottom are the most productive setups.
Speckled trout will also begin feeding well again once water temperatures tick up a bit. Look for the action to pick up around area inlets and creeks as the trout look for bait pushing in. Any artificial minnow and Z-Man or D.O.A. shrimp imitation lure will be great choices to locate bites.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers look forward to conditions improving over the next few weeks. Weather cooperating will allow for more runs to the Gulf Stream, where wahoo and blackfin tuna will be the main targets on trolling trips.
It is about time to have the opportunity to catch tuna with poppers and larger 7” stick baits. Both blackfins and possibly yellowfins can be schooled up over structure and enticed to strike the artificials in this unique fishery.
African pompano can also be caught by jigging over deep structure.
Art Morton with a 9.75 lb. striper that fell for a white jerk shad. He was fishing the Wrightsville Beach area with Capt. Jamie Rushing of Seagate Charters.
Mike, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that dogfish sharks are being caught with chunks of mullet on Carolina rigs.
Large whiting are starting to show up for anglers fishing shrimp on bottom rigs, and a stray speckled trout or two have also been picked up on the bait shrimp.
Going into late March, the bluefish should begin to arrive for anglers both fishing bottom rigs and casting jigs.
Red drum, black drum, and speckled trout tend to have a little push in the spring, but much depends on water temperatures going up.
