SE NC Report: redfish action on fire

[jeffreyweeks]

The big fishing action right now is on the redfish, which are making a showing in different sizes just about everywhere. There are big red drum out at the jetties, slot-size and bigger redfish in the surf off the piers, and puppy drum and rat reds running the tide inshore.

For more info on catching and cooking redfish see my redfish page on Surf and Salt.

Many baits will work to take redfish but right now they are really keying on the mullet. The annual mullet blow is slowly cranking up and there are a lot of finger and corncob size mullet roaming around everywhere now: in the surf, in and out of the inlets, and inshore around the bridges and creeks. Redfish are schooling up in different size groups and following the mullet.



You can fish finger mullet to good effect on a lead head jig for redfish, and finger mullet on a fishinder rig will also be effective. Around the bridges and the jetties float rigs worked from boats can put finger mullet right into the feeding zone.

Redfish area also hitting many other baits: live shrimp, mud minnows, small pogies and pinfish, cut mullet, and cut shrimp all will catch them. There is a morning bite in the surf and an even better one after dark around the piers.



Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also following the mullet around and the action comes and goes with the passing schools. The piers have some Spanish activity when the water clears. There is also some chances for topwater morning action on Spanish and blues using topwater plugs around the mullet schools out in the inlets.

The biggest redfish are at the jetties which has been producing fish up to 20 lbs. Most of the redfish on the piers are slot size or slightly larger. Inshore there are lots of under-slot sized puppy drum.

Inshore flounder are around and fishing is decent. There are some very big ones around structure and some large flounder have been pulled from under the bridges and docks in the waterway. Boats trolling and drifting in the inlets are having decent action that should get better soon.

Speckled trout action is still mainly a morning bite around the creeks and at the jetties. Fall-type speck action has not really kicked in yet.

Black drum and sheepshead are around pilings inshore and at the piers for those fishing for them. There are whiting (sea mullet) and some pompano in the surf and a few spot. Surf and pier fishermen are watching for a dip in temperatures that will turn the panfish on.

For updated fishing reports and articles check out my blog A Dash of Salty