SE NC report: redfish action and possible trout kills

[jeffreyweeks]

Plunging water temps have been the story inshore for southeastern NC, but despite the cold the backwater redfish bite continues to be strong.



Redfish in the 25 to 30 inch class are back in the shallows and schooled up thick. Fishing guides and other anglers are using cut mullet or Gulp lures to get them to bite.

Lures must be fished extremely slowly to get redfish to hit, and the scented baits can't be beat. If all else fails cut mullet or cut shrimp will take the red drum.

Water temps range from the mid to upper 40s and any two days of decent weather will start the redfish biting again.



Meanwhile, there have been sporadic and unconfirmed reports of speckled trout kills in the area due to the cold weather, while to our north and south there have been some confirmed trout kills. No one yet knows how significant these trout kills might be.

Surf fishing is currently offering up only skates and the occasional dogfish shark. Inshore redfish remain the primary target of active anglers.

For more fishing articles and links see my blog A Dash of Salty and my website Surf and Salt.