SE NC Report: redfish and early spring fishing

[jeffreyweeks]

Strong redfish action continues in Brunswick County while a few early season speckled trout and flounder have been added to the mix. The piers have seen some whiting (sea mullet) action which should pick up soon along with the addition of the season’s first bluefish.



The redfish bite continues to be the most reliable action, as they have been hitting inshore consistently throughout the winter and should be available until the schools break up a little bit when the water gets really warm. Live bait such as mud minnows or cut mullet will work but it is easier and more fun catching them on the scented soft baits like Gulp or Fishbites. Jigs about 3/8 or ¼ ounce are perfect for working the shrimp, pogy or fluke style soft baits.

Speckled trout have started to hit in the backcreeks and waterway behind Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach but most have been small. Fishing for trout is still a catch and release only effort as we are in a closed recreational season until at least mid-June. Schooling trout will hit the same scented soft baits as redfish, especially the shrimp-imitations worked under a popping cork when the tide is running in the creeks and along the marsh grass.

Flounder have also appeared although most of them are also short of the new 15-inch size limit. Flounder will hit live mud minnows trolled or drifted in the inlets and will also strike around on the bottom around any hard structure inshore. Gulp scented soft baits will take them fished very slowly on the bottom near structure, sometimes the movement of the tide is about all you need but most anglers work them with a few jerks of the rod tip at the time.



Remember when fishing artificial lures for flounder set the hook immediately and don’t wait as the flounder will spit the lure out most of the time instead of keeping it in their mouth like live bait.

The piers have had scattered whiting (sea mullet) action with anglers using fresh cut shrimp or Fishbites bloodworms. Whiting often hit well around sunset on a moving tide. Flounder will soon begin biting in the surf as well and anglers using plugs or cut bait should start picking up bluefish soon. Surf fishing is still mostly dogfish and skates with a few whiting and small flounder.

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

[jaybyrd83ecu]

Sweet. Looking forward to things heating up.