Inshore/Surf



January 26, 2012



Despite the cooling winter waters, anglers are still finding it worthwhile to hit the inshore waters of Southeastern North Carolina. Inshore anglers are finding decent numbers of both red drum and speckled trout, but the key lately has been to look shallow. The back of creeks, shallow bays behind creeks, and shallow flats adjacent to deeper water are holding the majority of the fish. A few anglers have reported little need to fish areas with less than two feet of depth. The specks are often near impossible to catch this time of year due to the water temp, however on warmer days they can be coaxed into taking Gulp Shrimp baits and Bass Assassin Sea Shads smeared with Pro-Cure, fished very slowly. The drum are biting similar baits, and a local favorite is the Gulp Shrimp in Pearl White. The slime grass has gotten pretty bad in many areas, so try to use a weighted hook instead of a jighead to reduce the amount that catches your bait. There are also some drum schooled along docks in the ICW, with mullet and live mud minnows being the most effective choice.

The Cape Fear River has been producing decent catches of striped bass, mainly from the downtown Wilmington areas up into the NE Cape Fear River. Trolling Diving Plugs and Lipless Crankbaits are good choices for locating schools of fish. Casting soft baits such as Calcutta Swim Shads and Gulp Jerkshads are effective once the fish are located, as well as along structure and shallower areas where trolled baits will snag. We remind you that this fishery is strictly catch and release only, and that no stripers may be retained for any reason in the Cape Fear River.

In the surf, a few anglers are reporting sightfishing opportunities for red drum, although it is a little slower than usual. Because of the mild temps, many fish are still inshore and in the creeks. While cut bait is a sure bet, anglers throwing DOA Cal Shads in Rootbeer/Chartreuse have been quite successful. Most of the schools have either been well North of the area, as well as a few to the South of Wrightsville Beach. Anglers are still catching a few black drum and blowtoads, although it has slowed lately and the skates and dogfish have moved in.

A reminder that this Saturday, January 28th, Johnnie Mercer’s Pier will be holding their Annual Dogfish Tournament. It may sound funny at first, but this has become a very popular event. In addition to the tournament, there will be raffles and plenty of food. It’s a great excuse to go to the beach in January, plus it never hurts to support local businesses in the offseason!

Nearshore/Offshore



January 26,2012

Nearshore, there is very little opportunity for anglers with the seabass season closed until June 1st. A few anglers returning from the gulfstream have reported seeing bluefin tuna jumping, but the over 73” class is closed. A few king mackerel as well as false albacore are being caught near Frying Pan Tower. Drone Spoons and strip rigs behind planers are a timeless proven selection, but they can be caught slow trolling cigar minnows on dead bait rigs as well.

Gulf Stream



January 26, 2012

Gulfstream anglers are still reporting good catches of wahoo, mainly in 150-200 feet near the Same Ole. A lot of fish are being caught trolling skirted ballyhoo, however as the water cools and the wahoo begin to spread out a bit, high speed trolling is a very effective choice. Trolling Blue Water Candy Jag-A-Hoos and Braid Marauders behind an inline trolling lead at 9-12 kts is a very effective choice and will cover a lot of ground. There have also been a few blackfin tuna reported by both trolling and jigging anglers. A few African pompano and amberjacks are being caught jigging, but it has been far from red hot.