(Finally) is this week's word; finally the weather is warming up. Finally we are starting to see more fish inshore; FINALLY!!! We have been waiting all winter for weather like this; let's hope it stays this way and spring is really springing! With the warmer weather we are starting to see and catch more fish around the area waters. Let's talk about that in this week fishing report.
I know I have talked about them all winter but the surf Redfish are still there and going pretty strong most days we can get to them. On Tuesday 3-9, we had a good day; we went 16 for about 25 bites. Six of the Redfish were over the slot, with the biggest coming in at 33"; not a bad (winter) Redfish! The Reds were hitting Saltwater Assassin grubs in colors 10w40 with lime tail and Copperhead. They also were hitting Berkley Powerbait 5" jerkshad in the color Golden Sardine. We were using 3/8oz red jig heads, with 20 pound Stren gunsmoke tinted fluorocarbon leader material. The water was pretty clear that day and the fish had seen a lot of lures.
The local fresh water fishing has picked up lately with catches of large mouth bass and catfish. On winder days we have gotten out on the river and some of the local lakes. The best luck we have had for the bass has been worm fishing; Carolina and Taxes rigging. I've been using a new worm lately by Berkley; it's the Powerbait Heavy weight series in 5" and 7" Fat. The colors that are working well have been; Grn Pumpkin/Wmln, June bug and Watermelon. We have also caught a few Bass on MirrOlure 17MR series in colors red back and silver.
Catfishing has been up and down, some nights fifth teen or more catfish but some nights just a few cats. Most catfish are hitting chicken levers and Berkley Gulp blood/shad dough. We are using 2/0 EC bait holder hooks with forty pound mono leader about eight to twelve inches long and a ¾ to one ounce river sinker (Carolina rig). Fishing at night has produced the best numbers and biggest catfish. Now that the weather is warmer, night fishing is not too bad.
Speckled trout fishing should really start to fire off very soon with the warmer weather and water temps. In the spring I like to throw quite large list of lures. The reason for this is; I've found that trout are eating different kinds of baits in different places IE creeks, channels and inlets. With bait being a little short in the spring, they will hit about anything. Presenting the bait can be the harder part; the reason for all the different baits! Here is a list of what works for me in the spring.
MirrOlures; 17MR and 27MR in colors: 18, 50, BCH, BKGCH, BNSBO. Catch 2000 20MR & Catch 2000jr 22MR in Colors 18, 808, BNS, CH. I use these styles in depths of one to five feet of water. Classic 52M & 52MR in Colors 18, 19, 23, 808, CH. MirrOlure Series III S52MR in Colors 18, 808, BCH, BNGBO, GR. I use these styles in depths of four to ten feet of water. These color codes are right from MirrOlure's web site. www.mirrolure.com
Soft plastics: Saltwater Assassin Sea Shads, (4) four inch size. These colors are for clear blue/green waters; S&P SLV.PH/CHART.TL, CHART. DIAMOND, PINK DIAMOND, GREENBANK SHINER, CRYSTAL SHAD. Dirty, Stained or River water Colors: CHICKEN ON A CHAIN, PUMP SEED/CHART. TL, TEXAS ROACH and MORNING GLORY. In shrimp pattern soft lures I prefer Berkley Powerbait shrimp in colors pearl white and natural. I rig all these soft baits with 1/8oz to 1/4oz jig heads in colors red, gray and black.
There has started to be a Black drum and small redfish (rats) bite the last two weeks, most days we are catching six to over ten on a half day. This type of fishing will get better very soon. Most of the drum are biting around docks and creek mouths in the ICW. The best bait has been fresh cut shrimp in small pieces. We are using small two hook drop rig, with a number 2 bait holder hook and one or two oz bank sinkers.
Fishing Gear we use:
Reels Penn Conquer and Sargus spinning in sizes 2000 and 4000. Spiderwire
Ultra-cast braid in 10 and 15#. Rods: Ugly stick lites 6'6" and 7' Med & Med-Heavy and the All Star ASR spinning rod ASR844S and ASR845S.
In Other Fishing News:
Don't forget; there are some great boat and fishing expos coming to North Carolina. If you like fishing and boats you don't want to miss these shows and fishing seminars! Here are the one's that myself as well as other Ranger boats pro staff members will be at this winter.
March 20-12, 2010 Cape Fear Wildlife Expo, at the Coastline Convention Center. http://www.capefearwildlifeexpo.com Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy two days of hunting and fishing exhibitors, wildlife art, decoys, boats and accessories, truck and ATV displays, Hunter Safety Certification Class, fly fishing demos, camping, guides, outfitters, sportfishing simulator, contests, archery demos and fun for the entire family.
April 23-25, 2010 Tex's Tackle Spring Tackle Sale and Show. I'll be there with PENN Reels and Pure fishing. We will have some of the new Tackle from Penn and Pure Fishing, if you have any questions about any products from Penn or Pure fishing we'll be happy to answer them for you.
June 5-6, 2010 "In the Water Fishing School" Myself, Capt. Rick Bennett
and four other of the best local guides are putting on this school on. This school will be real-time hands on fishing experience! There will be one day of hands on classroom instruction and the next day on the water, real-time fishing experience. The school is limited to the first 24 participants! If you want to learn from the best local guides and see how we do it, take the time to check it out; http://www.rodmancharters.com/inthewater-fishing-school.htm I'm really looking forward to being part of this school!
Thanks for reading this report, if you would like to go fishing drop me a line. Don't forget that special winter rates end on March 31st, so if you have cabin fever and want to get out on the water; give me a call. Book now for this coming summer fishing season and don't forget to take a kid fishing!
Good Luck,
Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
PENN Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139
