Jot Owens

What great weather for this winter so far; lets hope it stays this way right on to Spring time! With this great weather has come some of best winter fishing I've seen around here in a very long time. Even on the 'not so nice days' the fishing has been good and other days down right great; finally a milder winter for a change! Cool mornings and warm afternoons are hard to beat in Southeast North Carolina in mid February!

The Redfishing lately has been pretty good most days when the wind is not howling and we've seen some nice schools of Reds. Warmer, sunny and lower wind days can be the key to catching these inshore winter Redfish. It's not hard to catch them once you find'em, look for these Reds in creek with dark colored bottoms and oyster rocks never hurt. Scented soft plastics like Berkley Gulp should do the trick to get these Reds to hit. Patterns in Gulp like Shrimp in sizes 2" and 3" are my go too, colors that seem to work the best are pearl, molting and new penny; the new Fire tail colors work great too! Try lighter jig heads like 1/16 and 1/8 when winter fishing; lighter jig heads help you to work the lure much slower and still look nature as possible.

Surf Reds have been hit or miss; I believe that a lot of the Reds are still up in the creeks due to all the mild weather this season. I have caught a few good days of surf Reds when the weather is just right. Casting Berkley Gulp Ripple mullets on 1/4oz and 3/8oz jig heads in colors Rootbeer gold and New penny' don't forget that fluorocarbon leader this time of year the water is super clear!

I've made quite a few trips to the Cape Fear River year; there are three different kinds of fish to chase in the Cape Fear, Catfish, Striped Bass and even a hand full of nice Redfish most all winter long. Here is a few ways to put a CFR Striper on your line. Try Berkley Gulp Jerkshad in five and six inch size; in pearl & new penny colors. Work these baits slowly and always rig them weed-less; there are many hangs in the Cape Fear River. Try a Moaner swim bait hook with the Berkley Jerkshad; this is a great hook at a great price. www.moanerhooks.com I use the weighted Stroker hook in 1/4oz 5/0. Look for Stripers on drop-offs, dock pilings and reed-grass lines.

If you would like to give the Catfish a try, use baits like cut mullet, chicken livers and cut eel. I use heavy Carolina rigs when I fish for catfish. Try an Eagle claw L42 2/0 to 4/0 hook with fifty or eighty pound mono leader to make your carolina rig. Look for the catfish on drop-offs from five to twenty feet of water. We have seen some blue cats over thirty pounds caught in the river so try not to use to light of tackle; these are not always your 'farm pond channel cats'!

Tackle run down: Penn Battle Spinning reels sizes 3000 & 4000 for the Redfish and Striped Bass. Penn Legions in 6'6" & 7' medium and med/hvy action; line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifth-teen pound; Berkley Big Game Fluorocarbon leader for my leaders.

There are always plenty of boat shows, fishing tackle shows and fishing schools going on most weekends through the winter. Here are few I'll be at this winter.

February 11th, 2012 Fishermans Post Wilmington Fishing School. This school will be at the Coast Line Convention Center. I'll be there with other Fishing Pros and Guides speaking on many different topics of local fishing tips and techniques. Check out all the topics and info www.fishermanspost.com

February 18th, 2012-Cape Fear Christian Sportsman Fish Fest. www.capefearsportsmen.org/fishfest This is a great free event! I'll be speaking on two topics this year; Cape Fear River Striped Bass fishing and my very popular Working Hard Baits MirrOlures Etc. with success seminar. The class will be from 8am-4:15pm February 18, 2012 at Scotts Hill Baptist Church (185 Scotts Hill Loop Road, Wilmington, NC 28411). A light breakfast and lunch catered by Middle of the Island will be provided

February 24th & 25th March 2nd, 3rd & 4th Bass Pro Shops in Myrtle Beach, SC for there very popular 2012 Spring Fishing Classic. There will be lots of good sales and promotions on many fishing products. I'll be there with other top Fishing Pros giving fishing seminars, helping you find the right fishing products and answering any fishing questions you may have.

If you have any questions about the tactics I use fishing the local waters please e-mail me or catch me on Face Book at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Capt-Jot-OwensJot-It-Down-Fishing-Charters-LLC/134340373310487

Thanks for reading and good fishing to ya!

Capt. Jot Owens

Penn Fishing Tackle Elite Staff

Ranger Boats Pro Staff

www.captainjot.com

910-233-4139

Fish Species: Redfish, Striped Bass
Bait Used: Berkley Gulp Jerkshad
Tackle Used: Penn Battle Spinning, Penn Legion Rods, Spiderwire
Method Used:
Water Depth:
Water Temperature:
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Cape Fear Redfish
Cape Fear Redfish

Cape Fear Striped Bass
Cape Fear Striped Bass


Do you want to leave a comment? Login or register now to leave a comment.


No comments so far

Jot Owens

About The Author: Captain Jot Owens

Company: Jot It Down Fishing Charters LLC

Area Reporting: Southeast NC Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington

Bio: Captain Jot Owens, IV, born and raised in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, has been fishing the waters of the Cape Fear, Masonboro Sound and the North Atlantic Ocean for thirteen years. He began his career at the age of 15 commercial fishing for Grouper and King Mackerel. After the experience in commercial fishing, he began working as a Mate on a charter boat that specialized in offshore fishing for King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, tuna, Wahoo and billfish. During this time he made offshore rigs and prepared baits for the charters. In 2000, Jot began work as a Mate on The Fortune Hunter. During the six years Jot worked as a Mate, he was working towards his Captain s license. In February 2002, he achieved his goal of obtaining his Captain s license. Since this time, Jot has been the Master and Captain of the Fortune Hunter Too, fishing for trout, Red Drum, Flounder, Cobia, Tarpon and many other species. Today Captain Jot runs his own boat; the (Jot It down). Captain Jot enjoys everyday he is on the water and brings his passion for fishing to his customers by teaching new techniques and providing knowledge about the many different species of fish found on the East Coast. He looks forward to sharing with you the many fishing techniques that he is so passionate about.

910-233-4139
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Jot Owens