Good day to everyone. The weather is starting to finally get right; we are having more warm days than cooler ones. The forecast has warmer days for the rest of the week, a little cool today though! Wind wise a little better everyday, we’ve finally started to get out on the ocean and chase those Bonita’s around. Let’s talk about that.
Those high speed Bonita’s are showing up, good numbers should show up any day now. The Bluefish are mixed in with them too. We’re catching them by trolling and casting. The trolling rigs that we’re using are; a number one planner with thirty to forty feet of forty pound mono leader. Tied to the leader is a Clark spoon in size’s 0, 1 and 2, I like to use the gold and pink flash Clark spoons. Troll them about five to six knots.
If you would like to try casting or jigging for the Bonita’s, I use Maria jigs. They do have a price tag on them, but when the bite is tough these jigs will pay off! Maria’s that I have the best luck with are size’s seven and fourteen grams. The fourteens are easier to cast. Colors to use; green, blue and pink seem to work the best for me.
The Speckled trout have decided to bite from time to time the last few weeks. Most fish are coming out of creeks and channels around the waterway and inlets. Best bet for the trout so far has been grubs, working the grubs slow in holes and drop-offs. The grubs I like in the spring mouths are Saltwater Assassin sea shad in 4”. Colors silver mullet, chart diamond, and salt/pep shad. I like to use shrimp (Bang) scent in the spring too, this helps because there is not much bait in the water yet. I don’t use a lot of scents for Trout, but in the cool spring mouths it can really help.
Redfish are schooling good in the surf and the ICW, when we get a nice day we get out and get’em. They are pretty easy to catch; you just got to find them. That part can be a bit harder, trust me! A sunny, light wind day and good polarized sunglasses are the keys to catching these Reds. Grubs seen to be the easy go to bait for the Reds. Saltwater Assassin (Blurps) in pearl and molting colors work very well. You can use jigs heads, 1/4 and 3/8 for casting. Color of the jig heads is not a big deal red and black work just fine. Hold on tight, they fight great even in cool water!
We are catching a few Flounder as well. The flounder are biting while we are fishing for Reds and the Trout. Grubs work just fine to get these guys. Gear used: Reel Pflueger Infusion 7635SS and 7640ss, Rod: Ugly Stick Lite 7’0″ Med light and Med act. Line: Ugly Braid in 15 and 20 pound test. Thanks for taking the time to read this report, get out there and go fishing! If you would like to go with me check out my web page www.captainjot.com and or give me a call 910-233-4139.
Capt. Jot Owens
Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139