Saltwater Fishing Report for Wilmington Topsail, Carolina & Wrightsville Beach (Easter 2013)
HAPPY EASTER! HE has RISEN, but the Water Temps have not….
As many of you know, the start to Spring has been a CHILLY one and has the Spring “Push” of Fish just a couple weeks behind the typical year. The cold nights have certainly made an impact on the water temps; however, we are finally starting to see a steady climb up! As of this morning, (Easter Morning) our water temps have risen about 3 degrees to 55 degrees (A jump from last week as the cold rains of last week have cycled out with the tides and made way for the water temps to climb).
Wrightsville Beach, NC Fishing this week has been fair to Slow. There are catchable whiting in the surf and Sheepshead, Black Drum & Tautog on the Wrightsville Beach Jetties right now; however, the absence of the baitfish (Menhaden & Mullet) due to the unseasonably cold water temps have delayed the Bluefish, Flounder and Red Drum from really making an impressive showing to date. I fully expect this to change within the next week or so as we are forecasted to have several days in the mid 70’s which WILL bring the bait inshore!
Carolina Beach, NC Fishing this week has been fair to okay. There have been decent catches of Whiting in the surf with the occasional Black Drum mixed in towards Kure Beach& Fort Fisher using Fresh Shrimp. The Carolina Beach Boat Basin has given up a few Specked Trout, Red Drum & Black Drum, most of which are holding under the Deep Docks and are feeding on Fresh Shrimp. Be sure to be patient and find good structure to fish on. The water temp in the Carolina Beach Boat Basin was reading 56 degree’s (It won’t be long till it’s at that magic 62 degree baitfish friendly water!!)
Topsail Beach, NC Fishing this week has been fair to okay. Similar to the fishing conditions of Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Beach is getting off to a delayed start as well. There have been some good catches of Trout both along the marshes of South Topsail Inlet and up past North Topsail toward the New River Inlet where there are a few baitfish due to that estuary with decent catches of Flounder, Drum & Trout. Bottom line: Find the Brackish water when we have a delayed spring and fish it hard… Use the slow approach and mix up your presentation with both “Fresh as you can get” Shrimp, Artificials & Finesse Baits. You will do much better where there is baitfish activity.
Wilmington, NC Fishing this week has been good. This is the only fishery I would rate as good right now as the Cape Fear River is on fire with good catches of Black Drum, Red Drum, Flounder & Catfish! The Red Drum are holding (and Feeding) along the Marsh Grass and Spoil Islands in the Cape Fear River. Use finesse Baits on a Gamakatzu weighted hook with your favorite swim bait! Don’t forget to add ProCure (Shrimp Scented) to all of your soft plastics as this will make the fish HOLD ON. The Black Drum are concentrated along the Docks mid river and Creek mouths. Look for old docks with lots of pilings and structure then throw a piece of FRESH cut shrimp as close as you can to the structure and get ready… They were really chewing this week! Don’t Forget to Fish Every Creek Mouth this time of year as the gamefish are also holding in the washout areas. I like to fish the last two hours of the falling river tides when targeting the creek mouths. There are still good number of Striped Bass to be caught! Fish the old docks along the NE Cape Fear River with finesse baits and Rapala X-Raps!
ProFishNC Charters Spring Tip 101: For all of the Inland Folks that are coming to the coast to Fish, take note of your local Wal-Mart Parking lots. Why you may ask… Well, using Mother Nature as a guide, if you still have seagulls “camped out” in the Inland Wal-Mart Parking lots, the Inshore water temps are still cold and is an indicator of the baitfish being absent (for the most part) from our Inshore Creeks, Inlets & Backwaters; therefore, the “Push” of game-fish has not fully taken place. Once you see the Seagulls have left your Local Wall-Mart Parking Lots, its FISH ON! Of course, with the local knowledge of a Guide, we will be able to put you in the best position possible to catch a fish when the water temps are still colder.
Our Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Topsail and Wilmington, NC Fishing Charters are booking quickly for this summer! Be sure to Book a Fishing Charter early to ensure we can lock in your date.
Tight Lines & Hope to see you on the water!
Capt. Trev
ProFishNC Charters
(910) 547-0000