As has been the case now for several weeks, winds, rain and rough seas have hampered anglers wanting to head offshore, or even off the beach, for some angling fun. Surf fishing also has been hit or miss due to the rough-sea conditions, but when anglers can fish it, they are coming up with pretty impressive catches. Pier anglers are having some luck, but that, too, is hit or miss depending on conditions, which leaves mainly the inshore fishing grounds. Those fishing these areas are reporting good catches of fish from just about all locations. Water temperatures have cooled into the upper 70s and the fishing should get even better as the days progress.
Large red drum, many over the slot limit, have been cruising the surf line and anglers surf fishing for them have managed to catch and release a few fish over the past week. Anglers targeting these fish have scouted their areas and set up near the deeper holes and sloughs, spending many hours soaking baits just to have that chance at a large drum. Many have fished for hours with no luck while others have had some success. Fishing for large drum in our local waters takes a lot of patience and a lot of luck, but the fish are there for those willing to spend some time fishing for them. Smaller drum are also being reported as are a few speckled trout. Anglers fishing with shrimp are reporting plenty of Virginia mullet, some pompano, spots and croakers. A few keeper flounder have also been caught.
Pier anglers are getting into the action with the drum, with a few larger fish being caught from piers to our north and south. Keeper-sized red drum have been reported in the suds along with plenty of bluefish. Keeper flounder are coming from along the pilings and shrimp is catching some spots and croakers.
Inshore, the fishing is really picking up and the fish are getting fatter feeding on the abundance of baitfish that has infiltrated the creeks and waterway. Docks are holding good numbers of red drum and can be teased by both live and artificial baits. The cooler waters have made the fish more energetic, making them a little easier to catch. Reds may also be found in the creeks and around the inlets. Flounder fishing is also doing extremely well in the inlets and creeks with plenty of large fish reported. Most of the larger fish are coming from the Cape Fear River but some anglers have managed a few citation-sized fish (more than 5 pounds), in our local waters during the past week. The weather looks decent for inshore anglers for the upcoming weekend and I anticipate plenty of good reports filtering in during the coming days.
