Winter doldrums, cabin fever, fishing deprivation —whatever you call it, if you fish, you are no doubt experiencing some, if not all, symptoms of the lack of fishing. Winter weather has once again plagued our area this week and conditions don’t look to improve much until late in the weekend. Fortunately the month is almost over and while March can also bring some intense freezing conditions, the days should start improving, although slowly.
Now this is not to say there’s not some type of fishing going on, but with snow and cold air temperatures, you’ve got to be fairly die hard to head out. If you do, you might be surprised what you have the possibility of catching. Areas to our north, mainly around the New River area, are still reporting some decent catches of speckled trout and some are even finding schooling red drum. If you’re not familiar with this area, hiring a local guide would probably be your best bet to put you on some fish and while not guaranteed, they might even be willing to work with you on their normal fee, considering they are most likely not booking up trips like they normally do during prime fishing season.
Closer to home, striper fishing is still a possibility in the upper Cape Fear River near downtown Wilmington. While fishing is not on fire like it was a few weeks ago, there are still some reports of fish being caught along the riverfront on swimming shads, bucktails and other assorted swimming hard baits. For more information on what’s working, check with your local tackle shop and they’ll be sure to put you on the hot bait.
Now this may not sound all that exciting for some, especially if you don’t like cold weather, so what’s one to do? I suggest every year that organizing your fishing tackle is a good idea, not only to help you when the fishing becomes more productive, but to help get your mind off of being cooped up. Making rigs, such as king mackerel, inshore drum rigs or offshore type tackle is also a good idea, namely because you won’t be up ‘til midnight or later the night before a fishing trip when you realize your tackle box is empty of what’s needed.
There are still some fishing schools on the books as mentioned in previous reports, as well as the Cape Fear Wildlife and Fishing Expo March 20-22 at the Wilmington Convention Center. Both fising and hunting seminars and demonstrations will be held throughout each day. Cost of admission is $10 per day for adults, $7 for seniors and military and children under 10 are free. A three-day pass is $20. For more information visit their website at www.capefearwildlifeexpo.com
