51.7 F
Wrightsville Beach
Friday, March 29, 2024

Hook, line and sinker

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Despite the approach of the end of December, the fishing has remained fairly consistent for the past couple of weeks and looks to continue being decent into the New Year. Water temperatures are hovering in the mid-to-upper 50s and despite a few cold days and nights the past week, they haven’t fluctuated much, probably due to some warm days reaching into the upper 70s. Of course, any lengthy onslaught of cold temperatures could plummet the water temps and put on the brakes for the fishing, but even heading into the Christmas weekend, the weather doesn’t look all that frightful and could even border on delightful.

Speckled trout fishing continues being the main topic of conversation between anglers. Although some smaller fish have arrived, there have been plenty of keepers in the mix. Some larger fish have been reported coming from around the Masonboro Inlet jetties and also in the ocean but winds and rough seas arriving with the cold fronts have prevented fishing in those locations. Inside, the creeks and channels have been producing well. Soft artificial baits have been working and those utilizing live shrimp have been doing well. Just a note, if you’re using artificial baits and someone close by is using live shrimp, that will normally shut your bite down quickly, so find yourself another location away from the live baiters. Some red drum catches have also been reported in the creeks and around the docks using the same baits.

Johnnie Mercer’s Pier reports some speckled trout being caught on artificial baits along with some bluefish on Got-Cha Plugs. Fresh shrimp is catching some Virginia mullet and a few black drum. One angler managed to deck a 57.2-pound black drum over the weekend, breaking the pier record. From the beach, anglers are also reporting some good fishing for Virginia mullet with plenty of fish pushing the 2-pound mark as well as some black drum and puffer fish. Ocean conditions have been rough so anglers haven’t been able to fish other than a couple of days here and there the past week, but the fish are there in the deeper sloughs and holes when you can get to them.

For those looking for a last-minute gift idea for the fisherman in your life, the Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar Series is coming back to Wilmington on Jan.14, 2017. Tickets cost $55 and include all kinds of goodies, a subscription to Saltwater Sportsman Magazine, a chance at door prizes, including a 17-foot Mako boat and a Florida Keys Fishing trip, but best of all — fishing instruction by the best local anglers and guides in our area. This event normally sells and tickets are available at www.nationalseminarseries.com

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