No one could have predicted the warm spring-like weather our area has been experiencing the past few weeks, but you won’t hear the local or visiting anglers complaining one bit. Air temperatures reaching close to 80 degrees and water temperatures still hovering in the mid-60s are something that only Christmas wishes are made of, and it looks like Santa made those wishes come true a couple of weeks early.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, we are nearing the latter part of December and it’s only fit that the weather return to a more seasonable density, which should be occurring about the time you are reading this report. The weather will have some effect on the upcoming weekend, namely for the offshore anglers, but there should still be plenty of decent fishing for those wanting to fish the creeks and inside waters.
Offshore, the past weekend produced some of the most awesome seas that anglers have had the pleasure to fish in quite some time and those who were ready took full advantage of it. Plenty of king mackerel and even an few sporadic dolphin were found in the 20-mile range and were caught on both natural dead baits and for those who were more meat fishing, spoons and planers. The king mackerel were also reported to be very thick around Frying Pan Tower.
The bottom fishing was good starting around 20 miles out to around 30 miles. There were plenty of keeper grouper found in the shallower water, around 80 feet deep, which is standard for this time of year, but there were also lots of undersized black bass and other assorted unwanted species. Anglers had better luck finding keeper black bass in a little deeper water. Those heading further off toward the blue water found some decent action from wahoo and a few dolphin.
Along the beach, the fishing for Virginia mullet has been on fire with sand fleas resulting in the larger fish while fresh shrimp is also enticing some decent specimens. A few black drum have also been caught with a lot of small, undersized fish stealing baits. Bluefish and a few trout and red drum have been caught by those fishing for speckled trout with soft artificial baits and mud minnows.
Inshore, the fishing for speckled trout has slowed greatly with the influx of small fish and small bluefish. There are still some decent keeper fish being found but it is taking a lot of hard work and a lot of replaced baits to get fish for the cooler. Areas near the inlets and the lower Cape Fear River are better locations to try your luck with finding some keepers. A few red drum and flounder are still being found as well in the same areas but they are also becoming a little more difficult to find.
Until the weather turns really sour and winter-like, there should be plenty of options to wet a line and maybe catch a fish or two. Until that time comes, get out and enjoy some salt air.
