We have had some crazy weather here in the Cape Fear area. Snow, ice, and highs in the low 30’s and a few days later highs in the low 70’s. That has been the norm this winter but we’re still catching some redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, and a few black drum. Hopefully this weather pattern will get back to normal and the fishing should stay good through the rest of the winter. Last winter February turned out to be one of the better months for reds, trout, and black drum.
The redfish bite has been good on most days. We are catching most of our reds on shrimp and mud minnows pinned to jigheads. We have also had some good days fishing artificials with Gulp Shrimp and Swimming Mullets working best. Most of the reds have been in the slot with a few under and over slot reds in the mix. The redfishing should remain consistent through the remainder of the winter.
We have caught some nice speckled trout recently on soft plastics. The Voodoo and Gulp Shrimp in pearl and chartreuse has worked the best for me on the specs. The trout fishing will be a catch and release fishery only through June 15th due to the recent cold stun kills in the creeks of the Pamlico Sound.
There are still a few black drum hanging around some of the creeks and docks. Fishing shrimp pinned to jigheads and carolina rigs have put some of these great eating fish in the cooler. There are also some stripers being caught in the Cape Fear River around Wilmington.
Thanks for reading the report and check out the photos from the last month. Spring is right around the corner and I can’t wait. If you are looking to book a trip please do so early, as people with spring fishing fever will be booking come March.
Thanks,
Jeff Wolfe
Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters
North Carolina Inshore Fishing Blog
910-619-9580
This video was shot in December of my son Christian and his friend Todd. They had a good day of redfishing in the backwaters of the lower Cape Fear.
1st Place Junior Angler and 2nd with most Stripers tagged at the 2014 Cape Fear River Watch Striper Fest.
