Cold-Warm-Cold-Warm; Weather and Fishing Around Wilmington, NC Report - The Hull Truth

Capt. Jot · 03-03-2009, 10:17 AM

Spring is Springing around Southeast North Carolina! Warmer weather is in the forecast and the fishing should start to really pick up. The weather has been nothing less then UP AND DOWN lately; I’m ready for SPRING!! So give me a call and let’s go fishing! Now to the fishing report>>>

With the weather getting warming the water temps are on the raise, which is a very good thing. Redfish are biting around docks and marsh grass drops in the water way and creek mouths. Most of the falling tide and the start of the raise is the best time to catch these Reds. Anywhere you can find the sun warming the water around docks, there should be some Reds close by. Keep your eyes on the water; we’ve seen some schools of Reds just off the ICW. They can be spooky, so stay low and try to keep quiet.

The Reds are taking scented Grubs and fresh bait like shrimp or mullet. The best bet for grubs are Saltwater Assassin (Blurps), these are some of the best scented grubs on the market! Colors I would recommend; Molting, Good Penny and Drunk monkey. The best jig head colors red and black these seem to work the best. Work the grubs slow, this will let the scent spread out more so the Reds can find the grubs.

A few Speckled trout are biting, same set up as the Reds. Try to find some fish warming up in the sun, on flats and oyster rocks. Work Grubs and Mirrolure’s very slow for these fish. Good colors for the trout are Saltwater Assassin salt & pep chartreuse tail and chart/diamond. If the water is a little stained try “Chicken on a Chain” grub color. These are some of my favorite colors. If you see the Trout on the bottom cast on the edge of them not right in the school. If you cast in the school it will scare them.

The large mouth bass fishing has been good the last couple of weeks and should get better as the weather warms up! We are fishing some of the local lakes and the North East Cape Fear River. Most of the bass are hitting Bass Assassin rubber worms in the color red shad “red andblack”. Rigging the worms Carolina style seems to work the best. We’ve also caught a few on wacky worms, fishing them very slow.

Fishing gear we use:

Redfish, Trout and Bass: Pflueger Medalist spinning reels in sizes 7035 and 7040. Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ rods in med-light and med action. Bass fishing Pflueger Supreme spinning reels 9030XT and an All Star ASR series rod 7’ ASR844S “great fresh water combo”!

In Other Fishing News: There are a few great boat and fishing expos still coming to North Carolina. If you like fishing and boats you don’t want to miss these shows and fishing seminars! Here are the one’s that myself as well as other Ranger boats pro staff members will be at this winter.

March 21, 2009 Saltwater Fishing School Saturday, 2615 Jefferson Davis Hwy (US 1 South) - Sanford, NC. www.northcarolinasportsman.com
This all-day event will feature successful tournament anglers, prominent charter captains, top notch guides, knowledgeable pro team members, experienced local fishermen and well-informed industry professionals giving tips, plus explaining lures and techniques used to catch everyone's favorite fish. “Just a few weeks away”!!

June 5, 6 and 7 “In The Water Fishing School” Capt. Rick Bennett, myself and six other of the best local guides are putting on this school on. This school will be real-time hands on fishing experience! The school is limited to the first 25 participants! If you want to learn from the best local guides and see how we do it, take the time to check it out;
http://www.rodmancharters.com/2009-inthewater-fishing-school.htm
I’m really looking forward to being part of this school!

We are booking for this up coming summer season, book now to get the day you want! Check out our web page for fishing reports and charter specials from time to time. Thanks for reading this report, and Good fishing to Ya.

Captain Jot Owens