Sidebars Archives - Page 156 of 194

June 18, 2026

This Lefty’s Deceiver is a large, 3/0 fly, with white feathers and both white and chartreuse buck tail deer fibers. It’s an excellent mud minnow imitation and will draw strikes from winter redfish.

Flies that work in winter

Most redfish flies intended to mimic mud minnows, their primary winter forage, are either tied with weighted eyes — Clouser-style flies — or tied un-weighted, Deceiver-style flies. […]

Maynard Edwards’ tandem bucktail rig for stripers uses two barrel swivels instead of a standard 3-way swivel.

The tandem rig stripers can’t defeat

Craig Holt

Anglers who troll for striped bass use specialized tackle and equipment to get as many lures in the water as possible. […]

Many game lands across North Carolina provide excellent habitat for rabbits, with little hunting competition, once deer season ends.

Many game lands offer rabbit hunting

Craig Holt

A major problem for North Carolina rabbit hunters is gaining access to suitable private land, although interfering with deer hunters usually isn’t a concern with deer season ending Jan. 1. […]

Squeaky Smith caught this trophy rainbow in Wilson Creek, but fishermen are more likely to run into good numbers of smaller fish.

Big fish — or lots of them?

Tim Mead

For most fishermen, Wilson Creek is a numbers stream, with plenty of fish available. If you’re targeting bigger trout, you just need to change tactics slightly, according to angler Squeaky Smith. […]

Wilson Creek has several miles of stream in North Carolina’s delayed-harvest program, as well as wild-trout and hatchery waters.

Spinning gear for Wilson Creek trout

Tim Mead

In addition to fly fishing for Wilson Creek trout, spinning gear is also a good option. […]

Fish slow and get into some fast action.

Explore marinas in cold weather

Jeff Burleson

Dating back to the late 18th century, the Carolinas have been categorized as southern states, but North Carolina receives its fair share of brutal winter weather, with bone-chilling water temperature possible throughout February. […]

Getting one redfish in a winter school to bite will often put other fish into a feeding mood.

Turn me on!

Jeff Burleson

During winter, redfish congregate in large schools in deep holes well hidden in the backcountry of the Cape Fear River’s estuaries. […]

The low end of the tide is prime time for winter redfish, especially if it hits in the afternoon when the sun has warmed the water.

Like father, like son: legacy lives on

Jeff Burleson

America’s favorite and treasured pasttimes are continually challenged by technology and a 21st-century lifestyle. […]

Move game cameras to food sources after the season to catch bucks trying to rebuild their bodies when hunters have left the woods.

Don’t forget the candid camera

Pete Rogers

Using game cameras during the post-season will provide some of the best information you can have when the next season rolls around. […]

Jeff Saunders caught this nice little puppy drum fishing slowly in a bay off the New River; slower retrieves are warranted when the water is cold and reds are less active.

Redfish move slowly in winter water

Jerry Dilsaver

Capt. Allen Jernigan said one of the keys to catching winter red drum is to fish slower than you do during the rest of the year. […]