NC’s early March saltwater fishing report

Early March fishing report is a mixed bag

It’s been a mixed bag for saltwater anglers fishing along the Carolina coastlines. Redfish are still the star of the show, but several other species seem to be increasing in numbers as the weather begins to feel more spring like.

Recent night time temperatures have been dipping below freezing in many areas across both states, but that looks to be ending this week. That will increase the influx of baitfish quickly. And with those baitfish, all manner of gamefish will follow.

Outer Banks anglers have been catching redfish in the surf as well as the creeks. And the sea mullet, a/k/a whiting are also showing up in big numbers in some areas. Offshore, angles are getting into some yellowfin tuna.

Numerous other species are biting as well

In the Wilmington area, the sea mullet have started off strong. The area between 16 Buoy and 14 Buoy are holding big numbers of them. And Tony DeLuzio and Hunter Hussey caught a pile of them in quick fashion in Beaufort Inlet. These fish are here and they’re hungry, but you’ve got to fish deep for them.

“We caught them in Beaufort Inlet Channel, right off Ft. Macon in 60 feet of water. The bite was on slack current with Sam’s Gitter Rigs tipped with small pieces of bait shrimp. You have to get your bait to the bottom,” said DeLuzio.

Plenty of redfish are still being caught in this area too. Sheepshead have started making a good showing, and some nice trout are coming in as well. Offshore of Wilmington, anglers have been catching some big black sea bass.

Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Bait & Tackle’s charter fleet recently hosted a day of fishing to numerous military and veterans. Their anglers caught plenty of redfish, black drum, and sheepshead. And several anglers have brought in some nice speckled trout in the 5-pound range recently. Curly tail grubs and MirrOlure’s are doing the trick on the specks.