Finding warmer water key to catching reds, specks in North Carolina

Over-slot red drum are available at the marsh island near Harkers Island if anglers can find warm water.

Red drum and speckled trout were about the only inshore saltwater species available near Harkers Island before a two-week-long blast of frigid arctic air and a snow-and-ice storm blasted across North Carolina.

“When the water temps drop to 45 degrees and less, it shuts down the red drum bite and the speck bite slows as well,” said local guide Bryan Goodwin (Native Guide Service/Downeast Outdoor Television, 252-725-3961, http://www.nativeguide.net).

“You’ve got to find water that’s at least 50 degrees before baitfish will become active enough for reds to chase them.”

With sub-freezing temps occurring across most of the central coast, ice formed in the backs of creeks, but it hasn’t yet caused any cold stuns of speckled trout. However, the only places spotted seatrout were biting was at the Cape Lookout and Fort Macon jetties, where anglers discovered warmer ocean waters (high 40s).

“About the only places you can find reds right now are protected pockets near marsh islands where some of the incoming tides push warmer ocean waters,” Goodwin said. “But it may take some looking; you could spend most of the day riding and even then you’ll need some bright sunlight and a pair of polarized sunglasses to spot schools just beneath the surface.”

Redfish schools numbering in the hundreds can be found at such places, often on the lee side of the marsh islands that have dark muddy bottoms (instead of oyster rocks) that warm up quicker than surrounding waters.

“When the tide’s going out, it’s pulling that cold interior water through the marsh islands and finding reds can really test your patience,” he said.

His favorite lure to throw at schooling reds is a DOA “chicken-on-a-chain” grub (black flake bod with chartreuse paddletail) threaded onto a chartreuse 1/8-ounce jighead. Specks will hit the same lure. Spinning reels work best with these light lures because they’re easier to cast. Goodwin prefers 10-pound-test monofilament line tied directly to DOA lures.

“If you can find reds in warm water, they’ll be hungry and hit just about anything you throw at them,” he said. “Reds also will hit spinnerbaits.”