Warming water putting more fish in range of more fishermen
Matt Lamb of Chasin’ Tails Outdoors in Atlantic Beach said he is getting good reports of improved fishing here and there, and with a good forecast for the next 10 days, he expects spring fishing to really improve.
“I don’t have any one report that is outstanding, but there are little good reports from a variety of locations,” Lamb said. “One of the most encouraging reports this week has been of some (false albacore) between Cape Lookout and AR 285. They are one of the sure signs of spring, and several fishermen have reported schools of them. There have also been some bluefish on the shoals this week. They aren’t big ones, but they are another good sign spring has arrived.
Reports from the Gulf Stream are picking up too, Lamb said. “Not many charter boats are running yet, but the (ones that are) are catching wahoo and blackfin tuna. I don’t know how many are going, but we’re starting to see individuals headed offshore and bringing fish by the store to weigh. We weighed the first citation wahoo of the year this week, and these fellows had four more that were smaller. They also had some blackfin tuna in their cooler. I’ve heard reports of a few yellowfins too, but I haven’t seen one yet.”
Lamb (252-240-3474) said some red drum have been caught in the surf around Beaufort Inlet at Fort Macon. They aren’t being caught every day, but several days each week, and some being upper-slot fish. The reds definitely prefer natural baits, with pieces of cut mullet and shrimp getting the nod as favorites, but live mullet minnows also producing fish.
“Inshore fishermen are beginning to catch a few more redfish,” Lamb said. “The water is still cold, and they aren’t aggressive, but if you fish a live mud minnow and let it sit or move a Gulp! real slow, they are hitting them. If the water will go on and warm a few more degrees, this could get good in a couple of weeks.”
Lamb said the inside water is still in the mid-50s, but the water in some creeks is reaching 60 on sunny afternoons.
