Fishing

Before I get into fishing reports and tales from near and far, let me remind you that the GPS Store Far Out Shoot Out—Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo Rodeo Tournament starts this weekend.  
The captains’ meeting and dinner is Friday at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, and the eligible fishing days are this Saturday through the following Saturday, May 1. Choose one out of those eligible eight days to compete. The Far Out Shoot Out has been held annually for more than 15 years, and as in years past, great catches of tuna, dolphin and wahoo are expected.

Spring fishing has been on fire in Brunswick County, as redfish, speckled trout and flounder catches have all been solid. After a slow start to the spring area, inshore fishing has really come alive.
“We fished every day last week, sometimes in the rain and wind and sometimes in almost perfect conditions,” Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Charters said. “The redfish bite in the Intracoastal Waterway has been red-hot.”
Dickson and other local anglers are finding redfish around the marsh grass and the docks along the estuary.

You ever get the feeling summer is never going to get here? The past couple of weeks have been very nice, but it’s been just cool enough to keep water temperatures stable instead of rising. And that’s what we need right now, warmer water temperatures. However, just as soon as I complain about the cool, I’ll soon be complaining about the heat, so I guess patience is required.

Local fishermen have struggled through windy conditions for the last week, but the weather is supposed to change right on time for the hot redfish bite to resume this weekend. Anglers were in the midst of some strong red drum action in shallow water, but windy conditions have made it hard on them lately.