Early Spring 2023 Carolina Beach Fishing Report

Article by: Mark Mayo

We’re in the very beginning of spring and as the warming temperatures signal the start of a new season of fishing. The Cape Fear region of North Carolina is known for its diverse fishery, and local anglers are looking forward to the variety of species that will be available in the coming weeks.

As water temperatures reach the upper 50s, anglers can expect better numbers of whiting to arrive in the area. These fish can be caught using bottom rigs with bait shrimp in the surf, deeper holes around the inlet, and down around the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Additionally, smaller flounder can also be caught in the surf in the coming weeks.

Red drum can be found just about everywhere in the creeks and marshes of the Cape Fear, making them a popular target for anglers. Some schools of red drum can be found staged in shallow areas back in the creeks and bays. While these schools may be smaller than typical large winter schools, a variety of baits such as live mud minnows, dead shrimp, and lightly weighted soft plastics can trigger strikes.

Speckled trout are mixed in with the red drum action, but anglers can expect the trout fishing to really pick up as the month of March progresses into April. When fishing for speckled trout during cooler months, using smaller artificial baits such as MirrOlure MR-17s or 3” soft plastics are better options as the lethargic fish don’t want to metabolize a large meal. Darker baits tend to have better success with clearer water conditions.

Sheepshead and black drum are expected to pick up soon when both species start pushing back inshore and staging up around areas of hard structure. Black drum can also be found feeding on dead shrimp around oyster bars and deeper holes in the backs of mainland creeks.

Anglers are focusing much of their efforts on red drum fishing, and it is best to look for the good weather days with very little winds to be able to search these flats. Winter reds are holding in big schools, so understand there can be a lot of seeking to find this moving target. In addition to flats-based fishing, casting dead shrimp around oyster bars and deeper holes in the backs of mainland creeks can also provide a great opportunity to hook into black drum that are staged in these same creek holes.

The striped bass action upriver has been steady all winter, and anglers fishing for striped bass have found some red drum mixed in the action. Both these species are staged up on ledges with good structure. Getting above the structure and vertical jigging will help to prevent hang-ups and provide a good presentation to these fish. Black drum are also staged up on ledges throughout the river.

As the weather warms, Atlantic bonito are already starting to be found out over deeper structures to the north of the area. Anglers need to be ready to target days where there are lighter west winds and water temperatures in the 58-65 degree range. Black sea bass fishing has been phenomenal and continues throughout March. Ledges and live bottom in the 80’ range have been a great area to target, and anglers are finding such a large number of quality fish that there is hardly any reason to keep anything other than a jumbo (20”+ range).

King mackerel are also moving around offshore and holding on areas with those 69-70 degree water temperatures. Trolling Drone spoons or false albacore belly strips will work well when fishing these prime water temperatures. Runs out to the break are producing some good wahoo and blackfin tuna action. There is also a bunch of false albacore out there, and anglers need to get their baits.

Stay on the Bite!

Mark Mayo

I research and report on fishing, fishing gear/equipment, survival topics, and marketing for outdoors related businesses. I assist here on CB Fishing as the editor. Articles may contain AI researched content. All content is published for education and entertainment purposes only, NOT LIFE, HEALTH, SURVIVAL, FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE. Learn more about Mark Mayo