By Capt. Alan Caine
This winter on the Cape Fear Coast has been mild with most days over 60 degrees. The downside is that it has been a windy year, which makes fishing tough. The water is crystal clear, offering great sight fishing opportunities with fly or light tackle. However, most redfish this winter have been on the smaller side. Redfish grow quickly in their early years, so having this quantity of small fish will be good for the coming spring, summer, fall and for the next few years.
Trout fishing has slowed with cooler water temps, but there still are some big fish being caught. A very slow retrieve will usually draw more trout bites this time of year.
The striped bass fishing on the Cape Fear River has been good some days and tough others, which is typical for our striper fishery in southern North Carolina. Most fish are quality fish, but they are scattered throughout the river system. With the current stocking and tagging programs, the numbers seemed to be improving each year. Striper fishing is a great back-up plan when the weather is tough for redfish. Most stripers we have been catching lately have been on 4-5 inch soft plastic lures worked around structure, creek mouths, and ledges. Cloudy/overcast days are usually produces the best striper fishing.
I will be headed back to Louisiana mid February through mid March to target giant adult redfish again. I typically only spend late October – December guiding there, but decided to spend another month later this winter and spring. Louisiana offers some of the best shallow water sight fishing for redfish you will ever experience. The sub 15-pound fish are around all year and are some of the easiest redfish of all to catch. However the real draw to Louisiana is the winter fishing for the 15-40 pound fish. These giant adult redfish invade the coastal marshes of Louisiana in late fall and stay until the spring to feed on the plentiful bait the Mississippi delta offers. Watching a fish this size chase down and eat your fly or lure in shallow clear water is a sight that never gets old. This is truly a world-class fishery all within 45 minutes of downtown New Orleans and its amazing Cajun cuisine. There are many lodging options and I can help with any details should you choose to come. Feel free to email or call with any questions you may have.
Capt. Allen Cain, 336-613-2975, or go to www.sightfishnc.com