Fishing

March 18, 2009

Outer Banks Angling: Looking ahead
to spring and catching fish

By ROB ALDERMAN

Finally we have reached March and the start of spring – we hope. And while some think of green beer, painted eggs, and blooming flowers or trees, there are those who can think only of spring fishing.

March and April typically bring a switch in the Outer Banks wind that is dominated by a northern direction of some kind most of the winter and spins it to a southern direction that raises both air and water temperatures. We have to be careful in our hope for warmer weather for the OBX at this time of year because spring can bring some of the strongest northeaster coastal storms that can shut down not just fishing, but also everyday life.

This past winter yielded the worst striped bass and speckled trout fishing seen in the past decade, so expectations for spring fishing this year are very high, and should the weather cooperate with us, then the fishing could break loose any day now.

The warmer weather and water will start at the OBX’s most southern point on Ocracoke Island, meaning this is where the fish will start biting. The southern end of Ocracoke by the inlet has already produced slot-limit red drum and a few of the larger ones. Slot-limit red drum are between 18-27 inches, and anglers can keep one per day per person. All red rum under or over this size must be released. The slot-limit fish can be taken on a variety of lures or cut bait, while the bigger drum are taken on cut menhaden, mullet, spot or blues, with the occasional large fish being caught on lures.

As the water temps begin to rise north of Ocracoke Island, the fish will migrate to Hatteras Inlet and Cape Point. Keep an eye and ear out for southwest winds from 10-20 mph to drive these fish to the beach or a light northeast wind at 5-15 mph to suck them to the beach chasing bait. Ideally, one will want the water temps to get into the 60- to 70-degree range to encourage the best and most frequent bites.

Along with the red drum, the sea mullet, blow toads and scattered bluefish will also show up with warmer water temps and are favorites on the dinner table. The bluefish at this time of year will be taken mostly on cut bait, with some being caught on lures. The sea mullet and blow toads can be caught on shrimp, small pieces of cut bait, squid, or sand fleas. Look for a northeast wind at 5-15 mph to drive these fish to the beach or a southwest at 5-10 to pull them into shore.

The Outer Bank’s boat fleets will begin to see some yellowfin tuna and scattered mahi mahi as the water temp rises. There has been a good blackfin tuna bite throughout the winter, and the wreck bottom fishing has been good.

The OBX has one or more tackle shops for every township or village along its shoreline. So, if you decide to join us, then just pop into the tackle shop closest to where you are staying or fishing and the staff will be glad to tell you what is biting, what they are biting on, and where they are biting.

(Rob Alderman is the host and producer of the “Outer Banks Angler” fishing program and the owner of The Outer Banks Angler store in Buxton. You can find out more about his adventures at www.OuterBanksAngler.com.)