We should see the mahi pushing close to the beach. With the warm winter we had this year I suspect they will be super close, within 3-4 miles to find a few…good numbers should be around the 20-mile mark. The king mackerel will be feeding from the beach to the stream. If you want a smoker, check the inlets on an outgoing tide with some good live bait. Sails will be inshore as well. There were several hooked up at the sea buoy last year and this year should be no different.
The inshore reds will be feeding heavily around the oyster rocks in the bays. Gulp baits along with topwater baits are the ticket. The sheepshead will be feeding heavily inshore. Make sure you check out the inshore artificial reef in the New River (34° 39.672′ N x 77° 22.298′ W). The reef is made up on old bridge material and rip rap. Patches are placed over 27 acres. This will be a great place to find many inshore species.
The Spanish should be feeding well behind the breakers and just outside the inlet on the tide line. ClarkSpoons and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows will get the job done. Have a big bucktail rigged and waiting for one of the cobia that tend to be in the same area.
The ladyfish (one of my personal favorite fish to catch) will show up in full force. The inshore bridges, docks and colliding channels will make these fish feed. Live shrimp is always welcome by these lil’ speedsters but they will readily take an X-Rap if fished fast with fluorocarbon leader.
Reds will be feeding at the inlets as well as on the surf. They can be tide-fussy so try a couple of different tides to find what they want. Cut mullet or finger mullet on a fish-finder rig will do you well.
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FORECAST BY: Capt. Chris Medlin
East Coast Sports • 910-328-1887 • www.eastcoastsports.com