Fishing Report
Saltwater
Oregon Inlet
Offshore, bluefin tuna have continued to turn up in the Gulf Stream. Inshore boats are still getting striped bass, but the warm weather will probably push these fish up rivers to the north soon. Contact: Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 252-441-6301, www.oregon-inlet.com.
Buxton/Hatteras
As of Wednesday, fish hadn't started biting despite warmer temperatures, but puppy drum, speckled trout, and blowfish should soon turn on. Contact: Frank & Fran's 252-995-4171; www.hatteras-island.com.
Ocracoke
Puppy drum turned up at the south end of the island, which heats up faster because of warm water from the Gulf Stream. Last year's first big red drum, a 54-incher, came on March 8, with the water temperature right where it was Wednesday, about 54 degrees. Offshore, black sea bass season is still open south of Hatteras. Amberjack have been caught, too. Contact: Tradewinds Bait & Tackle 252-928-5491, www.fishtradewinds.com.
Cape Lookout/
Bogue Inlet
Speckled trout have been biting in the creeks. Puppy drum have been found in the North River and in the surf. Bogue Inlet Pier opens this weekend. The first visitors are usually sharks, skates, blowfish and sea mullet. Contact: EJW Outdoors 252-247-4725; www.ncoif.com.
Topsail Island
The red drum turned on in the creeks and just off the beach in the shoals. At the Gulf Stream, wahoo have been thick at Swansboro Hole. Contact: East Coast Discount Tackle 910-328-1887, www.eastcoastsports.com.
Wilmington/
Wrightsville Beach
Red drum are scattered in schools along the beaches and in the creeks. Boaters have been trolling for striped bass in the Cape Fear River around downtown Wilmington with deep-diving crankbaits. Offshore, black sea bass are about 10 miles out. King mackerel are 25 miles out. Wahoo, blackfin tuna, cobia, African pompano and amberjack are in the Gulf Stream. Contact: Tex's Tackle 910-791-1763, www.texstackle.com.
Southport/Sunset Beach
Back in the creeks, red drum have improved. Offshore, black sea bass are 18 miles out. King mackerel have been found 35 miles out. Contact: Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle 910-457-1221.
Freshwater
Falls Lake
Largemouth bass have improved. It's still slow, but they'll take a jig and pig. Some bigger fish have been caught near the Ledge Rock area on the flats in four feet of water. Crappie are biting around brush piles and laydowns in 10 to 12 feet of water. Water level: normal 251.5, Wednesday 252.87, full pool 264.8. Contact: Outhouse Tackle 919-217-0085; www.wmi.org.
Kerr Lake
A few crappie have been caught suspended in 4 to 10 feet of water. Water level: normal 300, Wednesday 301.16, full pool 320. Contact: Bobcat's Bait & Tackle 434-374-8381; www.kerrlake.com.
Jordan Lake
Crappie are still slow. They can be found suspended, about 18 to 20 feet down over 30 feet of water. Water level: normal 216, Wednesday 216.4, full pool 240. Contact: Wilsonville General Store 919-362-7101.
Lake Wheeler
A couple of 3-pound largemouth bass were reported on Sunday. Contact: Park office 919-662-5704
Shearon Harris Lake
Largemouth bass have taken lipless crankbaits early in the morning along the weedline. Suspended jerkbaits also have worked in 14 feet of water. Crappie have bit minnows in 30 to 40 of water. Contact: The Tackle Box 919-557-8255; www.wmi.org.
Hyco Lake
Largemouth bass have improved in the shallow coves. Crappie are slow. Contact: Hyco Lake Marina 336-599-2211; www.hycolake.com.
Roanoke River
Hickory shad haven't shown up at Weldon, but lots of white perch have. Shad have been reported in the Tar River in Rocky Mount. Though a different system, they've also shown up on the Neuse River in Kinston. Contact: Colston's Tackle Box 252-537-6485.
