THE CRYSTAL COAST'S INSHORE/NEARSHORE FISHING FORECAST- April 2009

FINALLY!   We've been blessed with some warm weather!  I think Spring has finally Sprung!  and here's what to expect along the Crystal Coast in terms of fishing.

The backwaters are warming quickly.  Along the beaches anglers will be able to locate schools of Albacore within 5 miles of the beach, often schooling up around the tidelines of the inlets, nearshore structure, and even coming into the surf zone.  Try casting small topwater baits for the best action!  But these fast, false Tuna will also strike a variety of small, heavy jigs including crippled herring, sting silvers, Double Spec Rigs, diamond jigs, and more.  Be sure to use an extremely fast retreive while working the bait along the surface.  As we move into mid April the Bonito will make their showing around most nearshore structure such as live bottoms (ie, Keypost, Station Rock, Bear Rock, Lost Rock) as well as our Artificial Reefs (best are AR 315, 320, 342) for small boats.  The Bonito love a 1 to 2oz Pink Stingsilver either cast and retrieved to surfacing schools of fish or jigged around structure holding fish down deep.  Be sure to get to your favorite location shortly after daybreak as these fish often surface best in low light conditions/early morning/late afternoon.  If you find they are staying down, switch over to deep jigging or you can troll deep diving lures such as the Yozuri baits.  Dudley's marina is stocked up with all you need.

The Redfish have already begun migrating back north along our beaches and are currently moving into the backwaters.  We've been finding schools of 500 to several 1000 or more along the beaches this month.  Capt. Mike Taylor, Capt. Rob Koraly, and myself recently filmed an episode of Carolina Fishing TV which focused on this amazing Winter/ Spring Fishery along the NC Coast.  Check it out on Fox 8/14 the first Sunday in April at 9:30am  or  Fox 26 the first Sat. in April at 8:30am in the Wilmington/Myrtle Beach area.  These fish can be targeted from the surf with cut bait and artificials.  Most soft baits fished on jigheads work well as does cut mullet or shad. 

The Neuse River, Pamilco River, and New River will be on fire this month with all inshore species.  Expect to catch your largest Trout of the year during April.  I've already gotten reports from anglers in all three river systems of trout exceeding 5lbs.  Capt. Mike Taylor landed a 6+lber during a recent episode of our show in the Pamlico River and several large fish have come from the Neuse River Tributaries this week as well.  I know Capt. Ricky Kellum is finding good fish in the New River.   Along with the Speckled Trout,  anglers can also find plenty of Rockfish, Redfish, and some small Southern Flounder. 

April should also provide plenty of action on bluefish, gray trout, seamullet, and some spot, blowfish, and other small bottomfish.  Be sure to keep up with the Pier reports before heading out for a weekend of fishing. 

-Capt. Jeff Cronk