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 The
southern coast of North
Carolina is an angler's paradise where fishing can be enjoyed 12 months
of the year, minus a few uncooperative winter days. The estuaries,
brackish swamps and mud flats of these shallow, coastal waters are
excellent nurseries for shrimp, crabs, oysters and fin fish, making it a
veritable seafood gumbo.
With ocean temperatures ranging from the 70s
in the Gulf Stream to the 50s near shore in the winter months, king
mackerel, sea bass and tuna can be caught in the ocean, while striped bass
can be caught in the rivers. During the spring, summer and fall months,
tarpon, red drum, Spanish mackerel, flounder, sea bass, blue marlin,
sailfish, shark, wahoo, dolphin and many others are plentiful.
The North Carolina Division of
Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has a wealth of information regarding fishing in
North Carolina coastal waters. They offer a free, two-page brochure
entitled "The North Carolina Recreational Coastal Waters Guide for Sports
Fishermen". They also have information on fishing licenses (including the
new North Carolina Saltwater Fishing License, which went into effect in
2007), bag and size limits for various species, fishing reports, and
recreational and commercial fishing regulations, as well as a handy Fish
Finder for identifying and describing all North Carolina fish by common
name, with data and color illustrations of the species. These and many
other sources of information on fishing can be found on their website at
www.ncdmf.net or you can call them at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632 (NC
only).
Since the early 1970s, the
NCDMF has helped create artificial reefs that provide habitats for sea
life. These reefs consist of old ships, railroad cars, bridge rubble,
concrete and FADs (fish-attracting devices). Using the motto "We sink 'em
– you fish 'em," reef architects have built dozens of reefs over the
years. Judging by the number of sheepshead and mackerel landed on an
average day, the program seems to be paying off. Charts and GPS
coordinates to lead you to these sites are available by clicking
"Artificial Reef Guide" on the NCDMF website.
The Cape Fear River offers
excellent freshwater fishing, with available species including largemouth
bass, sunfish, catfish, herring and American and hickory shad. Spring is
the peak season for largemouths, which usually range between 1.5 to 3
pounds. Bass can be located near the mouths of the larger tributary
creeks, such as Turnbull, Hammonds, Sturgeon, Livingston and the upper
reaches of Town Creek. Bluegill are also plentiful and are available
during the spring spawning season near locks and dams. Bluegills average
one-half to three-quarters of a pound. American and hickory shad can be
found in the lower Cape Fear River below Wilmington and can be taken
below each of the three locks and dams above Wilmington. The three
largest members of the freshwater catfish family — the channel, blue and
flathead — can be found in the Cape Fear River from Lillington to the
Black River. Catfish are considered non-game fish and therefore have no
size or creel restrictions. They can be taken by a variety of fishing
methods. April, May, September and October are the best catfish months.
Information on inland water
limits and licenses is available from the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 (physical
address);1721 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 (mailing
address). They offer the North Carolina Regulations Digest, which
contains information on inland fishing, hunting and trapping. Call (919)
707-0391 or (888) 248-6834 for license information or (919) 707-0220 for
general fishing information. The entire digest is also online at
www.ncwildlife.org.
Note that fishing from most
bridges in the area is prohibited because bridges often traverse boating
channels. Be sure to check the signs on bridges before casting. Small-boat
owners have many fishing opportunities around the mouths of creeks and
inlets, especially during incoming tides when the boat and the bait can
drift in with the bait fish. Small boats should use caution at ocean
inlets during outgoing tides because the currents can be strong. If you’re
traveling without tackle, rental gear is sometimes available. In addition
to the fishing piers listed in this chapter, you can check one of the many
tackle shops that abound along the coast.
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