Searching for Tailing Reds, NC and SC June 2024

I had been hankering getting back to do some sightfishing for redfish and this trip I had my friend Andy along as a companion.  He brought his big boat to tackle the run across the Cape Fear River to fish around Bald Head Island.

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Southport since it was near to the Dutchman Creek public launch.  We didn't fish the night we arrived, but went to recon the boat ramp for the next day's fishing.

We found this baby gator, hunting in the flood lit waters around the ramp.  We found he would readily chase the disturbance of a popping bug.

We didn't get any fish and didn't want to harrass the gator too much, so we returned to the hotel for some shut eye.

The next day, fair skies greeted us as we launched on Dutchman Creek.

We worked our way up into the marshes behind Bald Head Island where I had found fish many times before.  The tide was low, but we anchored the boat and waited for the tide to rise, eventually getting out to wade ashore, looking for reds following the flood in.  

After a while, there seemed to be enough water for reds to push their way in, but I never saw one.  The tide did not seem to fill in and get the depth that I wanted.

In a big patch of open water, I did manage to get this one little croaker to get the skunk out of the boat. 

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, signage persuaded us to not step off the paved surface to cast into the adjacent, fenced stormwater pond.

We tried again the next day, and even though we found better flooded marsh... 

...the results were the same.  We never saw a drum.  

We called it quits, and hit the road to drive to Charleston.  We stayed at the KOA in Mt. Pleasant.  They have nice air conditioned cabins and the beds, with foam mattresses, are comfortable enough.  You can park your boat there and they have a spigot with water to rinse off after a day of fishing.

On the first day, we searched some high tide flats on the Wando River, but the tide never seemed to get high enough for the fish to get up in there.  It looked promising though...

Back at the cabin, we tied flies and prepared for the next day.

On the second day, we fished the Wando River edge, waiting for the tide to rise.  Sometimes you can find tailing redfish on that edge - waiting to get up into the flooded Spartina.  Not a red, but I was lucky enough to catch a nice little speckled trout.

We looked around, on both sides of the river, and followed the flood tide in search of tailing reds. 

Some of that exploration into new areas revealed some beautiful, fishy-looking water. 

But no fish..

Out on the main river, it was windy as hell and we struggled to find any lee or calm water where fish might be tailing.  With the flood tide being pushed by the wind, the water was deep enough to hide the movements of fish.

On one flat, we did find tailers, but they were spooky and we just seemed to push them around without getting many good shots.  Cruising the shoreline, we did find one small pocket of water that must've had at least four tailing fish in it.  I thought for sure we'd catch one.  I got good shots at at least two of them.  Incredibly, I came away empty handed.

All in all, with the high winds, a strong tide, and deep water, it was super tough fishing, made all the more disappointing by the time and travel that we hade to make in order to get to South Carolina.  But at Bob Hutchinson used to say, "That's why they call it fishing and not catching."

Nevertheless, it was a great time with Andy and in meeting new friends.  It will just make the next productive trip all the more sweet.  We'll be back!

peace

 

"The Lure of Adventure Trumps Judgement" or "Our Redfish Trip to Southport NC" - 12/26/13

OK, I admit it.  I'm a sucker for an adventure.  But this time my addiction had outside ramifications, and I claimed a day of David's life.  Let me explain…

I had missed the chance to fish for redfish around Wilmington NC last summer and I've been jonesing ever since.

I was getting reports that the winter fishery had been outstanding and to make the trip down if I could get the chance.  My buddy David, aka "My Leakey Waders" had the day off, so we decided to do a shotgun trip down to Southport - there and back in one day.  The weather report was for overcast skies, light winds (NE 5 MPH) and temps in the low 50s.

We left Virginia Beach at 2 am, cruised past many flashing blue lights on the way to Emporia, VA and then rocketed down I95, then veered south to Wilmington and then SW to Southport.

My inherited aluminum battleship!

My little skiff was in the shop for repairs to a leaky prop seal so our boat of choice was a 14' aluminum battleship - a Sears-built aluminum canoe loaded with rain gear, a couple of 8 weights, spare paddle, stakeout pole, push pole, camera, and some tasty flies.

We got to the Southport marina at around 7:45 am and found ample parking (not a good sign).  We paid our $5 launch fee and shoved off (see #1 marked on the aerial below)  Our plan was to fish the low tide flats around the Elizabeth River. 

We started out fishing along the banks of the creek (#2 below).  The weather reports were a farce!  It was blowing at least 15 and I don't think the temp ever got above the mid 40's

We moved on to the marsh island marked #3 above.  There was a broad beautiful sandy flat that extended to the south of the marsh island.  We didn't see any pushes or disturbance.  It was cold!

Next, we tried fishing up into the narrow creeks at #4 above, hoping to find fish holed up and hiding in the quiet waters there.  No luck!

We continued to fish the shoreline and the oyster outcrops we could see until we got to the Cape Fear River (#5).

We turned to the right hoping to find a lee and fished along the points and shoreline of the big cove at #6.  Nothing.

We could see the exposed extensive oyster flats at #7 and held out hope for a school of reds in this fishy spot.  We struggled to hold the canoe in place with howling winds and a light drizzle but we didn't' see any fish sign and our efforts were for naught.

We paddled into the wind and back to the ramp and called it a day by about 1pm.  

We stopped by the Intercoastal Angler in Wilmington.  Underwhelming….Is there a better fly shop in the area?

Got some java juice and turned the car north.  We went big…we got skunked…we went home.  Made it home by 8 pm.

Yes, it was fun, we enjoyed the brotherhood, we saw many oyster catchers (cool) and were harassed by a mooching pelican, blah, blah, blah…..but we wanted the pull!  

In retrospect, perhaps our (my) judgement to pull the trigger was clouded by the lure of the adventure.  The weather really was less than ideal.  David is too nice and agreeable….(but don't change on me bro!)

On the flipside, we got to see a new area and will be that better prepared for the next foray for NC reds.  Can't wait for the next chance!

Peace!