After an exceptionally hectic day yesterday, I decided to reset the clock to "Cape Fear Time", and hit the marsh about an hour before sunset and the coming New Moon high tide. I left the dock with the camera and a few friends in the cooler, no fishing gear, that's not what these soul cleansing experiences are about sometimes. A short run to some very active marsh pans(deeper depressions in the marsh interior created by accumulated dead grass brought in with high spring tides, the firm bottom bottom and lack of tightly clustered old growth Spartina means dense colonies of Fiddler and Calico Crabs, a Red's favorite forage) and I saw what I came to see... multiple Reds happily tailing all around the boat. So there I sat, atop the platform camera and beverage in hand in the silence and isolation of the deep marsh as the ethereal scene played out before me. No matter how many times I see ol' Sciaenops Ocellatus act out this most basic of feeding behaviors, I feel like it is being performed just for me, those tails waving above the surface their way of communicating in a language that only those of us who passionatley follow their aquatic movements day in and day out understand! I mentioned camera, which moves me to admit my one shortcoming when it comes to having high quality gear on board. You see, my trusty digital camera is of the 1999 vintage, and so hoplessly incrusted with salt and an unknown black substance with both the properties of a liquid and solid? that my photographs are suffering.  Any way, the spectacle of the Cape Fear once again has managed to fill me with a Peace that is second to only that granted by God!

      With the constant frontal passages and altogether unstable weather patterns of March almost a memory, we have had a few remarkable days on the Lower Cape Fear in between the blows. The amazingly clear "winter water", a result of virtually no algal growth, and the water's specific gravity reaching a point at which it can no longer hold all the detrietus(rotting plant material) in suspension, will continue through a good part of April. With the ever increasing presence of bait on the flats, this will result in the huge schools shedding their weariness of winter and becoming far less spooky as they pursue a meal. Sight casting to these schools  containing dizzying numbers of eager Redfish, is truly one of the most exciting angling opportunities available on the Cape Fear Coast. With proper positioning and careful presentation, we can fish a single school throughout a half day trip, never venturing more than a couple huindred yards from where our fishing began! If the sight of 300 or more tightly schooled fish pushing wakes and turning the water a purplish hue as they take a "head on" course with the boat doesn't turn your knees to jelly, perhaps watching three fish all track on your fly and fight over your offering before the lucky one rolls and runs will. This is a great primer for the novice angler, as highly accurate casting and technical presentations are not as crucial when hundreds of pairs of eyes are all searching for prey.

                                                   As the New Moon in April approaches and water temps hit the 65 degree range, the Fiddler and Calico crabs become active once again high in the Spartina grass, signaling the return of our Tailing fishery! As broken pods of Reds follow the big evening Spring tides high into the marsh in search of their favorite snacks, we sight cast to them as tails gently gently break the calm surface amongst a sea of Spartina stalks. Careful preparation and a keen eye for waving tails or moving grass will reward you with an angling experience you will never forget. The fact that this is primarily an early evening fishery also means that we have very few if any wind issues to deal with, as the Southwesterlies lay down usually around 6 pm or so each day. As we pole through inches of water high in the marsh we're greeted by not only Reds, but Clapper and Virginia Rails, Otters, White Ibis by the hundreds, Rays, Red Fox , White Tail Deer, and numerous other creatures as the Moon rises in the East.

                                                   Wheter it's the solitude of an evening marsh coming to life, or the intensity of chasing huge schools  on the flats during the daylight hours, or the inshore Bluefish invasion that begins in April,  a wide variety of angling opportunities abound! So, give me a call, and we'll begin planning your next adventure on the Cape Fear Coast. - Tight Lines and God's Blessings - Capt. Todd Streeter

Plagued by blustery West Sourthwest winds, and with the Fort Fisher/Souhtport Ferry down until Late January, we have taken full advantage of the consistent Striper fishery just down the street in the Cape Fear River and it's tributaries. With literally miles of leeward shoreline structure on both the Cape Fear and Brunswick Rivers, it makes for a rewarding and comfortable trip in all but a gale. Although finding some of the most productive spots already occupied by duck hunters can be dissapointing, it's forced me to explore some new water in some reallly "out of the way" areas South of Downtown Wilmington. We have been seeing good numbers of 2-3 year class fish in Smith Creek and some of the oxbow ponds. Lipless crankbaits, bucktails in 3/8 - 1/2 oz. and 3" Berkley Gulp! Shrimp in white and bone have been top producers. The key for me is to find hrizontal deadfalls within 20 feet of the bank in 5' - 20' of water. Cypress stumps have produced a few, but it seems to be hit or miss. Water temps ranging from 50 - 55 degrees keep theses fish energized throughout  a fight, making up for their smaller frames. Bass style rattle jigs like Bootleggers and other craw type imitations are finding there way into my arsenal as I find more of these guys sticking type to woody cover that can make fishing traditional saltwater baits impossible. If last year is any indication, these guys will be here well into February. So if you're looking for an easy escape and the fickle weather is keeping you from your typical inshore routine, give it a try.

Want to hone your skills and add to your arsenal of inshore tactics and techniques? Come see me at the 2009 Fisherman's Post fishing school Feb. 7th 2009 in Wilmington at the Coastline Convention Center. I will be offering 6 different seminars and multiple hands - on rigging stations along with 11 other Top Captains from the NC coast. This school  has been rated by Sportfish Magazine as one of the Top 10 seminar series in the nation!Sponsors include:Tex's Tackle, DOA, Betts, Berkley Gulp!, Sea Striker, Calcutta, Mirrolure, Sea Tow, and Smithfield's Chicken and BBQ. Visit www.fishermanspost.com for details on registration and scheduling. See You There!

 DRUMMIN' IN THE SURF

      Ah!, the time of year when all of us "run and gun" technology addicted inshore fisherman can switch gears and get back to "old school" fishing. October marks the tail end of the Mullet migration and also dictates the annual "False" runs   made by most if not all of our immature (0-4 year age class) Redfish, as they temporarily leave the confines of our inside waters, and sit just off our beaches. Driven by both instinct and the need to meet the tremendous protein requirements to see them through the lean winter they are preparing to face inshore, these fish congregate in massive schools along almost every beach face near an inlet in NC. Not only is this behavior necessary for stock survival, but, taking advantage of these once a year Redfish Bonanzas is a mandate for any serious Surf angler in the Southeast!  

          My annual 4 day camping/fishing trip was meticulously planned to coincide with the October Hunter's Moon. Getting my wife and 2 girls schedules to all allow for this was a monumental undertaking, but with the schools we have been spotting over the last 3 weeks near New Topsail Inlet, no amount of heartache was going to keep me from my plan. After setting up camp(no small task when trying to meet the comfort needs of 3 females!) in a large overwash fan just behind the dune structure of one of our uninhabited islands, I hit the beach at low tide to find the evening's fishing spot. A nice wide beach shelf with a slightly deeper slough running about 30-40 yards parrallel to the beach before abrubtly turning beachward. After relaxing with the family fireside, I quickly netted enough mullet for the night in the bay where the boat was parked and planted myself on the beach under the biggest brightest full moon of the year. By 11:00pm, I was soaked to the bone, covered in sand and my arms were sore from a dozen Redfish all in the 24"-27" range. Tuesday night was much the same, waiting just until the moon was at about 60 degrees and about midway into falling tide, to start fishing. Almost every live Mullet cast just to the outside edge of the slough would soon get nervous and  start to swim signaling a hungry predator was closing in. Subdoing a 27" fish  that remains energized the entire fight due to the high levels of disolved oxygen in the swash zone on a 7 foot inshore rod spooled with 10# braid is akin to being hooked up with a False Albacore! Wednesday night concluded with atleast 12 Redfish and one overslot caught by my fishing partner measuring 36". As I sat atop a nearby dune, enjoying my coffee the next morning, I watched a group with another area guide catch more fish in 2 hours than I can honestly ever recall witnessing! Watching all those smiling faces and hearing them recall the morning's battles as they filed by, cemented in me why I guide. Yes, it's an unbelievable blessing to make your living on the water, and yes I could never make it in the real working world, but being able to if for just a day, improve a client's life by providing lasting memories, cementing bonds between fathers/sons or husbands/wives, and many times nurturing an understanding of our coastal waters that leads to lifelong stewardship makes this one of the most meaningful jobs i've had, and I've had quite a few!

                Anyone wishing to put together a one of a kind surf Redfish trip , now is the time. Several options are available including: Camping at Lea Island, Self Guided trips(I drop you off, get you set up, and return ) or fully guided. About 2 hours and the proper tide are all we need to get into some tremendous numbers. So if you're allergic to the sun or don't like the idea of standing on the beach all day, these trips are perfect. Pricing as follows: Self Guided $150.00 (includes use of Beach Cart)   Fully Guided $300 per half day (groups of up to 6 can be accomodated)