We had to deal with that relentless March wind today but got in a couple hours and put together a mess of fish with some solid Crappie topping the list....

These fish were caught shallow on minnow tipped beadheads and jigs......Solid Black crappie prespawn.....

They're getting their Tuxedo on! We'll have to battle through up and down temps over the next ten days but night time temps are moderating and that's important to maintaining a water temperature profile in the high 50s near 60 and that's very important to our early spring bite.......Good Luck everyone fishing North Carolina style!

We're waiting out the latest batch of winter weather in coastal North Carolina....today a washout and strong shifting winds will create irregular water levels for the next 48 hours in the tidal rivers.......The week ahead looks spring like and the most important thing is the moderating air temperatures at night which works to stabilize our water temperatures which will put the crappie spawn in full swing on the Albemarle.........Minnow tipped jigs and live grass shrimp will become hard to beat for the classic tuxedo Crappie.......The stained creeks will discourage many anglers but don't be surprised if they are several degrees warmer than the dark tannic waters........Crappie associate with wood for these shallow occurring events......both push overs, cypress colonies and man made structures pull fish in too........Here's some tidal Crappie that I picked up in the last several days......

These fish were picked up yesterday afternoon ahead of today's inclimate weather,,,,,water temperatures were much warmer than the air at 54 to 57 degrees.......

The big female Black Crappie are joining the smaller males in the shallows one by one.......most populations of male largemouth are also working the shallows and expect the females to join them in earnest by Easter.......Crappie spawn in our region aligns to Dogwood trees blooming and match the bass spawn with budding Pecan trees.........Mid to late April is a treat for local anglers as the bluegill population begin to survey the shallows and cross paths with crappie and largemouth  rendering any passing jig helpless on the Albemarle........Good luck everyone Fishing North Carolina Style......

Is anyone getting any good gills yet?

Started catching some nice ones this week on the Albemarle regional rivers Corey.......Biggest thing we need in our region is milder nights and the water temps will stabilize  and things will pick up big time......Just today I observed an eight degree drop in surface temps with air temps in the low 40s last night........In my region the crappie start leaving the shallows late April and they immediately get replaced by the big spawning largemouth and the first wave of sunfish including the first to spawn in our area, the little pumpkinseeds.....Big Coppers are staging in numbers and will charge the shallows soon on the northeastern rivers......

Caught some nice coppers last night....

Welcome to the group Michael......I have done a better job updating this blog in the past......often I just add the testimony on to the photos I post of specific ventures....Look forward to any contributions you may have......

Jeff:  I will try to contribute any way I can.  I am still learning fresh water fishing and moved to Elizabeth City, NC two years ago.  I started out salt water fishing, but I now live near fresh water.

Welcome Marty.....I haven't been good about updating this group this Summer.....I'll get back to it though.............we welcome any input you may have to help folks in the Tarheel State.............

Jeffrey:  I'm wanting to get back into some serious gill fishing this spring, and life has been interrupting the last 3-4 years of fishing.

Sex and Fishing are the two things in life that while you are doing them, you always say," I need to do this more often"

Anyone have any techniques or suggestions for bluegill fishing this time of year?  I went out one time in October and caught one yellow perch on beetle spin.  I also used a worm under float, bottom rig with worm or small tail grub and no bites.  Fished the same river on 10 November same techniques and only caught one white perch.  I was mainly fishing near tree stumps near edge of water, so starting to think that I should look for them a bit more deeper.

Only 59 days until the beloved spring will embrace the Tarheel state from East to West with a warming sun and longer days.  This Saturday appears to be another washout with wind and rain starting in many parts of the state overnight Friday.....I'm excited for now because Sunday is open and this week's warming trend will have panfish rising up the slopes in creek basins and holes that fish are wintering in.......it will still require patience and micros for best results......egg sacks are filling in on our tidal Crappie and the raccoon perch are nearing spawn in areas known for the migration........gills traditionally sit above the Crappie in these holes so if you contact speckles I suggest you shallow up a foot or two and look for a few willing gills......Good luck fishing North Carolina Style....

YOU'LL BE CATCHING LOADS OF FISH LONG BEFORE THEN JEFFREY !!!!!

Thanks Tooty....I will in fact be fishing but I'll be happier when the dog woods bloom and the prevailing winds are more from the South........something about fishing in a t-shirt and a ball cap that appeals to me.........everybody has their favorites right.........

It appeals to me too, but I also wear shorts... :)

I like it 80+ outside. I used to love the winter. When I live in CO in my mid 20s, summer was 3 months of lousy skiing. Not anymore...

old Jeffery has already caught a bunch of gills this year!!  off to a great start!!

Wow I think we have another great group here.

Welcome Dick and Carl.......

Is there anyone here in NC that will be going to the Rendezvous in May?

It's just in the next state, right? Over 600 miles from me (near Raleigh)! I won't be able to swing that. Wish I could; it would be nice to meet so many like minded fisherpeople. 

I want to but it's too early for me to determine my work obligations Marty......

Maybe 2 or 3 of us can ride together and make it more affordable.  Hope we can pick a central spot or city in the Western part of the state and then go from there.

Been thinking about hitting the King Fisher Society. But not sure. I know there are nice fish but I have seen line and hook restrictions. Still not sure.

Welcome to the group Slip.......

My vision several years back was to have a group that could share information about fishing in North Carolina...........thanks to all the new members that are networking in this forum.......one of the things that make it a great stop on the web........

Do you mind if a Mn resident but 1 time 7 year resident of the Great state of NC joins up in the mix? :)

Absolutely not Nathanael........never know who might be able to answer the question or provide the next great piece of advice......all about the networking here! Welcome!

Minnesota, man that is a great place, but ya gotta do one thing, leave all the snow in my X wifes driveway in chicago

Your x wife can have it actually, That will leave the Ice up here clear for driving my vehicle instead of hauling the snow machine out, lol...

Welcome to the group Mo Fish!

okay, today temp got to 78 degrees here in Hubert, was wondering about an early time on the trent river

was looking at the google earth photos of the trent river whre i joins the Neuse and that whole area looks promising.

but i have to admit that i am a newbie to the max on this kind of fishing,  was told that the gills hand out in the grass or edge of grass,  how deep?   came [ole type fishing? have not done that in a lifetime literally, but i have one,  grubs, red wigglers, minnows?  teach me guys

That is a pretty area but well known. Lots of fish are caught in the Trent. I know someone who fishes down there and Trent is not his favorite. He like finding deep holes in Bachelor Creek. This is also no secret (exactly where his holes are is). There are other minor tribs a little west of New Bern. He says the shorter ones clear up faster after rains and some of the little ones have deep holes. 

Welcome to the group Bill........business should be picking up very soon!

Oops, guess I should have posted the content of the message I just sent to the group here instead. Still learning to navigate the site sorry. 

Y'all mind if a transplanted Yankee who now lives in VA. slips on in here? Looks like some good conversations taking place here with my neighbors to the south.

You are certainly most welcome!

Thanks Andy and Jeffrey. Yeah, once we start getting some warm Southerly winds I imagine it will pick up right quick down your way.

okay where are minnows for sale in new bern area

Sportsman's Toy Store closed down. Kind of odd that a town like New Bern doesn't have a bait shop but I am not sure it does. I wonder if there is a good spot to net bait.

Looks like somebody had a rough time up Albermarle way...
http://www.wral.com/boaters-found-clinging-to-hull-in-albemarle-sou...

Yeah this was the conversation this morning over a biscuit and coffee at Bojangles......we had a slight chance of storms that rolled through yesterday....haven't heard the details yet but glad we had a good ending.....the Coast Guard flies over my home everyday but I don't mind because it's good to have them close.......

Welcome to the group Kevin.......

Thanks Jeff!  Nice day today at Frank Liske park.  Lot of 'micro' panfish - bream, readbreast, red ear, a small bass and a catfish...all on fly rod.

Congrats on a good day fishing Kevin

FINALLY! Back to fishing. Has been along time since I have been able to fish. Parents have not been well. Father passed away last October, mother stuggling with heart surgery. She is doing much better now (out in California). Home now, looking forward to getting a (fly) hook into the water. Have been studying this carp on the fly fishing. Will try that also while looking for BIG bluegill.

Good luck Steve.....sorry to hear about your loss and we certainly wish your mother a speedy recovery.......hope you enjoy some great fishing when you get to go!

Thanks Jeffrey, looking forward to fishing again.

Got out  on Mountain Island Lake today. The mayflies were swarming, making a great day for catching bluegill (a few spotted bass got caught up in the fray also). A little rusty with the fly rod and line, but still had a good day fishing. MIL does not have the biggest bluegill in the water, still a fun place to be. Can't wait to go back to fish there. Will post pictures when the rust is knocked off!

Glad you got out Steve and caught some fish......it ain't always about the biggest fish fish or the most......just getting a few takes is a good thing.....nice report and thanks for sharing....we look forward to a few pics of a North Carolina jewel......Mountain Island........