Spring is here along the Cape Fear Coast and after the mild winter we had the water temps are already up near 70 degrees inshore. With this warm water, lots of baitfish are showing up and many gamefish are transitioning into their spring patterns. From Topsail Island to Southport, the red drum are getting more aggressive and are already hitting topwater plugs. Some of the big schools of redfish are also beginning to break up into smaller groups and spreading out on the flats and creeks. I have also been seeing schools of redfish in the marsh that have recently moved in from the ocean and are covered in sea lice. The fiddler crabs are everywhere in the marsh and with the last set of tides we have seen many tailing redfish. Speckled trout fishing has been a little slow lately but should continually get better. Flounder are also starting to show up in better numbers and other seasonal species should be showing up in our area as the water warms. For the redfish we have been using topwater plugs and soft plastic lures such as DOA Cal and Gulp 3" shrimp in pearl and new penny color. Most of the flounder and trout we have been catching have also been caught on the same soft plastics. The redfish we have been catching on fly have been eating small minnow and shrimp patterns. These fish have been in very shallow water and require a light fly and soft presentation. The water is still very clear which makes for excellent sight fishing on the flats and in the creeks. For pictures visit http://sightfishnc.blogspot.com/ Capt. Allen Cain www.sightfishnc.com