Well the dead of winter is here and we are counting down the days until the warmer months.  Though the fishing has been slow there is still plenty to do. The striper bite in the cape fear river has been pretty hot here in the cold months. The stripers can be fooled by casting 5-7" jerk shads rigged weedless, deep diving plugs, or swim baits. They can also be caught trolling deep divers. There are still some reds and trout hanging around. Both can be found schooled up around local docks. Drum can also be found schooled up in the surf and the backwaters. The reds can be fooled with cut shrimp or gulp on a jig head. Specks can be caught on mirrolures, soft plastics on a jig head, and doa shrimp.  It has been fairly rough offshore the past week, but those who have made it out have been able to pick up a few blackfin and wahoos including a few sailfish sightings. Near shore bottom fisherman are reporting that seabass are still out there and willing to bite.