“Wettin a Hook”
For those of us who like to “wet a hook” Wilmington NC is paradise found. We have some of the best salt and freshwater fishing this area has to offer. Just yesterday I awoke early, hooked the boat up and headed to Sutton Lake. Sutton Lake is the cooling facility for Progress Energy. The water stays warm year round and the Largemouth bass fishing is wonderful. The lake is located only 15 minutes from Landfall. What a treat to be able to get up early, catch a few fish and be back at the office by 9:00. Does life get any better? I was bragging to a friend this morning about my catch and he informed me he had an incredible morning catching speckled trout in some of our local saltwater bays. He had one trout that weighed over 8 lbs. That, my friend, is a “big one.” I will continue to keep everyone posted on what is biting. In the mean time take a kid fishing and please practice catch and release.
Jim Coley
Broker
Filed in MEANDERINGS 2 Comments so far
Will Rhodes on 12 Jun 2009 at 8:19 pm #
Do I need a fishing license to try fishing at Sutton Lake? Can I fish anytime during the day? Would you send me directions from Landfall, Eastwood Road exit? Thanks very much.
Jim Coley on 15 Jun 2009 at 9:50 am #
Hi Will,
You will need a NC freshwater fishing license. This can be purchased at Redix, WalMart or Canady’s sporting goods. I believe the cost is $15.00. You can fish anytime during the day. I have found that early morning, just before daybreak, up until 8:00 am is great topwater action. After the sun is up I switch to soft plastics. The topwater bite is usually on again in the late afternoon. This past Thursday afternoon I caught 2 bass on the same topwater plug. One weighed about 3.5lbs the other 1.5lbs. I have never done this before but have seen it done. What a thrill!
From Landfall’s Eastwood gate turn right. Stay straight on Eastwood; it will turn into MLK parkway. Continue past the airport on your right. Take the Whiteville exit just after the airport. You will cross the Cape River Bridge near the new PPD facility. Turn right on Hwy 421 at the base of the bridge. Stay straight on 421. About 2-3 miles you will go under an overpass (140). Get in the left lane. Another half mile on your left start looking for The Sutton Lake road sign. The entrance is on the left next to a fire and rescue station. You will see a NC wildlife sign. After you turn left the lake is located another 2 miles.
Good luck and good fishing,
Jim Coley