First Offshore Fishing Day!

I have the fever. March 23, is an early 'offshore' day even by NC standards (unless you go the 42 miles to the Gulf Stream where everyday is summer). My good friend Ron and I went to a couple of artificial reefs just two to three miles offshore of Atlantic Beach. His boat this time, 24' Sailfish center console with 250hp Yamaha. Lots of dolphins frolicking out there. Beautiful day. Ocean fairly calm and smooth early in the AM. New sea birds on the scene! Have never seen these dudes before (going back to 1978, fishing out here). Hundred or so large white birds with heavy black tipped wings, light golden throat and neck feathers, three ft wingspan approx., about twice to three times the size of a seagull, very slender. Fantastic divers too. They would go to a height if about 40-50', fold their wings and plunge straignt down onto their finny prey. Checked my Audobon book later: Gannets, related to booby birds and frigates; far, far away from their normal Northern Canada habitat; normally come nowhere this far south during migrations. Whatssup? Water temp was 54.8 degreess. Much too chilly yet for the Spanish Mackeral, Cobia, Kingfish and many familiar bottom feeders like spots and trout. Only the small dogsharks were home and hungry. Using only medium spinning rods they put up a fight. We were using circle hooks making quick release fairly easy.