Wrightsville Beach June 23, 2011
Jr. Melvin, John Wallace, Cody Dickens, and Walt Smith, of Wilmington, with red, scamp, and gag grouper they hooked on sardines and cut baits 45 miles off Masonboro Inlet aboard the "FishZilla."
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the flounder bite has been rather good inshore lately.
Anglers are catching numbers of the flatfish (though many are small) around the inlets. Some larger fish are coming from inshore structure like docks and drop-offs. Live mud minnows, finger mullet, or small menhaden will tempt bites from the flatfish, and anglers can also hook up while working Gulp baits along the bottom.
Sheepshead are feeding around inshore structure like rocks and bridge and dock pilings. Fiddler crabs dangled tight to the structure will draw bites from the sheeps.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been good around the inlets and along the beaches in the early mornings, but the bite’s been petering out quickly as the sun climbs. Trolling Clarkspoons and other small lures is the way to find the spaniards. Once anglers locate some feeding fish, they may be able to cast Shore Lures, Gotcha plugs, or other metal lures to hook up on lighter tackle.
A few king mackerel and cobia are feeding along the beaches, but they’ve been a little tough to target.
Anglers are also finding some kings and dolphin in the 10-20 mile range off Masonboro, but they’ve been hit-or-miss as well. Trolling dead cigar minnows or live baits will fool the fish when/if anglers find them.
A few sailfish have pushed inshore from the Gulf Stream.
Bottom fishermen are reporting some solid action with gag grouper around structure in the 90’ depth range.
Red and scamp grouper are feeding at spots further out, with good fishing around 40 miles off last week. Live and dead baits, cut baits, and vertical jigs will all attract attention from the groupers.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers are finding a solid red drum bite around docks off the ICW. Live baits and Gulps and other artificials will attract attention from the reds.
Flounder fishing has been good around the inlets recently, where live baits and Gulps are producing action with the flatfish. With all the hot weather recently, it’s also a good time to try looking for flounder around the nearshore reefs and wrecks.
Some fat speckled trout are showing up in the local creeks. Live baits, topwater plugs, soft plastics, and many other lures can prove effective on the trout.
There’s been some solid sheepshead fishing around the docks and bridges in the area. Fiddler crabs are the go-to baits for the sheeps.
Plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding around the inlets and along the beachfront, where anglers can hook up with them by trolling Clarkspoons or casting small metal lures to fish feeding on the surface.
A few king mackerel have been caught from the piers and a few at structure in the 10 mile range, but overall the king bite is rather slow.
Anglers have seen and hooked some cobia from the beaches out to offshore spots over the past week.
Dolphin fishing is still excellent in the Gulf Stream, and anglers are also connecting with decent numbers of sailfish and blue and white marlin while trolling the blue water.
Matthew Colonna, of Wrightsville Beach, with a large red grouper he hooked on a vertical jig while fishing some bottom structure 50 miles off Masonboro Inlet.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that amberjacks and cobia are still feeding around structure in the 10 mile range. Both will take a deep interest in live menhaden. The cobia often follow hooked amberjacks to the surface, so anglers should have a bait ready to pitch if a cobe shows up.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been a little tougher lately, but anglers found some good action with the spaniards in around 40’ of water off Wrightsville last week. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers is the way to put the mackerel in the boat.
Large sharks are feeding nearshore, and anglers should have little trouble hooking up with them on large cut baits, especially near shrimp boats culling their catch.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish early in the days while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Some bluefish, sea mullet, and a few spot are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
The water temperature is 77 degrees.
