Wrightsville Beach July 28, 2011
Tom Shaw, of Wilmington, with a 24" red drum that struck a live finger mullet in the ICW near Wrightsville Beach.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some spanish mackerel in the early mornings while working Gotcha plugs off the piers and trolling Clarkspoons, spanish daisies, and other flashy lures along the beachfront from boats.
The red drum bite inshore has been solid lately, and anglers are finding the fish on the flats, in the creeks, and in the surf zone. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and a variety of other baits and lures will tempt bites from the reds when they’re hungry.
Anglers are hooking good numbers of flounder while fishing near the inlets and around structure in the ICW and Cape Fear River. Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and Gulp baits are all good choices for the flatfish.
Steve, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that the sailfish bite off Wrightsville Beach has been solid lately, and boats aren’t running that far to get into them. The 12-20 mile range has been producing the most fish, and trolling teasers like dredges and daisy chains along with small and medium ballyhoo is the way to bring them to the boat.
Inshore, the red drum bite is excellent right now. Anglers are finding the reds feeding from Topsail down to the Cape Fear River, with the marshy bays and backwaters producing most of the fish. Topwater plugs will tempt bites from the reds, and anglers can also hook up on dead and cut baits when they aren’t feeding on the surface.
The best flounder action has been coming from the area inlets lately (where anglers are hooking fish to 6-7 lbs.). Live finger mullet and Gulp baits or other scented soft plastics will get attention from the flatfish.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing in the 18-20 mile range off Wrightsville is producing action with some gag grouper, triggerfish, black sea bass, grunts, pinkies, and more. Live baits like menhaden are top choices for the grouper, while squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the other bottom dwellers.
Further offshore, dropping to ledges and live bottoms in around 120’ of water is also putting some fat gags in the fish box, along with some big (to nearly 20 lbs.) scamp groupers and a variety of other bottomfish. Here again, live baits offer anglers the best shots at the larger grouper.
Robert Landry (age 10), from Greensboro, with a 3 lb., 14 oz. black drum that inhaled a live fiddler crab at a Harbor Island dock.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has been good lately within a few miles of the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons in the cleaner water around working birds and surface activity is the way to hook the spaniards.
Large sharks are feeding in the same areas, and drifting cut baits behind any shrimp boats anglers see working virtually guarantees a hookup with one of the big predators.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite has been decent around the inlets and nearby structure. Live finger mullet will fool the flatfish and reds.
Tim, of Fishin’ Days Charters, reports that the sailfish bite has been excellent off Wrightsville lately, with several boats recording multiple releases and seeing good numbers of fish. The action’s been best 20 or so miles out, and finding suspended bait and working that bait is key to raising the sails. Trolling dredge and daisy chain teasers and dink ballyhoo hook baits is the most effective strategy.
Justin, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some flounder on small live baits from the pier.
Bottom fishing with cut baits has been producing some decent red drum action, with the best fishing in the early mornings.
Spanish mackerel (some 3-4 lbs.) are falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some spot, croaker, and sharks at night.
The water is 82 degrees.
