Added on Thursday, August 21, 2008  Gary Hurley

Wrightsville Beach August 21, 2008

Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are finding plenty of red drum feeding near docks off the ICW (with good numbers of 30+” fish in the mix). Live finger mullet and other baits will draw plenty of bites from the drum, and anglers can also hook them on topwater plugs in the mornings.

Flounder fishing has been pretty good in the inlets and in Snow’s Cut (anglers reported a number of fish in the 5 lb. class this week). Live baits fished on Carolina rigs will fool the flounder.

The spanish mackerel bite has been good right from the sea buoy out to spots in the three mile range. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers will draw plenty of bites from the spanish, and the fish have been concentrated enough for anglers to cast heavy jigs like the Shore Lure Glass Minnows at breaking schools.

Boats are finding action with king mackerel, dolphin, and some sailfish 10-30 miles offshore. The bite has been especially good at ledges in the 20-25 mile range over the past few weeks. Live baits will attract attention from all these fish, and small ballyhoo fished on Hank Brown rigs have also been getting the job done lately.

The grouper bite has been good (mostly for reds and gags) with the exception of the days around last week’s full moon. Most of the action has been at ledges 25-35 miles offshore, with a few gags in closer. Live baits, frozen cigar minnows, and metal jigs are all scoring bites from the groupers.

Some boats made their way to the Gulf Stream last week, and they reported a good wahoo bite straight off Wrightsville Beach.

 

Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers had some good bottom fishing last week 30-40 miles off the inlet, landing some large sea bass (3-4 lbs.), snappers, a few fat red grouper (around 15 lbs.), and other bottomfish. Cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits are all tempting strikes from the bottom fish.

King mackerel are feeding in the same areas, and tossing out a few baits while anglers are searching for productive grouper bottom should generate some hookups.

King mackerel and dolphin have also been on the feed just north of the 30/30 lately. Dead cigar minnows are drawing strikes from the dolphin (some up to 15 lbs.) and kings (most are 5-10 lb. fish).

Closer to the beaches, anglers were finding excellent spanish mackerel fishing before last week’s rains dirtied the water, and the fish should be feeding within a few miles of land again once the water clears.

 

Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that red drum fishing has been solid in Masonboro Sound as of late (with some fish pushing 30″). Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are attracting attention from the reds.

Flounder seem to be holding on the drop-offs just off the docks and along grass edges at higher tides. Finger mullet have also been producing bites from the flounder.

There’s been a good topwater bite very early in the mornings in the Cape Fear River, with some action around Figure Eight as well. Anglers should look for schools of mullet being harassed by predators to find early action with speckled trout and ladyfish.

There are still some sharks feeding nearshore, with good action at ledges around five miles offshore last week. Cut and live baits will attract attention from the sharks.

 

Mike, of No Excuses Charters, reports that large schools of spanish mackerel (many 2-3 lbs. with a few up to 5 lbs.) are busting bait on the surface from Mason’s Inlet to Johns Creek. The best action has been 1/2 to 3 miles off the beaches, and small glass minnow imitations are fooling the fish.

The nearshore gag grouper bite has been good 12-17 miles off the beaches for anglers who have good numbers in the area.

Inshore, creek points and nearby docks are producing action with flounder, with enough keepers thrown in for anglers to take home some fish. Live finger mullet and Gulp shrimp and jerkbaits are fooling most of the fish.

Red drum fishing has been a little spotty lately, but anglers who are persistent should be able to find some fish.

 

James, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking more flounder this week. Most are falling for small live baits fished on the bottom.

Anglers baiting bottom rigs with cut shrimp are landing some whiting and croakers, with the best action during the evening hours.

Plug casters are hooking bluefish most of the day. Some spanish mackerel and small kings are mixed in.

The water is around 82 degrees.