Carolina Beach May 10, 2007
Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the internal flounder bite is finally beginning. Anglers are encountering flounder in the river and waterway creeks. Pogies are everywhere in local waters, and a small pogie on a Carolina rig will tempt flounder to bite. The offshore ledges and reefs are also holding hungry populations of larger flounder.
Inshore, the drum and trout bite has been scattered, with more drum than trout. The few trout that anglers are catching are coming from the river.
The past week has seen the spanish mackerel arrive in force. Look for spanish around Sheepshead Rock and along the beach near Southport. Trolled Clark spoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will draw strikes.
The kings are moving in close to the beach, and so are cobia. Cobia fishing should heat up at inshore spots like the Masonboro jetties in the upcoming weeks.
Bottom fishing for gag, red, and scamp grouper is best 30+ miles offshore right now. Cigar minnows, live baits, and cut baits will all attract grouper strikes.
In the Gulf Stream, yellowfin tuna and wahoo are still biting, and dolphin (up to 40 lbs.) have shown up as well. Trolling spreads of skirted ballyhoo or cedar plugs have been the most productive.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that speckled trout from 1.5 – 4 lbs. are hitting in the river and beneath waterway docks.
Flounder fishing has gotten better over the last two weeks. The small spring fish are still around, but anglers are also catching flatties up to 22”.
The whiting bite in the Cape Fear River Channel has turned on again, after slowing down for a week. Fresh shrimp on two hook bottom rigs are the key to success with the whiting.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel have arrived, and fishermen trolling Clark spoons around nearshore structure between Kure Pier and Sheepshead Rock are scoring with nice spanish.
There is plenty of bait to be caught in the Dredge Pond.
Dave, of FryingpanTower.com, reports that the Gulf Stream around the Same Ole and to the north has been hopping with dolphin and a mixed bag of wahoo and yellowfin tuna. The tuna bite has been an “on again off again” experience all season, so the arrival of the big dolphins is a welcome site. Pink/white and blue/white skirts seem to be the best producers on short rigged ballyhoo.
The offshore waters are full of king mackerel. They are just about everywhere you can find 69 plus degree water. Everything from Drone spoons to live bait to rigged ballyhoo on a variety of colors and skirt sizes will work.
The spanish have started to arrive in the area waters along the inlet and inshore rocks, but bluefish and bonitos are still the heavy hitters. Use 00 Clark spoons on long leaders, and be sure to drop one down low on a planer.
The red groupers are on the move. As the water warms, these reds will move all the way to 20-25 miles off the beach. The most recent reports had them in the 35-40 mile range and scattered as close as 30 miles. Scamps were 40+ miles, and gags were 20+ miles. Cut bait, live bait, squid, and cigar minnows are the baits of choice.
Jim, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bluefish and spanish mackerel are the best action on the pier right now. Those casting plugs are catching loads of bluefish, with a few spanish in the mix.
Bottom fishermen are scoring with 2+ lb. black drum by fishing shrimp on two hook rigs. Several big bluefish (up to 7 lbs.) have surprised anglers fishing shrimp on the bottom as well.
The water temperature is 68 degrees.
