Carolina Beach May 31, 2007
Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout bite in the Cape Fear River is still good. The trout will hit DOA shrimp and Gulp baits, but live shrimp and pogies are tops as far as bait goes.
Red drum are still in the creeks to the north and feeding underneath ICW docks. There are some drum down in the bays, but not in large schools.
Anglers are finding flounder in the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin, in the river, and on ICW structure. The flounder will happily eat peanut pogies pinned to Carolina rigs.
Snow’s Cut is full of chopper bluefish, and blues are also running in the river. The larger blues (8+ lbs.) are mostly in Snow’s Cut, and they will eat nearly anything, from cut baits to spoons.
The spanish mackerel bite has slowed down on the beach.
Snake kings are schooled up on structure 5-10 miles from the beach. Anglers are getting into bigger kings from 23 Mile Rock on offshore. Live baits (such as pogies) and dead cigar minnows have been getting attention from the kings.
Boats are bringing in some cobia, but they are still coming from spots 10+ miles offshore.
The grouper bite has been good, with anglers finding reds, gags, and scamps from 30 miles and further offshore. Squid and cigar minnows are good baits to start out with for the grouper.
In the Gulf Stream, dolphin are dominating most boats’ catches. There are still some wahoo and tuna out there, but keeping a bait in the water long enough to catch them is difficult with the number of hungry dolphin around. The hottest areas over the past week have been the Same Ol’ Hole and the Steeples.
Some billfish have been reported at spots further north.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the flounder are getting bigger. Nice fish are coming from Carolina Beach Inlet, Snow’s Cut, and the river. Carolina-rigged peanut pogies will draw strikes from the flatfish, and some bait-sized finger mullet are finally showing up as well.
The flounder bite at the nearshore reefs is getting started, too. It should get even better over the next few weeks.
In the river, trout fishing is still doing well. Trout are holding along shell islands in the main river and in Buzzard’s Bay. Fish a DOA or Berkley Powerbait shrimp under a popping cork to get the trout’s attention. White and chartreuse have been the hottest shrimp colors recently.
Red drum fishing is a bit slow. There are some reds in the bays off the river, but no large schools.
Sheepshead are holding at the Pfizer dock and Snow’s Cut Bridge, and they’re running 2-6 lbs. Catch fiddler crabs at low tide in the marsh to have the best sheepshead baits.
Fisher, of Capt. Fisher’s Guide Service, reports that trout fishing remains good in the river, with some trout up to 5 lbs. Big trout are also holding in Hewlett’s Creek. Fish a DOA shrimp underneath a popping cork or a Rapala X-Rap in white or black/gold to score with the trout.
Flounder fishing is still good, and the fish are improving in quality, with plenty of 3-4 lb. flounder caught over last week.
A few red drum are feeding in the marshes, but not in big schools. The drum will hit gold spoons, spinner baits, and topwater plugs.
Bluefish are still feeding at the Masonboro Jetties.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been good on the beaches and at nearshore structure when the water stays clear. The spanish will hit trolled Clark spoons, but casting Gotcha plugs and Maria jigs to schools of breaking fish offers a chance to take the fish on lighter tackle.
King mackerel are feeding right on the beach off Oak Island, and they will pounce on a slow trolled pogie.
Lynn, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are scoring with croaker, whiting, and a few pompano. Shrimp are getting bites from all three.
Flounder (up to 3 lbs.) are hitting live mud minnows fished on the bottom.
A variety of sizes of bluefish (from 1-2 lb. snappers to 8+ lb. choppers) are eating cut baits on the bottom and Gotcha plugs. Anglers casting Gotchas are also picking up a few nice spanish mackerel.
The water temperature is in the low 70’s.
