Carolina Beach August 16, 2007
Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing remains good in the ICW, Snows Cut, Carolina Beach Inlet, and at the nearshore reefs. Carolina-rigged finger mullet and Gulp Alive baits should produce plenty of flounder strikes.
Red drum are looking for meals in the creeks, the ICW, and the inlets. Some larger drum (20+ lbs.) are feeding on the Yaupon Reef. Live finger mullet and Gulp Alive baits should prove as tempting to the drum as they are to the flounder.
Docks and bridges in the ICW and river are holding plenty of sheepshead. The striped fish are hanging close to the pilings, and they will strike fiddler crabs and other crustacean baits. Some of the sheepshead are brutes (over 10 lbs.). Anglers can “chum” the sheepshead into a feeding mood by scraping barnacles off the pilings before dropping their baits.
The river is still giving up a few speckled trout. Live baits and Gulp Alive are producing most of the fish (which are averaging 1-3 lbs.), and the rock wall has been a productive spot recently.
Spadefish are schooled up at the Yaupon Reef. Anglers can hook up with the spades by fishing with strips of jelly balls on small hooks.
The nearshore reefs are holding some gray trout. Jigging a Stingsilver over the structure should produce some action with the grays, and anglers can tip the lure with a piece of shrimp for added attraction.
Tarpon are still feeding on the shoals near the river mouth. Live pogies are good baits for the tarpon, and anglers can fish them both on the surface and at the bottom around areas where they see the huge fish rolling on the surface.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been sporadic along the beaches. When boats can locate the fish, they’ll fall for Clarkspoons and Deep Divers.
Most of the kings are feeding off the beach, from the Dredge Wreck on out. Bait has been thick in the 10 mile area one day and gone the next. Anglers who find the bait schools should be able to hook up with some kings. Live pogies are the best king baits, particularly for the bigger fish.
Sailfish are still feeding along with the kings. Boats released sails at spots between 5-20 miles offshore over the last week. The sails will fall for live baits or rigged ballyhoo.
Some wahoo have surprised king mackerel anglers 15-20 miles offshore. Most of the offshore weedlines have broken up and dissipated, and as a result the dolphin are scattered.
Bottom fishing has been good, with boats landing some gag grouper around 20 miles offshore, and reds and scamps at the 30+ mile spots.
The Gulf Stream is giving up some dolphin, wahoo, and big kings for boats making the run there.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that flounder fishing is still excellent. Most of the fish are coming from Carolina Beach Inlet, the ICW, Snows Cut, and the nearshore reefs. Live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs are the top flounder baits, and they will also get attention from any red drum or trout that are around.
In addition to the flounder, anglers are landing some large red drum (up to 34”) and some chopper bluefish (10+ lbs.) while drifting with live finger mullet in Snows Cut.
Gray trout are showing up on the nearshore reefs, and they will strike the same baits anglers are fishing for flounder.
Some spanish mackerel have been feeding between Carolina Beach Inlet and the nearshore structure, but the spanish bite has been somewhat sporadic.
Shauna, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that that hot weather and high winds have kept fishing slow over the past week. The cooler, stable weather in the upcoming forecast should improve things.
The water temperature is 87 degrees.
