Carolina Beach April 10, 2014
Chris Shoemaker (age 8), of Winston-Salem, NC, with a 25″ red drum that struck frozen finger mullet in the surf at Carolina Beach.
Wes, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet in the river near Bald Head Island. Most are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs, and the bite should improve in the coming weeks. Anglers can also expect the sea mullet to start feeding along the beachfront in the near future.
Speckled trout are feeding in creeks and around structure in the lower Cape Fear River, but not many people have been fishing for them since the season is closed until mid-June. Anglers who want to enjoy some catch-and-release fun with the specks can tempt them to bite a variety of soft plastic baits or suspending plugs like MirrOLure MR17’s.
Red drum are feeding in the bays and creeks in the same areas. Soft plastics like Gulps will generally tempt bites from the reds, but live mud minnows or cut shrimp can be more effective when they’re not feeding actively.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still finding some red drum action in the bays and creeks off the lower Cape Fear River, but they’ve been a bit tougher to hook over the past few weeks than earlier in the year. Once a more consistent spring weather pattern establishes itself, the reds will likely begin feeding more actively.
When the weather’s pretty, anglers may be able to find schools of the reds working the area bays and sight-cast to them.
Steve Haynes, of Wilmington, with a 50 lb. wahoo that attacked a trolled ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream off Wrightsville Beach while he was fishing on the “Salty Seaman.”
Live baits and cut shrimp are the best bets for the reds when they’re not in a feeding mood, but anglers can hook up on a variety of soft plastics as well.
Not many anglers are fishing for speckled trout, but decent numbers are feeding in the lower river around grass islands, oyster bars, and other current breaks. They’ll bite soft plastics pinned to light jigheads as well.
Sea mullet are feeding around the mouth of the river and will eagerly bite cut shrimp on bottom rigs.
Jamie, of Seagate Charters, reports that anglers are still seeing some excellent striped bass action in the Cape Fear River around Wilmington. Working soft plastic baits along structure like drop-offs and timber is producing most of the action with the stripers.
Red drum are feeding on the shoals near local inlets, and anglers can chase them from boats on calm days. Searching for schools working around the white water and casting Gulp baits or other artificials is the way to connect with the surf reds.
Red drum are also feeding around docks and other structure inshore. They’ll bite soft baits like Gulps, but cut baits are often even more effective.
Fred and Jean Walker, from Pender County, with a pair of red drum that bit shrimp on jigheads in a creek near Bald Head Island. They were fishing with Capt. Jeff Wolfe of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters.
Speckled trout are beginning to show up in their spring haunts and should be feeding more actively as the water continues to warm up. Soft plastics or suspending lures like Rapala X-Raps will tempt bites from the specks.
Flounder are also starting to get more active, and the action will be improving as spring wears on and large numbers of fish move into the inlets. Live mud minnows or soft baits like Gulps will attract attention from the flatfish.
Cathy, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are hooking a few sea mullet and sand sharks while bottom fishing from the planks. Most are falling for shrimp.
Bryan, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking some sea mullet and pufferfish while bottom fishing with shrimp and cut baits. A few small flounder, bluefish, and black drum have been in the mix over the past week as well.
