Carolina Beach September 25, 2008
- Vicki Boyd, Paula Lee, and Teresa Lomas, of Carolina Beach, with a trio of fat flounder weighing 5.4, 4, and 7.1 lbs. They hooked the fish on live baits while fishing in the Cape Fear River with John Lomas. Photo courtesy of Island Tackle and Hardware.
Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder fishing is improving as the dirty water that Tropical Storm Hanna left behind flushes out of the area. Anglers are catching the flounder on Carolina-rigged live baits in the inlets, the creeks, and grass banks and structure in Snow’s Cut and the Cape Fear River.
A good number of red drum are mixed in with the flounder, and the drum bite at the Masonboro jetties is also turning on.
The Cape Fear River speckled trout bite is getting even better, and anglers are starting to catch decent numbers of the fish on topwater plugs in the early morning hours. Live shrimp and artificial lures like Gulp and Halo shrimp will also attract attention from the specks.
Sheepshead fishing has been good inshore lately as well, with the best action around docks off the ICW. Fiddler crabs are top baits for the sheeps, and anglers have been catching the largest fish at night.
Surf fishing has been producing some solid action with red drum and bluefish (up to 5 lbs.). Cut baits should attract attention from both species.
Off the beaches, flounder and gray trout are holding on nearshore wrecks and reefs when the wind lets boats get out to them. Both species will respond to a live bait on a Carolina rig, and anglers can target the trout by vertically jigging with a Stingsilver (even more effective if tipped with a bit of shrimp).
The spanish mackerel bite has been excellent when boats can get out as well, and trolled Clarkspoons should fool the speedy mackerel.
The king mackerel bite has turned on along the southern beaches and in the river channel. Several fish in the 40 lb. class were caught at Yaupon Reef last week, and anglers were also catching big numbers of fish at Yaupon and along the Brunswick County beaches.
Some cobia have been mixed in with the kings along the beaches, with scattered fish further offshore.
Bottom fishing is still solid, with anglers putting together good catches of red, scamp, and gag grouper in the 30+ mile range, along with plenty of other bottomfish. A few grouper are feeding in closer, but the best odds for a good day of bottom fishing are out in the deeper water.
Not many boats have been to the Gulf Stream lately, but as of the last report anglers were picking away at the wahoo and some dolphin still in the area. The wahoo bite will continue as fall gets underway, so anglers should be ready for some hot ‘hoo action when the winds lay down.Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that flounder fishing is still solid throughout the area, with the best bite lately in Snow’s Cut, the Cape Fear River, and the ICW. Live baits fished on Carolina rigs are top choices for the flounder.
Some red drum are mixed in with the flatfish, and anglers can also find action with them around docks off the ICW. Live finger mullet and other baits will be tough for the drum to resist.
The speckled trout bite has been good all year, and it’s only getting better as summer turns to fall. Grass islands, drop-offs, and other structure in the lower Cape Fear are the best places to target the specks. Live shrimp are far and away the best baits, and they should be fished under slip-float rigs; however, anglers are also hooking the fish on DOA and Billy Bay shrimp imitations.
Tim Coy, from Holly Ridge, NC, with a 35 lb. king mackerel he caught while light-lining and bottom fishing with Capt. Brad Phillips of Fish Spanker Charters out of Carolina Beach. The party also hooked red grouper, American red snapper, other bottomfish, and dolphin.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper and bottomfish bite remains hot 35-40 miles off the beaches. Anglers are hauling up red and scamp grouper, a few gags, beeliners, grunts, pinkies, and other bottomfish while baiting up with squid, cigar minnows, cut baits, and live baits.
The bottom action hasn’t been the only story, though, as king mackerel and dolphin are feeding in the same areas. Most of the dolphin are peanuts (but they’re numerous), and some of the kings are smokers (like the 35 lb. fish an angler landed on a light-line while bottom fishing last week).
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel bite is still decent, and there are some false albacore mixed in with them. Trolled Clarkspoons should fool both fish.
Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are catching croaker, black drum, pompano, bluefish, and a few spot on shrimp and cut baits.
Flounder are falling for live minnows fished on the bottom.
Plug casters are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees.
Live baiters caught several king mackerel last week.
The water is 78 degrees.
