Carolina Beach – August 7, 2014
Ray Fowler, of Wilmington, with an 11 lb. flounder that struck a live mullet in Snows Cut.
Sidney, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers have been seeing some solid flounder action in the ICW, Cape Fear River, and the surf recently. Most of the flatfish are falling for live finger mullet and mud minnows.
King mackerel have been feeding close to the beaches, and anglers hooked several from boats and the piers last week.
There’s been a good grouper bite for offshore bottom fishermen.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that before the deluge last week, anglers were seeing some excellent red drum action in the bays and creeks off the lower Cape Fear River. Large schools of reds have been feeding on the flats, making for some exciting sight-fishing when the winds are low. More fish are feeding in smaller pods in the creeks and along shorelines, where anglers can tempt them to bite topwater plugs, soft plastic baits, and live mud minnows, shrimp, and finger mullet.
The speckled trout action in the river has also been decent, and anglers are hooking the specks alongside the reds and while fishing oyster and grass points and rocky areas. Live baits, soft plastics, and topwaters will all get attention from the trout, too.
David Batson, of Burgaw, NC, with an over-slot red drum that bit a live finger mullet in Snows Cut while he was fishing on the “Seabacon.”
Flounder are feeding in many of the same areas, and anglers have been hooking decent numbers (and some solid fish) while casting artificials for the reds and specks.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around inshore structure like pilings and rocks. Anglers can dangle fiddler crabs alongside the structure to tempt them to bite.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that anglers are still connecting with some red drum, bluefish, and speckled trout in the Cape Fear River in the wake of the soaking that the region took last week. The reds and trout had started taking topwater plugs readily before the rain, and the action should be back on track after the fresh water flushes offshore over the coming days.
The flounder bite was also turning on last week, and anglers should see the flatfish action turn back on in the coming days as well. Anglers were hooking most of the flatfish on live baits and soft plastics while looking for the specks and reds.
There’s also been some good flounder and drum action in Carolina Beach Inlet and at nearshore structure in the ocean recently for anglers soaking live mullet and menhaden.
Storm Cline, of TN, with a 29″ red drum he caught and released near Carolina Beach while fishing with Capt. Charlie Schoonmaker of Back Bay Fishing Charters.
Increasing numbers of gray trout have been mixed in with the inlet and ocean fish.
Brenda, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some croaker, sea mullet, and a few spot while baiting bottom rigs with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are biting smaller live baits under the pier.
Alice, of Kure Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Flounder are taking an interest in live baits on the bottom.
