Wrightsville Beach – September 25, 2014
Tracy Dula, of Charlotte, NC, with a 53 lb. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo behind a Blue Water Candy JAG in 200′ of water near the Same Ol’ Hole. He was fishing off Wrightsville Beach with Capt. Mike Jackson of Live Line Charters.
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are starting to see a fall speckled trout bite in the area, with a few fish biting in the creeks and near the inlets around Wrightsville. The action’s been better near Carolina Beach and in the river, but the local fish should be turning on stronger over the coming weeks. Topwater plugs, suspending lures like MR17 MirrOlures and Rapala X-Raps, and a variety of soft plastic baits will fool the specks, and live baits like shrimp and finger mullet are also very effective.
Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas as the specks, on local flats, and around docks and other ICW structure. They’ll bite the same artifcials as the specks or live and cut mullet and crabs.
Flounder fishing has also been strong recently (with some 5+ lb. citation fish). Like the specks, there’s been a better bite around Carolina Beach and in the river, but some solid fish have come from Wrightsville and the action should be improving. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are the best bets for the flatfish, but Gulps and other soft baits will also produce results.
Surf casters are hooking some red drum and sea mullet along Wrightsville’s shoreline. Shrimp and cut baits are the way to go in the breakers.
Anglers working casting lures (like Shore Lures and Gotcha plugs) around the inlets and from the piers are connecting with solid numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
The wind has made it tough for boats to get out in the ocean lately, but the spanish bite has been good for the few boaters who’ve tried it as well. Trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal lures to fish feeding on the surface are the ways to connect with the spanish.
Several king mackerel have been landed from local piers recently, and anglers should see a solid beach bite when it’s calm enough to get out. Live baits like menhaden are tough to beat for the kings.
Tracy Saieed with a 26″ red drum that attacked a Gulp shrimp near Richs Inlet while she was fishing on the “Wahoo.”
Flounder have been feeding around nearshore bottom structure in the ocean, and anglers can hook the flatfish on 1-2 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp baits or on live baits dropped to the structure.
Structure a bit further out is hosting gag grouper and other bottom fish like grunts and black sea bass. All will fall for dead and cut baits on bottom rigs.
The wahoo bite has been strong all summer and should only be getting better for anglers making the run to blue water this fall. Both conventional ballyhoo trolling and baitless high-speed lures will put the ‘hoos in the boat.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that there’s still excellent wahoo action in the Gulf Stream when boats get the weather to make the run. Blackfin tuna should be joining the ‘hoos in increasing numbers as the water temperatures begin to fall.
Vertical jigging along the break is producing fast action with large amberjacks and some grouper.
Anglers bottom fishing in 110-140’ of water are hooking red and scamp grouper along with a variety of smaller fish like triggerfish, beeliners, and porgies. Vertical jigs and bottom rigs baited with cigar minnows and squid are the way to go.
Closer to shore, the gag grouper bite in 70-90’ of water has been solid. The same baits will fool the gags.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel action was wide open last week, with big numbers of fish (and some big fish) falling for trolled Clarkspoons and metal casting jigs.
Plenty of false albacore are feeding in the same areas and will pounce on the spoons and jigs as well. They’re also often quite willing to bite flies.
Bottom fishing 10-20 miles out has been producing action with gag grouper, black sea bass, grunts, and other tasty fish. Squid, sardines, and a variety of other baits will all produce results on the bottom.
Qwen Gorchess (age 7) with his first red drum, a 25″ fish that fell for a live finger mullet near Wrightsville Beach.
Wes, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that a 31 lb. king mackerel fell for a live bait off the end of the pier last week. Several more have been hooked lately as well.
Anglers working Gotcha plugs are hooking big numbers of bluefish and spanish mackerel, and a 25 lb. cobia fell for a plug last week, too.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms are hooking spot, pompano, croaker, and other panfish.
Flounder and upper-slot red drum are feeding in the breakers at higher tides and biting live and cut baits.
