Carolina Beach – August 20, 2015
Wes, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers fishing the ICW and Cape Fear River have been connecting with some solid flounder recently (with several citation 5+ lb. fish weighed in). Most are falling for live finger mullet and menhaden.
Anglers have also been connecting with some speckled trout in the river. The specks are falling for live baits a variety of artificial lures.
Surf casters are finding action with sea mullet, pompano, and other panfish while baiting up with shrimp.
Plenty of spanish mackerel have been feeding just off the beachfront (with some big fish). Anglers are hooking them on Gotcha plugs and other casting lures from the piers and while trolling lures like Clarkspoons from boats.
Some large king mackerel have also been feeding along the beachfront. Most are biting live baits like menhaden and bluefish.
Dolphin reports have been fairly spotty recently.
Anglers trolling the Gulf Stream are seeing good numbers of wahoo. Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are fooling the ‘hoos.
Ashley Duncan, of Huntington, WV, with an over-slot red drum that bit a large finger mullet in Snow’s Cut while she was fishing with Capt. Charlie Schoonmaker of Back Bay Fishing Charters.
Rod, of OnMyWay Charters, reports that anglers have found an excellent spanish mackerel bite along the beachfront in 25-40’ of water over the past week (with both plenty of fish and a solid average size). Anglers are hooking most of the fish on #0 and #00 Clarkspoons pulled behind planers and trolling sinkers.
Some stout king mackerel have been biting from the beachfront to the 25 mile range recently (some 30-50+ lbs.). Anglers are hooking the big kings on live menhaden and bluefish.
A few wahoo have also been caught inside the 35 mile range on live baits and rigged ballyhoo anglers are trolling for dolphin.
The dolphin bite 20-30 miles out remains good (primarily for schoolie-sized fish).
Anglers making the run to the Gulf Stream have seen a very good wahoo bite over the past week (with both big numbers and fish). Most of the ‘hoos are taking an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
Bottom fishermen are reporting solid numbers of gag grouper, red porgy, and black sea bass while dropping baits to structure 20-30 miles offshore. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut and live baits are fooling the bottom feeders.
Tanner Benton, of Wilmington, with a citation 5 lb., 8 oz. flounder that struck a live finger mullet in the Cape Fear River near Carolina Beach. Weighed in at Island Tackle and Hardware.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that there’s been some good spanish mackerel fishing along the beachfront lately. Most of the spanish are falling for trolled Clarkspoons, but anglers can also cast metal jigs like Stingsilvers to the fish when they’re schooled up tight.
Flounder fishing is improving inshore and at nearshore structure in the ocean.
Anglers are connecting with the flatfish while sending live finger mullet and menhaden to the bottom on Carolina rigs.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still connecting with good numbers of red drum while fishing the bays and creeks off the lower Cape Fear River. Live finger mullet are producing most of the action with the reds at present, but anglers are also hooking up on topwater plugs, Gulp baits, and other artificials.
Some flounder and speckled trout are also feeding in the backwaters off the lower river. Both are falling for live baits and artificials as well.
Brenda, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some solid flounder while fishing live baits around the pilings.
Bottom fishermen are decking some croaker, spot, and sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp.
Tatiana, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that plug casters have been hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotchas and other casting lures from the pier.
Some croaker and sea mullet are biting shrimp on bottom rigs.
Anglers fishing live baits under the pier are connecting with some flounder.
