Carolina Beach – August 18, 2016
Cody, of Island Tackle, reports that the river has been producing a variety of fish, including flounder, red drum, and a few speckled trout. Live minnows or mullet are the key to hooking these fish. Around pilings and under Snow’s Cut Bridge, anglers fishing with sand fleas and fiddler crabs are connecting with black drum and sheepshead.
Surf anglers are connecting with small flounder using live shrimp or minnows. The warm water has slowed the bite so most are just catching pinfish and croakers, but those who fish into the evening hours will also hook up with sharks. Expect similar results if you are fishing from a local pier as well.
Nearshore, there have been gray trout reported, as well as the return of the bull reds, now showing in larger numbers. Live mullet is the surefire way to hook both species.
Offshore, there have been scattered mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna. Trolling a ballyhoo will connect with the pelagic species.
Bobby Basinger, of Salisbury, with a 32 red drum caught (and released) in Snows Cut on live finger mullet.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish bite has been picking up, and the reds are holed up in deeper water. They can also be found on the flats when conditions are right. Live bait, such as mullet, is the ticket, although the fish will hit artificials, such as Z-Man scented paddlers. These artificals can tempt bites from flounder and specks, too.
Topwater plugs during the morning hours is the best way to target trout in the area, and flounder (along with the reds) are in deeper water. Carolina rigs with live bait is the go-to way to connect with the flatfish in the deep holes.
The black drum bite has improved, and they will fall for shrimp, and even the occasional live minnow. Many small ones are in area waters, but larger ones are mixed in with the juveniles.
Big schools of bluefish are also around, and they are reported between 3-4 lbs., with a few 5 lb. fish mixed in. Those casting to the schools can expect to also hook up with jack crevelle and ladyfish.
Kai Faherty, of Bedford, VA, with a 26 7/8 red drum that fell for a live mud minnow around the Carolina Beach area.
Luke, of TopWater Guide Co., reports that fishing for the reds has been hit or miss. The best bite is in the early morning when chances are best to hook up with them on topwater. Once the sun gets up, fish live bait on bottom. Pogies or mullet will work to tempt the fish, and anglers should drop bait in 6-10’ of water in the heat of the day.
The trout are still scattered, but putting in the work can yield hookups early in the morning and late in the evening. Topwater lures, such as the Spook Jr. in bone color, or soft plastics (like Down South plastics) on a 1/8 oz. jighead will work as well. Red shad color has been favored as of late.
The flounder bite has picked up, with fishing docks and creek mouths in the waterway proving successful. Most of the flatfish landed have been keeper-sized, and most have fallen for Carolina rigs and live mullet.
Mike Larson with a 5 lb. tripletail caught using a pogie on a float rig. He was fishing around Fort Fisher with Capt. Jeff Wolfe of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters.
Rod, of OnMyWay Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel have moved out into the 5-10 mile range offshore. Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 planers will put fish in the boat.
King mackerel can be found in the 10-25 mile range, but there are still quite a few of the small ones (under 24”) that are being hooked.
Bottom fishing is good in the 20-35 mile range for those targeting big black sea bass, pink snapper, and grouper. Past the break, anglers are still connecting with scattered wahoo and blackfin tuna in the 8-10 lb. class.
Jesse, of Ocean Stinger Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore anglers are still connecting with spanish and bluefish. Most of the larger fish caught were 6+ lbs. and have been caught in 40-50’ of water. Dallas Rock, Liberty Ship, and the mouth of the inlets during a falling tide have all proven successful. Fishing finger mullet on a live bait rig has been the key to catching the big ones. Pulling planers and Clarkspoons has worked along the beaches in 40-50’ of water, too.
Offshore, the wahoo bite is still hot around the Steeples and the Same Ol’ Hole. The fish have shown up early this year, and they can be expected to stay through November. There are a few dolphin in the mix, along with sailfish hook-ups when targeted. Medium and medium/large ballyhoo is the bait of choice while pulling 7/0 or 8/0 wired ballyhoo rigs. Fast trolling Fathom Offshore rigs in purple/black, blue/black, and red/black has been very successful in hooking up with the migratory species.
Ryan Waddell, of Kure Beach, caught his first red drum near Fort Fisher. The fish was 24 and fell for a live mud minnow.
Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with quite a few flounder, as well as trout, croaker, whiting, bluefish, and spanish. Anglers looking to target the panfish should use fresh shrimp on a bottom rig. Mackerel trees have been working for the blues and spanish, and live minnows and shrimp will tempt bites from hungry flatfish.
DJ, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with keeper-sized and larger flounder using fresh shrimp. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are tempting bites from sheepshead, and cut bait and fresh shrimp will bring spots and Virginia mullet over the rails.
