Carolina Beach – October 12, 2017
Kevin, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that in the Cape Fear River and waterway, speckled trout fishing has remained steady. Those casting live shrimp under a popping cork or hard baits like topwater lures and MirrOlure MR17s have produced good numbers of fish. Targeting marsh points and oyster beds have been most productive.
The redfish bite has started to pick up. Anglers fishing with live finger mullet have done best, and docks and oyster structure have been the top producers for the reds.
At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, anglers have found a couple of bull drum willing to eat. Fishing has been off and on, but those willing to cover good amounts of water with large cut baits have done well.
Fishing from the surf and pier has kept anglers busy. Fresh shrimp and sand fleas have worked well for whiting, croaker, and pompano. Casting Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers from the pier has produced good numbers of bluefish and a few spanish. Slot-sized red drum have also been landed in the suds. Cut mullet has been the best way to hook the reds.
In the 20-25 mile range, the kings have been feeding. Most fish have been on the smaller side, though. A few mahi have been holding in this same mile range.
The wahoo have continued to be active further offshore in the bluewater.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers looking for red drum have had success in the shallow creeks of the lower Cape Fear River. Tossing live finger mullet on Carolina rigs near oyster structure and marsh points has been the tactic of choice.
The black drum bite has been up and down. On some days anglers have landed good numbers, and on other days the fish can’t be found. Most of the drum have bit fresh shrimp fished on the bottom. Targeting oyster beds and deeper holes has been the ticket to finding them.
A few speckled trout are starting to be caught in the area. The lure of choice has been a Trout Trick rigged on a 1/4 oz. jig head.
Off the beach, the big red drum bite has been hit or miss. A few fish have been landed, but overall it has been slow.
A few schools of false albacore have been feeding just off the beach. Casting jigs to busting fish has been the best way to hook up.
Jon King with a 35” red drum that was caught on a live mullet in the Cape Fear River. He was fishing with Capt. Luke Donat of Spot On Charters.
Greg, of TopWater Guide Co., reports that speckled trout have started to feed actively in the Cape Fear River. Anglers tossing topwater plugs near marsh lines, as well as live shrimp under float rigs, have picked up limits of fish.
Those looking for red drum have had success targeting the docks in the waterway and the Cape Fear River. Tossing live finger mullet on a Carolina rig has been the best way to land the reds. Artificials (such as Down South Lures soft plastics and Gulp shrimp) on a 1/4 oz. jig head have also worked well. Most fish have been between 20-24”, but a few upper-slot fish have been in the mix.
Just off the beach, the spanish bite is still steady. Casting Shore Lures around baitfish pods has been the best way to land them. A few false albacore have also been in the mix.
Rod, of OnMyWay Charters, reports that larger spanish (in the 3-5 lb. range) have been feeding just off the beach. A mix of trolling Clarkspoons and live baits have worked well for the spanish. A few fish landed have pushed the 7 lb. mark.
Kings have started feeding along the beaches. Most fish have been in the 15-25 lb. range, with a few bigger fish in the mix. Kings are also being landed in the 5-10 mile range. Live baits have been the best way to land the kings.
In the 25-35 mile range, the bottom fishing has picked up. Grouper, beeliners, and pink snapper have been willing to take an assortment of live and cut baits.
Out at the Gulf Stream, the wahoo bite remains solid. A few mahi and sailfish have been in the mix as well.
Joy Krajack (age 8), of Boiling Springs, NC, with a 24’’ red drum that fell for live finger mullet in a marsh near Fort Fisher.
Jesse, of Ocean Stinger Fishing Charters, reports that in 20-40′ of water, the spanish bite is still going strong. A few false albacore are mixed in with the spanish. Tolling 00 Clarkspoons in silver, silver/pink, and silver/green have done the trick.
In the 15-30 mile range, the king bite has been solid. Most fish have held between 80-100′ of water. Small Ilanders in blue/white and blue/green rigged with small ballyhoo have gotten the job done. Drone spoons in white/silver and green/yellow have also worked well.
A few mahi have been picked up in the 30 mile range while king fishing.
Out at the Gulf Stream, the wahoo bite has started to pick up again. Targeting 30-40 fathoms with black/purple and black/red Ilanders with large ballyhoo has worked best. Mahi and blackfin tuna have also been feeding well at the Stream, and small Ilanders rigged with small ballyhoo have produced the most fish.
Leffie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that the spanish bite has turned on and anglers tossing Gotcha plugs have found plenty of action.
Those fishing the bottom have landed whiting, spot, bluefish, and a few keeper flounder.
Betty, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that the spot run has started and anglers have found quite a few fish for the cooler.
A mix of flounder, pompano, and black drum have also been landed, and a few kings have started to show up on the end of the pier.
