Wrightsville Beach July 1, 2004
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports better sized flounder being landed with more keepers than throwbacks in the inlet areas of Rich’s, Mason’s, and Masonboro. Sheepshead fishing is really picking up along pilings in the waterway with sand fleas or fiddlers. A few red drum are scattered around biting live baits. There’s a better bite coming from the river area which may also offer a shot at a speckled trout. Spanish mackerel are on the beach to 5 miles out, and the king/dolphin bite is still in the 18 to 30 mile range with smaller kings closer to shore. Cobia up to 70 lbs. are still being caught just off the jetty and out at a majority of the artificial reefs. Amberjacks will be found around the Dredge Wreck and Schoolhouse, but the wind has ruined a topwater bite. The wind has also spoiled the trips of gulf stream fishermen because there are very few boats making the trip.
Dickie, at Tidal Market, reports better flounder action in the inlets with bigger fish coming out of Carolina Beach Inlet and Snow’s Cut. Red drum and speckled trout are scattered along the river and biting artificials. Sheepshead are becoming more abundant along pilings and bridges. On the outside, the cobia fishing is still strong with fish from the jetty to the Liberty Ship and on out to the 10 to 15 mile reefs. King mackerel are still on their usual strongholds in the 5 to 30 mile areas with dolphin mixed in at the 23 Mile Rock. Amberjacks are still at the Schoolhouse. Bottom fishing 20 to 30 miles out has produced a nice snapper and grouper bite, if you can stand the seas.
Lloyd, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports very few wahoo at the stream, with gaffer dolphin and some tuna more prevalent. Closer in, king mackerel, dolphin, and a few cobia are mixed in at the artificial reefs and shouldn’t turn down live bait. Red drum have turned on with fish being caught at the jetties and in the river. Flounder action continues to be hot with fish moving into the creeks. Mud minnows and mullet have both been working for flounder.
Matt, at Johnnie Mercer Pier, reports mixed action with a good Virginia mullet bite with fish weighing 2.19, 2.05, and 1.5 lbs. Croaker, whiting and flounder are also coming over the rails, with a few spanish and bluefish out on the end. One undersized king was caught and released, and there were tarpon sightings by king fishermen.
Tyler, at Intracoastal Angler, reports very good red drum fishing with some hitting topwaters in the river. Menhaden are all along the waterways, and this only helps the redfishing. A few speckled trout were caught on grubs along the Cape Fear River, and keeper flounder are being landed at Yaupon Reef off of Oak Island. Few reports from offshore, but the dolphin should be mixed in with the king mackerel and cobia.
