Carolina Beach September 2, 2004
Harry G, of Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that the big flounder are starting to move back inside. The freshwater from the rain had pushed most of the fish outside, but they are now on the move back in. The freshwater levels are so high that a guy picked up a large mouth bass in his crab pot located by Sugarloaf just before the Dredge Hole. Snow’s Cut has seen bigger flounder come in this week, and the area continues to produce a solid red drum bite. There are lots of finger mullet in the area. On the ocean side they seem so thick “that you could walk on them.” However, one day you’ll find large ones, and the next day they’ll be small.
In the surf, there have been lots of croakers and Virginia mullet. The flounder and pompano seem to be small right now. The north end has seen flounder on the incoming tide off the beach in the inlet. You can also get plenty of blues and Virginia mullet at the north end. Both piers have been pulling in a couple of citation-sized flounder, blues, croakers, a few spanish, and Virginia mullet.
Barry, of Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports that the name of the game this week is flounder and drum in the waterway. They’ve both been caught well near docks and creek entrances during a falling tide when bait-mullet and minnows are moving out. Some flounder were weighed in at 8 lbs. and larger. The big ones are being caught on mullet. Offshore, bluewater has sported an abundance of wahoo. Charters have been returning with 6 to 7 fish in the box. Recreational anglers are having difficulties reaching bluewater, so be mindful of conditions.
Capt. Dave, of Wild Rover II Charters, reports that offshore the dolphin and king mackerel remain scattered at best. Although, there has been a persistent weedline at about 20 miles that has produced some nice dolphin in the past week. The area wrecks have been producing barracuda and cobia.
Inshore, the spanish bite has turned back on. Try 40 feet of water just outside the inlets. There have also been some nice-sized blues caught around the larger rocks along the coastline.
The gag grouper are in close now. Dave caught one within 6 miles this past week. They really heat up at about the 20 to 25 mile mark. Reds are anywhere from 25 miles on out, and scamps are from 30 miles on out.
The sea bass have been feeding quite well close to shore. Try any ledge in the 5 to 10 mile range with a little squid and you should be rewarded with a great sea bass supper.
Capt. Dave, of Musicman Charters, reports that both the spanish and the kings seem to be growing up a little. The spanish are just off the beach, and you can find more in the 2 to 3 lb. range than you’ve been able to in a while. Many of the snake kings now seem to be legal size. There are still throwbacks, but the ratio has improved. On all the area reefs you should be able to find barracuda, amberjack, and jack crevalles. Tarpon are rolling through, so look for some action around the shoals. The gulf is also improved, with reports of wahoo, sails, whites, and an occasional tuna or dolphin.
