Added on Thursday, May 7, 2009  Fish Post

Carolina Beach May 7, 2009

Ryan, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that water temperatures are rising and the fishing’s heating up as well. Anglers are catching a few flounder in the surf, with mud minnows and finger mullet getting their attention.

Surf anglers are also hooking up with some stout pompano (up to 3+ lbs.) and whiting. Shrimp and sand fleas are attracting attention from both fish in the breakers.

Shrimp are also drawing bites from good numbers of black drum in the surf.

Bluefish have shown up in full force, and anglers are catching them (from snappers to 8+ lb. choppers) on practically everything, although Gotcha plugs are particularly effective.

Spanish mackerel have made their springtime appearance as well. Trollers are hooking up with them on Clarkspoons and Christmas tree rigs. Anglers can also cast metal lures to breaking schools of the fish.

Red drum are beginning to school up and feed in the local bays, where anglers can target them with live baits, spinnerbaits, Gulps, and even topwater plugs.

Speckled trout are showing up in the bays and the river as well. Most successful anglers are hooking up with them while casting Gulp baits.

Offshore, the king mackerel bite is still hot around Frying Pan Tower, where anglers are hooking the fish on cigar minnows, spoons, and other baits while trolling, and on light-lined dead baits while bottom fishing.

Bottom fishermen have found a solid grouper bite lately at structure in 150-200′, with most of the fish falling victim to cut baits or jigs. A 42+ lb. yellowfin grouper that one angler hooked on a jig near the Same Ol’ is expected to be certified as the new state record soon.

The wahoo bite has been excellent (with plenty of citation fish from 40-65 lbs. weighed in last week) when boats can make it to the Gulf Stream, with most fish coming from the Same Ol’ and Steeples areas. Ballyhoo trolled beneath skirted lures are the most effective baits for the ‘hoos.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that bottom fishing was decent last week despite a new moon and lack of current. Structure from 35-45 miles off Carolina Beach produced excellent action with grunts, beeliners, and other bottomfish, along with a few grouper.

Several American red snapper, including a few keepers, also hit the decks last week. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits have been most effective on the bottom feeders.

Some king mackerel are feeding in the same areas where anglers are finding good bottom fishing, so it’s a good idea to keep a light-line out to attract the attention of kings or other passing pelagics.

 

Nick, of Alford’s Seafood, reports that bottom fishing was a little tough early last week, but structure and live bottom in the 40 mile range off Carolina Beach gave up a few grouper and plenty of other bottomfish including grunts, beeliners, pinkies, sea bass, and American red snapper. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits all produce results on the bottom feeders, and vertical jigging can also be effective.

Amberjacks are schooled up on the wrecks and other large structure, and they should take an interest in vertical jigs.

King mackerel are scattered through the offshore waters as well, along with plenty of false albacore. Both will take an interest in trolled cigar minnows, Yo-Zuri Deep Divers, and other lures.

There have been big numbers of sea turtles sighted recently, and they appear to be gathering in order to come to the beaches and lay their eggs. Boats traveling offshore should be vigilant to avoid hitting a floating turtle, especially in low light conditions.

 

Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Charters, reports that black drum are feeding at docks and other structure around Carolina Beach. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will attract attention from the shellfish-loving drum.

Red drum are beginning to school up in the bays of Masonboro Sound and the Cape Fear River. The schools are still small, and the fish (especially in the clear water of the sound) have been very spooky, so anglers should be stealthy in order to maximize their chances of hooking up. Mud minnows fished on light Carolina rigs or jigheads have been particularly effective baits lately, but the fish will also take an interest in Gulps and spinnerbaits.

Some reds are also feeding further upriver around oyster rocks and grass islands. A dead whole shrimp or mud minnow fished underneath a float will attract attention from the river reds.

Bluefish are schooled up around the inlets on incoming tides, and some (including some 10+ lb. choppers) have made it back to the same flats the reds are feeding on.

Anglers are catching a few smaller trout in the Cape Fear, but the speck bite hasn’t been much to speak of lately.

Flounder are beginning to show up in the river (including some better fish up to 3 lbs.), along with a few around the inlets. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs are tough to beat for the flounder right now.

Off the beaches, spanish mackerel are showing up at High Rock, the Liberty Ship, and other nearshore structure. Boats can troll Clarkspoons or cast Gotcha plugs and other metal lures at the fish.

 

Susie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are finding action with some fat whiting along with bluefish, a few small flounder, black drum, and trout. Shrimp are the best baits.

Plug casters are hooking up with bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.