Carolina Beach May 21, 2009
Sid Arnold and Mikie Perry, from High Point, NC, with a pair of gaffer dolphin (part of a catch of dolphin, blackfin, kings, and false albacore) they hooked while trolling ballyhoo under Blue Water Candy lures near the Steeples.
Wes, of Island Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching some flounder, black drum, and a few reds, with the best action on the north end of the island. Some big pompano (3+ lbs.) are also in the mix, and shrimp should produce action with them.
Some larger flounder (several in 5-8 lb. range) have been coming from Carolina Beach Inlet, Snows Cut, and to the north in the Cape Fear River. Live pogies fished on Carolina rigs are the best bet for the larger flounder, and there have been plenty of pogies in the State Park basin and the dredge hole.
Some speckled trout and red drum are mixed in with the flounder, especially near where Snows Cut empties into the river. They’ll bite pogies or Gulp shrimp.
Good numbers of chopper bluefish are also around and taking an interest in flounder baits.
There are still plenty of spanish mackerel feeding around the inlets and at nearshore structure. So when it’s calm enough to get out, boaters can hook up with them by trolling Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers.
Kings are inshore of the Stream, but not by a lot, as the best bite has still been around Frying Pan Tower. Live pogies are ideal baits for the kings, but they’ll also take an interest in live and dead cigar minnows, Drone Spoons, or Deep Divers. Anglers looking for king-sized pogies may have some luck around Williams Landing.
Bottom fishermen haven’t been out much lately, but the grouper bite should still be on at structure 25-30 miles and further offshore.
Some dolphin have moved inshore of the Stream, and fish have been reported from as close as 36 miles offshore.
The dolphin bite in the Stream had been nothing short of phenomenal when boats could make it out there (with big numbers and fish to 40 lbs. weighed in last week). A few wahoo, blackfin tuna, and scattered yellowfins are mixed in with the dolphin. Skirted ballyhoo will tempt bites from all the Gulf Stream predators.
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Anakelea Waldorf, from Wilmington and an employee at Island Tackle and Hardware, with a king caught off of Carolina Beach. She was fishing with Capt. Caleb Batson on the charter boat "Cheerio Lady."
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the fishing should be excellent when smaller boats can make it back offshore. Dolphin have moved inshore of the Stream, and boats are reporting them as close as 30 miles from the beaches.
Some king mackerel are feeding in the same areas.
Grouper are feeding around bottom structure 30-45 miles out of Carolina Beach. Anglers can hook up with the grouper and other bottomfish by dropping squid, cigar minnows, cut baits, and live baits.
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Randy "Radar" Holladay with a dolphin he hooked while trolling 50 miles off Masonboro Inlet. He was fishing with Dave Keith aboard the "Chum Maker 2."
Jeff, of Sea Wolf Charters, reports that red drum are feeding on the flats of the lower Cape Fear River near Bald Head Island. Anglers are hooking them on soft plastic grubs and jerkbaits, and the reds also have a tough time resisting a live mud minnow.
Rocky structure in the lower river is starting to hold decent numbers of sheepshead (most 2-4 lbs.), and some are actually tailing while feeding near the surface. Float-fishing with live fiddler crabs has been fooling good numbers of the sheeps into striking lately.
Flounder fishing has been decent in the river lately and should only keep improving. Anglers have also been catching a few fish in Carolina Beach Inlet. Most of the flatfish are falling for live baits, although anglers are picking up a few on soft plastics and other artificials.
A few speckled trout are also coming from the river, but the bite hasn’t been on fire.
Chopper bluefish have moved inshore, and anglers are seeing a few on the flats and better numbers along deeper channels in the area.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding around the inlets, and boats can troll for them or cast heavy metal lures with success.
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Eddie Green, from Fort Bragg, NC, with a 38.8 lb. yellowfin tuna he hooked on a ballyhoo under a blue/white Mylar Cape Fear Sea Witch. He was trolling near the Same Ol' with Capt. Keith Green and mate Charlie Beal aboard the charter boat "Fish Dance" out of Carolina Beach.
Nick, of Alford’s Seafood, reports that flounder fishing is improving in the Cape Fear River, with more large fish showing up every week. Live baits are best for the flatties, but some fish are falling for Gulps and other lures as well.
Red drum are feeding in the lower river and at docks all along the ICW. Again, live baits will produce the best results, but anglers are picking them up on Gulps, bucktails, and other lures.
Plenty of spanish mackerel are still feeding nearshore, and anglers can hook up with them while trolling Clarkspoons and diving lures or while casting metal lures at breaking schools.
Offshore the grouper bite hasn’t been incredible lately, but the boats making it out are reporting decent fishing. The action’s still mostly 30+ mile offshore. Squid, cigar minnows, cut baits, and vertical jigs are all effective on the grouper.
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Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are finding action with whiting, small bluefish, croakers, and a few black drum. Shrimp and cut baits are both producing results.
Plug casters are hooking up with spanish mackerel and bluefish (including some big choppers) on Gotchas.
