Carolina Beach July 17, 2008

Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite is still good in the ICW and the Cape Fear River. It is high time the fish start showing up on the Yaupon Reef and other nearshore structure, but not many boats went looking for them last week due to the winds. Live finger mullet, pogies, or other baits on Carolina rigs are tough to beat for the flounder.

Red drum are also feeding in the river and the ICW. Live baits will get their attention as well, but anglers can also cast topwaters, Gulps, and other soft plastics with success.

There are still good numbers of speckled trout coming from structure areas in the river. Live shrimp are the top baits, and anglers may be able to cast net some shrimp in the river. Billy Bay Halo shrimp will also tempt the trout to bite.

Sheepshead are feeding around pilings and other structure in the ICW. Live fiddler crabs fished tight to the structure will get their attention.

Surf fishermen are catching bluefish and a typical summer time mixed bag.

Anglers are finding king mackerel from nearshore spots out to 20+ miles. Trolling live baits or cigar minnows should get their attention.

Sailfish continue to move closer to the beaches, with some feeding alongside the kings less than 10 miles offshore. The majority of the fish are between 10-30 miles off. The sails will take an interest in live baits that anglers are dragging for kings, and boats can also troll rigged ballyhoo with good results.

Some dolphin are also feeding just 10 miles offshore, with the fish getting larger the further anglers travel.

Bottom fishermen have been finding gag grouper at spots 18-20 miles out. Better action is taking place in the 25-30+ mile range, where anglers are also hooking reds and scamps in addition to the gags. Cigar minnows and other natural baits will attract the grouper’s attention.

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the flounder bite has been good in Carolina Beach Inlet and the ICW over the past few weeks. Anglers are catching some flatfish approaching 5 lbs., and Carolina-rigged finger mullet have been producing most of the bites. The area’s finger mullet schools are almost the perfect flounder bait size, and they will only be getting bigger and better over the coming weeks.

Docks in the ICW between Carolina Beach and Williams Landing are producing action with sheepshead (some up to 6 lbs.) and good numbers of red drum (most 18-30″). Fiddler crabs fished near the pilings on Carolina rigs are drawing bites from both fish.

Anglers are catching some black drum (many 5-6 lbs.) around structure in the southern Cape Fear River. Dead shrimp on bottom rigs are fooling the drum.

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that bottom fishing around structure 30-40 miles offshore is still productive. Anglers are landing grouper (mostly reds) while dropping cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits. Beeliners, grunts, pinkies, and other bottomfish are filling out the catch.

King mackerel and some dolphin are feeding around the same areas, and anglers fishing a weightless light-line baited with a cigar minnow while bottom fishing are hooking up with both.

Jay, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing a few croakers.

Bluefish and flounder were biting earlier in the week before the water got nasty, and they should be back when it calms down.

by Gary Hurley