Added on Thursday, July 10, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach July 10, 2008

Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite remains hot in the inlet, the ICW, and the Cape Fear. A lot of flounder are also beginning to show up on nearshore structure like Johns Creek, but many of the offshore flatfish are still on the small side.

Regardless of whether they’re inside or off the beaches, a Carolina-rigged finger mullet will entice the flounder to bite.

Red drum are feeding heavily at ICW docks from Carolina Beach all the way up to Topsail. Anglers are also starting to locate some reds in the river bays, though they aren’t forming large schools yet. Carolina-rigged live baits and Gulps will get attention from the drum.

Trout fishing remains excellent around structure in the Cape Fear, and there are also some specks feeding in the river bays. Billy Bay Halo shrimp are some of the best artificials for the specks, but anglers drifting live shrimp under floats will have even better luck. Anglers can cast net shrimp for baits around the marsh islands and in the creeks.

The spanish mackerel bite has slowed a bit, but anglers are still finding decent catches of spanish just off Southport. Trolled Clarkspoons will get their attention. Some larger spaniards are feeding in the river channel, and boats are landing some in the 5-6 lb. class while slow-trolling for kings around the Fairway Buoy.

The king bite has been good recently, and some larger fish (upper 20’s-mid 30’s) are beginning to show up. The king bite has been spread out at spots 10-35 miles off the beaches.

Bottom fishermen have been finding fast action with red and scamp grouper (some scamps 20-25 lbs. were weighed last week). The bottom bite is best at least 35 miles offshore, and cigar minnows or other natural baits will prove attractive to the groupers.

African pompano have taken up residence at Frying Pan Tower, and anglers should be able to hook up with them by trolling live baits near the structure.

Dolphin are still feeding from 10 miles offshore to the blue water, although they’ve become a little more spread out lately. Live baits or skirted ballyhoo will get attention from the ‘phins.

Sailfish have also been joining the kings and dolphin feeding from 10 miles on out, and a number were released by boats trolling ballyhoo and live baits last week.

The largest sails are feeding closer to the Gulf Stream, and boats making the run out to the blue water are also landing some 20-40 lb. wahoo.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite is still hot around structure in the Cape Fear River. Live shrimp fished under slip floats are the ticket to hooking up with the trout, which have been running large (with a number in the 4-5 lb. class last week.)

Some nice (4-6 lb.) black drum are feeding in the Cape Fear as well, and anglers are hooking them on bottom rigs baited with dead shrimp.

The best flounder bite over the past week has been in Snow’s Cut and the inlet. Some flounder are also feeding on the nearshore reefs, but most are on the smaller side. Carolina-rigged finger mullet or pogies will draw strikes from the flatfish.

Red drum are feeding along the shoals of Carolina Beach Inlet, and a Carolina-rigged finger mullet will get them in a feeding mood.

Some big (4+ lb.) spanish mackerel are feeding off Bald Head and around the Hot Hole. They’ll take an interest in trolled Clarkspoons.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that grouper fishing has been excellent at bottom structure in the 30-40 mile range over the week. Anglers are hooking up with fat red and scamp groupers along with other bottom fish while baiting up with cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits.

Some dolphin are feeding in the same areas as the grouper, and anglers are catching a few per trip on the light line, though most aren’t huge.

The spanish bite has slowed down a little bit, but there are still some fish feeding nearshore between Wrightsville and Carolina Beach.

 

Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with croakers, some small spots, and other bottom feeders while baiting up with shrimp.

Anglers fishing live mud minnows or finger mullet on the bottom are scoring bites from flounder.

Sheepshead are feeding along the pilings, and anglers fishing with barnacles caught several up to 4 lbs. last week.

Plug casters are picking up a few bluefish and spanish mackerel.

Live baiters landed several king mackerel last week as well.