Carolina Beach – July 2023
Andrew, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that surf anglers have been finding a mixed bag of pompano, whiting, bluefish, small sharks, and flounder.
The best inshore action has mostly been coming from the river. Anglers have found good numbers of sheepshead around the hard structures, and red drum and the occasional speckled trout are being caught by anglers fishing shell banks and deeper grass lines.
William McCann, of Franklinton, NC, hooked this king mackerel using live bait while fishing 30 miles off of Carolina Beach.
Nearshore anglers are landing plenty of spanish mackerel.
Some king mackerel are being found as they work their way closer to the beaches, and the occasional cobia is being hooked around the nearshore reefs.
Offshore anglers have mostly been targeting the 20-30 mile range, and they’re catching smaller mahi and various bottom species.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been doing best by targeting red drum. Live bait fishing with both menhaden or finger mullet has been successful. Fish the tides as they move on either side, and target areas where shell points meet grass banks. It has been a good class of drum, with most of the reds in the upper-slot range.
Flounder are striking at bottom-rigged live baits. These good-sized flatfish (to 25”) are staged more along grass banks and creek mouths on higher tides.
The occasional speckled trout is mixed in the action while targeting other species.
Luke, of Spot On Charters, reports that anglers fishing the river are seeing a huge influx of bait anywhere from Bald Head right up into the downtown area. This bait arriving really kicked off the red drum action and got them actively feeding. The reds are spread out throughout the river, but good water clarity from Snows Cut and south has allowed for a better bite. For target areas, focus on places such as oyster beds, tidal creek mouths, and cuts in the spoil islands.
Flounder are staged up in all the same areas where you will find reds, and the flatfish are striking at the same bait offerings fished on the bottom.
Mason, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters, reports that black drum and sheepshead fishing remains really strong in the area. Fish are staged up around docks in the ICW, but anglers running the Cape Fear River are finding some of the better quality fish. Both species are being caught with vertically fished crabs rigged on 2/0 hooks.
Red drum fishing has been getting good for anglers fishing the flats on the higher tides. Look around grass lines or points with 2-3’ of water for the best shots at these scattered reds.
Speckled trout are around for anglers looking to do some topwater fishing. The southern parts of the river have been a bit more productive, and the best strategy is to be out on the water super early in the morning.
Juliana Benson (left) and Peyton Parks (right) caught these 25.5″ and 26.75″ redfish while fishing in the lower Cape Fear River. They were competing in a Got-Em-On’s points tournament.
Rod, of OnMyWay Fishing Charters, reports that the nearshore spanish mackerel fishing has been great, with anglers finding some citation-sized fish mixed in. Look for these schools feeding on bait pods right up on the beach, and try casting Blue Water Candy Thingama jigs or Gotcha plugs.
Anglers are also doing well while trolling #0 and 00 sized Clarkspoons. Smaller juvenile king mackerel are starting to mix in with the larger spanish, so anglers need to be well studied in identifying each species.
Bigger king mackerel are being caught while slow-trolling live baits or Blue Water Candy dead bait rigs anywhere from 5-25 miles out.
This time of year is when anglers see a nearshore mahi bite in the 15-25 mile range. The key is to not overrun the fish but look for water color changes and bait (not just flying fish). These mahi can often be smaller, but the nice 10-20 lb. gaffers will be mixed in.
Bottom fishing is excellent in the 40-mile range. Triggerfish, vermilion snapper, grouper, and the soon-to-be-open-for-one-weekend American red snapper are all a part of this catch variety. While bottom fishing in this range, be sure to keep a free-lined bait out for any variety of bigger fish moved in.
Runs to the Gulf Stream are producing some wahoo, billfish, mahi, and scattered blackfin tuna.
Abby, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers have mostly been catching nice-sized whiting and bluefish while bottom fishing.
