Added on Thursday, July 3, 2008  Gary Hurley

Wrightsville Beach July 3, 2008

Chris, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that boaters have hooked several tarpon at the Liberty Ship, but so far all have jumped off. Live greenies tempted the tarpon bites.

Pier anglers have also hooked and seen some tarpon this week, so the fish are showing up, and anglers just need to put the time in to land them.

There are still plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel cruising the beaches for meals, and Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers should produce results on both when trolled.

The king mackerel bite is going strong 5-10 miles offshore. Dead cigar minnows or live baits should get attention from the kings.

The dolphin bite has been good starting at spots approximately 15 miles offshore.  Trolled dead cigar minnows, live baits, and rigged ballyhoo will all tempt bites from the dolphin.

A few sailfish have been reported in the 10-20 mile range, but they definitely haven’t arrived nearshore in full force yet. The next few weeks are when the bite got really good last year, so hopefully it won’t be long.

Grouper action has been best 30 miles and further offshore lately. Reds, gags, and scamps are feeding at offshore structure, and anglers can hookup with all three by dropping cigar minnows or other baits on standard bottom rigs or by working butterfly jigs near the structure.

Not many reports have come in from the Gulf Stream recently.

Inshore, flounder fishing is still good in the creeks, inlets, and nearby. Carolina-rigged finger mullet and Gulp baits should produce results with the flatfish.

Red drum are also feeding in the creeks and around docks off the ICW. Anglers should be able to hook the reds while casting Carolina-rigged live baits, Gulps, topwaters, and other lures.

 

Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the king bite is still excellent in the 10-12 mile range. Some bailer dolphin are mixed in, and anglers can score action with both by trolling diving plugs, dead baits, or live baits. A few big spanish mackerel are feeding in the same areas as well.

The spanish bite has slowed down on the beaches due to the dirty water, but anglers are still catching some spanish in front of the inlet on outgoing tides.

Red drum are feeding up creeks and at docks along the ICW. Carolina-rigged live and cut baits will get bites from the drum, and anglers can also hook up while casting grubs, topwater plugs, and other artificials.

 

Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that the king mackerel bite has been solid at structure around 10 miles off the beach all week. Some small false albacore have been working bait on the surface near the structure, and slow trolling or drifting live baits near the surface activity has been producing hookups with some stout kings (up to 26 lbs. last week). Some large cigar minnows are holding on the structure, and jigging them up with sabiki rigs will produce the best baits. Some smaller dolphin are mixed in with the kings.

Out a little further at the Schoolhouse, anglers are hooking up with more kings, amberjacks, and a few cobia on live baits.

Trolling ballyhoo in the 30 mile range has been producing consistent action with the dolphin, but not many huge ones (most 6-12 lbs.).

 

Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that red drum and some flounder are feeding at docks near the ICW. Carolina-rigged live baits will get attention from both fish, and spinnerbaits are also getting plenty of bites.

Ladyfish are starting to make an appearance around Wrightsville. The best time to target them is at night near the bridge and other lighted structure. They tend to spread out on the rising tide, and then return to the bridge to feed when the tide’s falling. Live finger mullet and shrimp are top baits for the ladies, and anglers can also cast topwater plugs and other lures with success.

 

Mike, of No Excuses Charters, reports that there are some schools of lower-slot limit red drum feeding in the marshes and creeks behind Figure 8 Island. The reds should take an interest in live baits or a variety of lures.

There are plenty of flounder inshore around Wrightsville and Figure 8, but the majority seem to be undersized. Live mullet on Carolina-rigs will produce action with the flounder.

The spanish mackerel bite along the beaches has slowed down a bit, but there are still plenty of blacktip sharks (up to 60 lbs.) around and feeding just off the beaches.

 

Dan, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are catching plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs.

Flounder are falling for live mud minnows and mullet on Carolina rigs.

Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some whiting on shrimp.

Live baiters landed several kings last week.

The water is 80 degrees.