Carolina Beach August 13, 2009
James Williams, from Philadelphia, PA, with a 39.6 lb. king mackerel he hooked near the beach at Wrightsville on a live pogy whiel fishign with Capt. Josh Dewberry of Atta Buoy Charters. Weighed in at Island Tackle.
Dennis, of Island Tackle, reports that anglers caught good numbers of flounder inshore and off the beaches last week (with decent numbers of 5+ lb. citation fish weighed in).
The inshore bite’s been good in Carolina Beach Inlet, Snow’s Cut, and the Cape Fear River. The fish also seem to have taken up residence on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Live finger mullet and peanut pogies are producing most of the action with the flatfish.
The speckled trout and red drum bite has improved somewhat in the river. Anglers are hooking the fish around oyster rocks, grass islands, and other structure. Both live shrimp and pogies, as well as artificial lures like topwater plugs and soft plastics, have been fooling the fish.
Ladyfish are chasing bait around structure in the river. Anglers are hooking them (along with a few trout) at night while casting topwater plugs and other lures.
In the ocean, anglers have found some solid action with big king mackerel (up to 30 lbs.) near the beaches while slow-trolling live pogies. The kings are scattered at offshore structure as well, along with a few sailfish and dolphin.
The dolphin bite’s been best lately 15-20 miles out, where anglers are hooking the fish while trolling live and dead baits.
Reid Kornegay, of Wilmington, with a 9 lb. sheepshead he hooked on a circle-hooked clam bait at a dock near Carolina Beach.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper bite isn’t on fire offshore, but anglers are still catching decent numbers at structure 30-40 miles off the inlet. Other bottom feeders like pinkies, grunts, and triggerfish are in the mix as well. Anglers can hook the smaller bottom fish on squid and the groupers on cigar minnows, live baits, and cut baits.
Light-lining while bottom fishing has been producing a few hookups with king mackerel and dolphin.
Inshore, the flounder bite’s been good at structure within 10 miles of the beaches. Live baits on Carolina rigs are top choices for the flatfish.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Charters, reports that there’s been a good red drum (some to 30”+) and flounder bite in the skinny water of the creeks off the lower Cape Fear lately. The fish have been actively feeding in the early mornings, and anglers are hooking them on topwater plugs and soft plastics, as well as live mud minnows and other baits.
Some speckled trout are mixed in with the reds and flounder, and they’re falling for the same baits.
Lower tides in the early mornings have been producing the best drum and flounder action, but the fish have been feeding in slightly deeper water later in the day.
Tarpon are feeding in the lower river as well, and anglers are seeing the silver giants rolling and jumping in many of the sloughs off the main river.
Benjamin Bruton, of Wilmington, NC, with a sailfish he caught and released on a skirted cigar minnow 8 miles off Carolina Beach Inlet. He was fishing with Lowell Mason on the 16' jon boat "Sarah's Worry."
Nick, of Alford’s Seafood, reports that anglers are finding action in the surf with some black drum and whiting, with a few croaker, spot, pompano, and other species mixed in. Shrimp are fooling most of the fish.
The flounder bite has turned on again inshore, and anglers are hooking the fish in the inlet, Snow’s Cut, and the Cape Fear River on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and other live baits.
The spanish mackerel bite has been decent off the beaches for anglers trolling Clarkspoons (with some solid fish to 3 lbs. in the mix).
Bottom fishermen are reporting decent grouper action offshore, with most of the fish coming from the 20-30 mile range.
Shauna, of Kure Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some croaker, small flounder, and spot on cut shrimp.
Live baiters hooked several king mackerel last week (with the largest just under 20 lbs.).
