Wrightsville Beach September 3, 2009
Erin and Jackie each caught their first wahoo while trolling skirted ballyhoo inshore of the Same Ol' Hole with Capt. Gene Ingle on the "Pole Position."
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of flounder and red drum inshore. The reds are feeding in the creeks and on the flats behind the barrier islands. Anglers can tempt them to bite topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, Gulps, and other artificials, and live baits like finger mullet will fool the fish as well.
The flounder are holding around creekmouths, near the inlets, and around inshore structure, and live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are top baits for them. Gulp baits and other artificials will also draw their fair share of flounder strikes.
The large swells kept many anglers from getting offshore last week, but the cooler weather forecast for the week ahead should begin kicking hot fall fishing into gear.
Anglers can expect the inshore action to get even better as the water temperature begins to fall, and the nearshore fishing in the ocean should really turn on, with king and spanish mackerel feeding along the beaches, gag grouper and other bottomfish feeding even closer to shore, and the Gulf Stream predators like wahoo getting hungry as well.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers found some decent pelagic action around Frying Pan Tower last week. Live baiting around the Tower is attracting attention from some sailfish, dolphin, and king mackerel.
The wahoo bite is still on in the Gulf Stream when boats can make the long run. Trolling skirted ballyhoo or Black Bart lures around rips and temperature breaks is the way to find the wahoo.
Closer to the beaches, anglers are seeing some tarpon around the shoals at Bald Head, although they’ve been a challenge to hook lately.
Inshore, the red drum bite is still excellent in the marshes behind the barrier islands, and anglers are hooking the fish on live baits, topwater plugs, Gulps, and other lures.
Brandy Beckdahl, of Wilmington, with a spanish mackerel she hooked on a light-lined dead pogy while fishing with Larry Oberti on the "Piece of Ship."
Speckled trout are turning on in the area as well, and the bite should only get better as fall progresses. Anglers are hooking the specks on topwater plugs, D.O.A. shrimp, and other lures, and the fish will also have trouble turning down a live shrimp.
Fishing at night around lighted structure is one of the best strategies for hooking up with the specks.
The flounder bite has been a little slow in the area over the past week, but anglers have been reporting some good catches from the lower Cape Fear River.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the shark bite is still on at nearshore areas like Johns Creek. Anglers are hooking the sharks on pogies and cut baits.
Inshore, the fishing’s been solid in the Cape Fear, where anglers are hooking up with some flounder, speckled trout, and red drum on live finger mullet and other baits.
Ladyfish are also on the feed in the river, and anglers may be able to tempt them to eat topwater plugs.
Lori Herring with a king mackerel that fell for a Yo-Zuri Deep Diver near the Masonboro sea buoy while she was fishing aboard the "Santiago."
Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that spanish mackerel are still on the feed just off the beaches. Anglers can hook the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons or casting metal lures.
Mike, of No Excuses Charters, reports that anglers are hooking up with good numbers of gag grouper (some in the high-teens) at nearshore structure 7-12 miles off the inlets. Cigar minnows are fooling most of the fish, but anglers are hooking some on 4 oz. gold hammered diamond jigs as well.
The same areas are holding schools of amberjacks (25-50 lbs.), and anglers can tempt them to bite topwater plugs, jigs, or live baits.
In the backwaters from Rich’s to Topsail Inlet, the red drum bite has been solid. Topwater plugs and gold or silver spoons are attracting attention from the reds.
Ladyfish are feeding all over the inshore waters, from the surf to the backwater creeks. They’ll take an interest in topwater plugs or Gulp shrimp on jigheads.
Rob, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers have been landing big numbers of flounder from the pier over the week (some in the 4-5 lb. class). Live finger mullet and other small live baits are fooling the flatties.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some spot, whiting, and bluefish on shrimp.
King fishermen have had some action with barracuda over the course of the week.
