Wrightsville Beach September 17, 2009
Mogi-son, from Japan, and Sami Ghandour, of Anglers Pro Shop, with a pair of 55" (est. 90 lb.) amberjacks they hooked and released while deep jigging in 280' of water off Wrightsville Beach. They were fishing with Capt. Mike Jackson of Live Line Charters.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the flounder bite’s been excellent lately, and anglers are catching both big numbers and big fish (to over 10 lbs.). Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are producing most of the fish, but they’ll also take an interest in Gulp baits. The flatfish are feeding in the inlets, around docks and other inshore structure, and at the nearshore wrecks and reefs within a few miles of the beaches.
Red drum are on the feed in the creeks, the marshes, in the inlets, and in the surf. Anglers can target the reds with live mullet or a variety of lures like Gulp baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs. Cut baits, however, often produce best in the surf.
Anglers are finding action with spanish mackerel from the surf zone to a few miles offshore. The spanish will bite small live baits, casting lures like Shore Lure Glass Minnows, or trolled Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spaniards and falling for the same baits.
The king mackerel bite has been slow lately.
Bottom fishermen also have had little to report.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream have found that the fall wahoo bite is turning on steadily. Anglers are hooking the ‘hoos on ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures.
Taylor Barefoot, of Wilmington, with a healthy gag grouper he hooked on a Decoy Jig with a live cigar minnow.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that there’s been solid action for blue water trollers straight off Masonboro Inlet. Boats plying the Gulf Stream with skirted ballyhoo are hooking up with good numbers of wahoo along with some blackfin tuna, dolphin, and sailfish.
A few sails are still inshore of the Stream, and live baits or ballyhoo will attract their attention.
The king mackerel bite has been decent just off the beaches lately, and anglers are hooking most of the kings on live pogies.
Inshore, the red drum bite remains hot in the marshes, creeks, and inlets. Anglers are hooking the reds on live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and other lures.
The cooler weather has the trout bite getting hotter. The specks are taking an interest in live shrimp, Gulp baits, MirrOlures, and other artificials.
Flounder fishing remains solid, and anglers are catching most of their flatfish on Gulps and Carolina-rigged live baits.
Dave and Adam Baker, from Raleigh, with a quartet of flounder (the larger fish 21") they hooked on live finger mullet while fishing the Cape Fear River with Capt. Russell Weaver of Living Waters Guide Service.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers are finding good action with red drum and speckled trout in the ICW near Wrightsville and in the Cape Fear River. Live finger mullet will fool both fish.
Offshore, there’s been a decent gag grouper bite at structure in 80-90’ of water, particularly to the south of the area. Anglers are hooking most of the grouper on live baits.
King mackerel fishing’s been spotty lately, but anglers have found a few in the same depth range holding the grouper. Trolling live baits on the surface and off the downrigger has been fooling the few kings around (with the downrigger getting more bites lately). Some large spanish mackerel are feeding in the same areas.
Some barracuda are holding at offshore structure, and anglers have had fun casting tube lures to hook up with the cudas lately.
Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that the speckled trout bite in the Cape Fear River has been excellent lately, with anglers catching good numbers on both live finger mullet and a variety of artificial lures.
Flounder are also on the feed in the river, and live mullet are top baits for the flatties as well. Although, they’ll also take an interest in artificials fished slowly near the bottom.
Rob, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers have been catching lots of big spanish mackerel and bluefish (2-4+ lbs.) on live baits and while casting Gotcha plugs.
The flounder bite is still solid as well, and anglers are catching good numbers of the flatfish on live baits fished on the bottom.
Sheepshead and black drum are feeding on the bottom near the pier, and fresh shrimp and artificial sand fleas have been striking their fancy.
Live baiters haven’t hooked any kings lately, but a tarpon was lost recently after a long fight.
The water is 80.3 degrees.
