Added on Thursday, May 22, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach May 22, 2008

Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite is getting better all the time. Anglers are starting to see good numbers of the flatfish and some large ones (several in the 5-8 lb. range have been weighed recently). The action has been best in the Cape Fear River, but anglers are hooking up with some flounder in Snow’s Cut and the inlet as well. Carolina-rigged live baits are the top flounder baits.

There have been plenty of peanut pogies in the Dredge Pond, so boats should have little difficulty netting a well full of flounder baits.

The trout bite remains steady in the Cape Fear, and anglers are landing specks around structure, drop-offs, and grass islands throughout the lower river. Live shrimp are the best baits when anglers can get them, but the trout will also fall for Billy Bay shrimp, Gulps, and other artificials.

Red drum are feeding alongside the trout and in the river bays. They should fall for the same baits and lures.

Big spanish mackerel are chasing bait at nearshore structure like Sheepshead Rock. Boats have been hooking up with the spanish (many 5-8 lbs.) while trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and Clarkspoons or casting metal lures to the fish.

Anglers are landing king mackerel from the piers all the way out to the Dredge Wreck and Frying Pan Tower, and boats should be able to find them near bait and bottom structure in between. Live baits are still scarce, but boats should be able to hook up with the kings while trolling Deep Divers or dead baits like cigar minnows.

Dolphin are moving inshore of the Gulf Stream, and boats are reporting good numbers of dolphin, flying fish, and weed patches 30-40 miles off the beach. Rigged ballyhoo should get them in a feeding mood.

Bottom fishing is best right now around 40 miles offshore. Boats making the run are landing good catches of red grouper and other bottomfish. Cigar minnows and Boston mackerel should produce bites, and anglers can also work butterfly jigs near the structure to do battle with the fish on lighter tackle.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the flounder are here, and they’re starting to get larger (with fish up to 8 lbs. caught over the past week). Carolina-rigged live baits should tempt the flounder into striking. The best action is still in the Cape Fear, but anglers are hooking up with flounder in the inlet and Snow’s Cut, too.

The speckled trout bite is still going strong in the Cape Fear, and anglers who are able to procure live shrimp are finding fast action with the specks. Fishing the shrimp beneath a float rig around structure and drop-offs will produce strikes from the trout. Anglers are also hooking up with some red drum while trout fishing.

Black drum are feeding around structure like the Snow’s Cut bridge pilings and the Pfizer Dock. Fresh shrimp fished on bottom rigs will attract their attention.

The inlet is holding plenty of chopper bluefish (most 8-15 lbs.). They’ll attack almost anything, but live or cut baits should produce plenty of action.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper are holding around ledges, live bottoms, and other structure 25 miles and further offshore. Other tasty bottom fish (including beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, and sea bass) are feeding in the same areas. Cigar minnows and squid are top producers, but cut and live baits will draw bites from the large grouper.

Inshore, some king mackerel are feeding within 5 miles of the beach. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are mixed in. All three of these speedy predators will attack trolled cigar minnows and spoons.

 

Lynn, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that school-sized bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs.

King season is open. Several kings have been caught close to the beach already, so it won’t be long until they’re biting off the end of the pier.

Bottom fishermen are catching some whiting and small flounder near the end of the pier.

 

Freddie, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking good numbers of whiting and pompano in the afternoons and evenings. Cut shrimp are producing the best results.

Plug casters are finding fast action with bluefish and some spanish mackerel while throwing Gotchas.

Anglers are landing good numbers of flounder on live baits, but must weed through a lot of undersized fish in order to find the keepers.

Live baiters had several big runs on the king rigs last week, but they didn’t land any fish.