Added on Thursday, April 10, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach April 10, 2008

Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that inshore anglers are catching some nice speckled trout in the Cape Fear River near Bald Head. Live shrimp fished under floats have been producing most of the trout action, but a D.O.A. or Billy Bay artificial shrimp will likely work, too.

Red drum are feeding in the lower river bays and at creeks and docks in the ICW. Live mud minnows and Gulp baits will attract attention from the reds.

A few flounder have already been landed in the river and in Snow’s Cut, which bodes well for the upcoming flounder season. Live mud minnows or finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs will fool the flatfish.

Smaller bluefish have arrived in the river and ICW, and a 12 lb. blue was caught in the Carolina Beach boat basin recently.

It’s time for Atlantic bonito to begin showing up around the Liberty Ship and other nearshore structure, but not many have been reported yet. That’s likely due to all the rough weather keeping boats off the ocean. When and if the bonito show, they’ll take an interest in trolled Clarkspoons or small casting lures.

Offshore reports have been scarce lately, but bottom fishermen would do well to begin hunting for grouper 40+ miles out. A few are probably holding closer to the beach, but the best action is still in deeper water. Cigar minnows and Boston mackerel are both excellent grouper baits.

King mackerel had moved in to around 30 miles offshore before the recent front passed, but they’ve likely pushed back further offshore.

In the Gulf Stream, it’s prime time for blackfin and yellowfin tuna, dolphin, and wahoo. All that anglers need are days calm enough to go target them. Trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures will produce the best action in the blue water.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been excellent in the southern part of the Cape Fear River. The fish have not only been numerous, they’ve been large, with many running 3-4.5 lbs. Although the bite’s been good, the trout have been reluctant to strike lures, with nearly all the action coming on float-rigged live shrimp.

Whiting are schooling up near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and they’ve become larger and more plentiful over the past month. Shrimp fished on two-hook bottom rigs will tempt the whiting to bite.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that bottom fishing should be excellent when boats can get out to the fish. The area around Frying Pan Tower has been productive recently, with anglers landing gag grouper, triggerfish, beeliners, sea bass, pinkies, and other fish. There are plenty of small sharks around, too, so anglers may have to spend some time looking for a spot that isn’t covered up by the nuisance sharks. A variety of baits will produce good results on the bottom fish, including cigar minnows, squid, and cut and live baits.

 

Andy, of Southern Sportfishing, reports that inshore anglers are landing some speckled trout and red drum around Bald Head Island. Reds are also feeding up north around Figure Eight.

Offshore, sea bass fishing has been good at bottom structure around 25 miles off the beach.

In the Gulf Stream, good catches of blackfin tuna are coming from the Steeples area, and a sailfish was released recently as well.

 

Susie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers fishing with shrimp on bottom rigs are hooking up with some bluefish and whiting. Some of the whiting have been over the 1.5 lb. state citation mark.

The water is 60 degrees.