Carolina Beach April 12, 2007
Seth, at Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout are hitting at the Masonboro jetties, Carolina Beach Yacht Basin, and in the river bays. Live shrimp are tops as far as baits go, but the trout will also hit MirrOlures and Gulp baits.
Most of the red drum are still up north in the Topsail/Figure Eight area.
Scattered small flounder are biting inshore, but the flounder bite at the nearshore reefs should be improving within the next month.
In the Gulf Stream, boats are finding good numbers of yellowfin tuna and wahoo. A few blue marlin have been released as well. The hottest action has been north of the Same Ole. Skirted and naked ballyhoo, along with Braid Marauders in purple/black, make up the most effective trolling spread.
Kings are holding around 35 miles offshore.
The gag and red grouper are also in the 30 mile range.
Bruce, at Flat Dawg Charters, reports that chunky whiting (up to 2 lbs.) are schooled up in the river mouth. Shrimp fished on two hook bottom rigs will tempt the whiting, and the fresher the shrimp, the better.
Red drum and speckled trout are holding in the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin. DOA and Gulp Shrimp are the hottest baits. Trout are also hanging around the Masonboro jetties and are scattered in area creeks.
Bluefish (2-3 lbs.) are feeding in Masonboro and Carolina Beach Inlets.
The water will soon cross the magic 65 degree mark, and that means flounder will begin feeding heavily soon. The flatfish have been in a dormant state all winter, and they are hungry. Start looking for fish in the Cape Fear River and the inlets.
Dave, at FryingPanTower.com, reports that the offshore bottom fishing is red hot. Scamp and citation size red grouper are chewing on deep structure 35+ miles offshore. These fish are tough battlers, so use heavy tackle to get them to the boat without breaking off. Squid, cigar minnows, and a variety of cut baits will all score with the grouper. Tasty beeliners are holding on the same structure and provide action between grouper bites.
The Gulf Stream has been producing plenty of wahoo lately, and the yellowfins are around but picky. Start trolling with mono leaders to tempt the finicky tuna, but if wahoo cutoffs become a problem, switch to wire. The best bite has been in approximately 72.5 degree water early in the day between sunrise and 9:00 am.
King mackerel are schooled up thick on the inshore side of the temperature break. They are feeding on the surface in the morning, and then moving deeper as the day progresses.
At nearshore bottom structure, anglers can find big black sea bass mixed in with pesky sharks. Squid and cut baits are the top baits and should be fished on small hooks. The key to a good catch is finding areas that have not been hit by the sea bass trappers.
Kayla, at Kure Beach Pier, reports that small whiting and croaker are providing most of the action. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp are the best way to catch them.
As the water temps warm up over April, the bluefish will arrive for the year.
The water temperature is around 60 degrees.
Richard, at Carolina Beach Pier, reports that the fishing is heating up along with the weather. Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs is getting attention from whiting and black drum. The whiting are running on the small side, but the black drum are a solid 3-5 lbs.
The flounder bite has begun, and flatties up to 16-17″ are hitting mud minnows fished on the bottom.
As the water keeps warming up, plug casters can expect bluefish to show up, followed quickly by spanish mackerel.
