Added on Thursday, April 24, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach April 24, 2008

Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the speckled trout bite in the Cape Fear River has been excellent recently. The fish have been feeding all over the river, with nice catches coming from north and south of Snow’s Cut. Live shrimp are the top baits for the specks, but anglers can also get bites while casting DOA or Billy Bay Halo shrimp or suspending Mirrolures.

Red drum are hanging around the lower river bays and are also in creeks off the ICW to the north. Anglers can draw strikes from the reds while casting Gulp baits or Mirrolures.

Flounder are beginning to show up, although most are on the small side this early in the year. Surf fishermen are finding some of the flatfish in the ocean, but the majority are still laid up in the creeks. Live mud minnows or Gulp baits should produce good results with the flounder.

Along with the flounder, surf fishermen are hooking up with some bluefish, red and black drum, and some large whiting (1.5+ lbs.). Fresh shrimp are an excellent bait for all these species.

Offshore, the grouper bite has been best 30+ miles from the beaches, where anglers are bending rods on reds, gags, and scamps. Some large American red snapper have been reported as well. Cigar minnows and Boston mackerel will appeal to the grouper and snapper’s palates.

There are a few kings feeding around 30 miles offshore. Boats are hooking up with the kings by trolling dead cigar minnows or pinning them to the light line when bottom fishing.

In the Gulf Stream, the trolling bite has been good, particularly around the Same Ole. Wahoo and blackfin tuna are making up the majority of the catch in the bluewater, but boats are finding a few yellowfins as well. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures will draw strikes from the tuna and wahoo.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing is on fire in the Cape Fear River. The bite has been spread out, with anglers putting together big catches to the north and south on both sides of the river. Most of the fish are coming from areas with structure like grass islands, oyster bars, mud banks, and creek mouths.

The trout are not only numerous, but large, with a number of fish up to 6 lbs. landed recently. Live shrimp have been producing the best catches, as the specks seem somewhat reluctant to strike artificials.

Some red drum are feeding in the river bays and the same areas as the trout, and they’re finding live shrimp irresistible as well.

Anglers are landing some of the first flounder of the year, and it won’t be long until the flounder bite heats up along with the water temperature.

Plenty of black drum have been feeding around structure in Snow’s Cut and the river. Anglers landed several between 6-8 lbs. last week. A two hook bottom rig baited with shrimp should draw bites from the blues.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper bite has been solid around bottom structure 30-40 miles off the beach. Red grouper are making up the majority of the catch, but there are some scamp and big gags mixed in.

Bottom fishermen are also hooking up with good numbers of beeliners, pinkies, and other species.

Cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits will attract attention from any of the bottom fish.

An abundance of small sharks are still proving to be a nuisance to bottom fishermen, but anglers willing to move around a bit should be able to get away from them.

Some snake kings are falling for cigar minnows fished on the light line, but overall the king bite is slow.

 

Tory, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that plug casters are staying busy with the bluefish.

Bottom fishermen are hooking up with whiting on cut shrimp.