Carolina Beach August 10, 2006
Jamie, at Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the fishing is continuing with a normal summer pattern. Flounder are widespread and biting in a variety of areas both inshore and nearshore. The Cape Fear River, Snow’s Cut, and Carolina Beach and Masonboro Inlets are good areas to try inside.
Nearshore, the 2 to 3 lb. flounder continue to bite at the Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs, as well as at John’s Creek.
Spadefish are still biting jelly balls around the reefs as well.
Some citation spanish mackerel have been coming from the area around John’s Creek, so keeping a live bait on the surface is a good idea. The spanish are also falling for trolled Yo-zuri plugs.
The river is producing good numbers of puppy drum from creek mouths and rocky points. The standard Carolina-rigged finger mullet and pogies will get bites from the drum.
Speckled trout are biting live shrimp and topwaters, such as the Mirrolure She Dog, around Bald Head Island.
The kings are spread out, with quality fish coming from nearshore and offshore spots. Live baits and skirted cigar minnows will get attention from the kings wherever they are.
Bailer dolphin are thick around the Tower, with fish biting cigar minnows and ballyhoo. A Blue Water Candy skirt in blue/white or pink/white will enhance the dead baits.
Red grouper are biting well, but anglers are tight-lipped about where. The 23 mile area is a good place to start looking. The gag bite is fairly slow.
In the gulf stream, some dolphin and wahoo are being caught, but the action is not spectacular.
Bruce, at Flat Dawg Charters, reports decent flounder fishing with fish in the 2 to 3 lb. range. The mullet are thick along the grass and make excellent flounder bait.
Fish are coming from the Cape Fear River, Carolina Beach Inlet, and on structure out in the ocean.
Spanish mackerel are making a comeback, with good sized fish in the 2 to 3 mile range (and a few kings mixed in).
A few speckled trout are being caught in the CB Inlet, as well as the lower river. Small live baits or live shrimp will catch the trout if they are around.
The redfish action has been slow around Carolina Beach and in the river, but it has been very good in the waterway and creeks around Wrightsville Beach using topwaters and live baits early and late in the day.
Dave, at Fryingpantower.com, reports that the gulf stream action has slowed a bit. Dolphin are the big draw, with white marlin and the occasional blue marlin tossed in to keep things interesting.
The dolphin continue to be thick in the offshore waters around any of the large weed lines. The weed lines are stacked up from 20 miles on out. Rigged ballyhoo and rigged squid on small skirts seem to be the baits of choice.
The king mackerel bite has been excellent over the last week or so. Big fish are coming from the 30/30 and Fairway Buoy area, with schoolies coming from just about anywhere including the area inlets.
The spanish bite has been off a little, but it is still active.
The gags continue to move closer with keeper sized fish as close as 10 miles. The main bite seems to be in the 17 to 25 mile range. Reds are from 25 miles on out, with some scamps mixed in. Scamps are from 35 miles on out. Look for somewhere for them to get out of the current.
Susie, at Kure Beach Pier, reports that fishing at night is producing small croaker and spots on shrimp.
Some flounder up to 2 lbs. are biting Carolina-rigged mullet or mud minnows.
Anglers are catching some sheepshead up to 6 lbs. on barnacles.
No king mackerel were caught this week.
The water is between 82-84 degrees.
