Carolina Beach August 14, 2008
Billy Neely, from Carolina Beach, with a 27.5" red drum he caught and released in Snow's Cut on a live finger mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Mike Dennis of Cape Fear Guide.
Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder fishing is heating up on nearshore structure from John’s Creek to the Yaupon Reef. Live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs are producing action with the flatfish.
There has been plenty of surface activity at the reefs as well, with large spanish mackerel (some up to 5+ lbs.) chasing the flounder baits up, and some stout kings (up to 20+ lbs.) feeding in the area as well.
Boats trolling Clarkspoons along the beaches are finding plenty of action with smaller spanish mackerel as well.
Tarpon are also looking for meals at the reefs, on the shoals just outside the river mouth, and in the river itself. Large live baits should get attention from the tarpon when anglers can find them.
King mackerel are spread out at spots from just off the beaches to offshore structure in 100+’. Live baits are fooling most of the fish, but they’ll fall for dead cigar minnows, too.
Anglers fishing 15 miles and further offshore are finding dolphin and sailfish mixed in with the kings. Live baits-especially cigar minnows-have been producing the most action, although pogies and dead cigars will work, too.
Bottom fishing has been phenomenal lately, with an excellent red grouper bite at bottom structure 30+ miles offshore. Some scamps, big beeliners, and other bottom fish are joining in on the action. Boats are encountering gag groupers slightly closer to shore, in the 20 miles range. Live baits, cut baits, and frozen cigar minnows will produce action with the bottom dwellers.
Inshore, anglers are hooking up with some flounder in the river, the inlets, and the ICW. Carolina-rigged finger mullet are the ticket to flounder strikes inshore as well.
ICW docks have been producing solid action with red drum, and live finger mullet will get their attention, too.
The docks are also giving up some sheepshead (some bruisers up to 10 lbs. were caught last week). Fiddler crabs will get attention from the sheeps.
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John McDow and Jimmy Prince with a 77" sailfish caught and released 22 miles off Carolina Beach. The sail fell for a king rig with a dead cigar minnow while they were fishing on the "Midnight Wind."
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the flounder bite is getting good on the nearshore reefs like Sheepshead Rock, the Marriot Rocks, John’s Creek, and others. Live finger mullet are drawing most of the flounder bites, and many of the fish are running 3-5 lbs.
Some gray trout are showing up at the nearshore structure, too. Anglers will hook a few while flounder fishing, but targeting them with Stingsilvers or other vertical jigging lures is even more effective. The gray trout action will only get better over the next few months.
Anglers are sighting tarpon and king mackerel at the nearshore structure, too.
Inside the inlet, ICW docks are holding good numbers of puppy drum, and they’ll fall for live finger mullet or fiddler crabs.
Docks and other structure in the ICW, Snow’s Cut, and the river are holding sheepshead and black drum. Both fish will eagerly strike fiddler crab baits.
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Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that bottom fishing is still excellent at ledges, live bottoms, and other structure 30-40 miles off Carolina Beach.
Red grouper are making up the majority of the catch, and they will fall for cigar minnows and cut and live baits. Some big beeeliners (2+ lbs.) are stacked up on the structure, too, and squid baits will strike their fancy.
Along with the beeliners and reds, anglers are hooking plenty of grunts, pinkies, triggerfish, and other bottom feeders.
Light-lining a cigar minnow while bottom fishing has been producing several king mackerel per trip as well.
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Susie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are catching flounder in the mornings on live finger mullet and mud minnows.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp are hooking croakers at night.
