Carolina Beach – August 2021
Andrew, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that pier anglers have seen a recent hot run of king mackerel and large spanish mackerel on live baits.
Surf fishing has been producing tons of croaker, whiting, and scattered flounder.
Inshore anglers are catching good numbers of red drum and flounder from the inlets back into deeper holes in the Cape Fear River.
Nearshore trolling has been producing plenty of spanish mackerel from the beaches out to 40’. Clarkspoons rigged behind planers are the go-to setup and continue to out-produce other tactics.
King mackerel are scattered near the beach, with most schools holding out in the 10 mile range. Live baits and Big Nic Mac-A-Hoos rigged with dead baits are both getting strikes.
Offshore anglers are pulling good-sized grouper off deeper structure in the 20+ mile range.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that redfish action has been steady in the cooler early and late hours now that the fish are holding a mid-summer pattern. Live baits are producing most of the action (to match all the bait pushed in the river).
Flounder are being caught by the same types of Carolina-rigged live baits.
Julie Bowden, from Carolina Beach, caught (and released) this 24″ speckled trout on live bait in the Cape Fear River.
Luke, of Spot On Charters, reports that red drum fishing has been good despite the summertime temperatures. With high temperatures, Carolina-rigged baits have been producing the most consistent bite, with a little action on topwater plugs early or under calm conditions. This is a good class of mid- to upper-slot reds being found.
Flounder fishing has been very good, with most anglers fishing live baits in their typical habitats. All signs are pointing to keeper season being very productive once it opens.
Tommy, of Mungo Fishing Charters, reports that red drum action has been steady, with smaller groups of fish scattered throughout the inshore waters. With the hot summertime conditions, it has been productive to get on the water early in the morning. A mix of Carolina-rigged live baits, topwater plugs, and soft plastics are all having success.
Speckled trout are mixed in some of these deeper holes and are striking topwater plugs and soft plastics in the early morning hours.
Flounder are being caught by live baits and soft plastics bounced off the bottom.
Scott Moore, from Wilmington, with a 28″ red drum caught (and released) using a finger mullet in the Cape Fear River.
Rod, of OnMyWay Fishing Charters, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has been consistent, with action from the beaches out to 55’. More recently the schools are holding deeper, outside the tidelines, in the 3-4 mile range. Clarkspoons rigged behind #0 and #00 planers are a must for anglers looking to target the spanish mackerel. These schools are holding deep to avoid the heat, and early morning hours are much more productive. Keeping long and lightweight leader lines (30’+ long) helps with hookup numbers.
King mackerel action has been strongest in the 18-30 mile range over live bottom and ledges. Anglers should be on the lookout for ledges that are holding bait, as these areas will outperform the more popular spots. Anglers looking to slow-troll (2-3.5 knots) are having success with Blue Water Candy dead bait rigs and Big Nic Mac-A-Hoos run deep and on light leader lines.
Mahi are scattered just about everywhere, with high water temperatures having the larger schools broken up. When targeting nearshore mahi, it is key to focus on conditions that breed action. On the ride out, focus on finding good water color which has started around the 18 mile range. Pair this with finding some sort of temperature variation, and it’s time to drop lines. Rapala Magnum and similar deep diver plugs are great first lures out, with Blue Water Candy or Sea Witch skirts rigged with belly strips or smaller ballyhoo also being great in the spread. The top producing color patterns have been pink, blue/white, and chartreuse.
Bottom fishing in the 18-40 mile range has been great. A mix of large beeliners (3+ lbs.), porgies, black sea bass, and grouper are all in the daily counts.
There are plenty of large American reds (up to 20+ lbs.) around the deep offshore structure (providing difficulty to anglers targeting grouper).
Jackson, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been most productive, with anglers catching a mix of whiting and pinfish.
When the water is clean, you can expect spanish mackerel to be pushing onto the piers and the sand.
When the water is dirty, schools of bluefish are still ripping baits on the surface for anglers casting Gotcha plugs.
