Carolina Beach August 25, 2005
Barry, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports hot weather and hot fishing. Inside, the inshore slam of redfish, trout, and flounder is attainable from fishing Snow’s Cut and down river all the way to the creeks behind Bald Head Island.
Outside, the kings and a few cobia are being taken by slow trolling. The 25 to 30 mile areas have been good for sailfish, dolphin, and even the rare wahoo or yellowfin tuna. Daisy chains and small ballyhoo are fooling these fish.
Out in the gulf stream, the best fishing has been for wahoo, with a few big dolphin and tuna being caught.
The Cape Fear shoals have been the place to tarpon fish, with one report of a 200 lb. class fish broken off after several hours of battle.
Steve, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that a good flounder and red drum bite continues in the Cape Fear River. Nothing really big on the flounder, but some went as heavy as 8 lbs. Even with the extremely warm weather and water, guys are still picking up speckled trout. The inlet has been producing small blues, small spanish, and some flounder.
As for surf fishing, there have been some croakers. During the night they’re picking up some whiting. This week there was an improved flounder bite in the surf, especially around old structure.
The piers are picking up spanish and blues. Go early or late in the day.
The North Pier has had a decent flounder bite.
And just off the beach guys are picking up plenty of spanish and kings.
Capt. Dave, at FryingPanTower.com, reports that offshore the dolphin have been thick around the numerous weedlines throughout the offshore waters. There is one set in the 20 mile range and another in the 30 mile range. Ballyhoo, cigar minnows, and pitch baits should be the ticket to these fun fish. King mackerel has slowed somewhat, but the fish seem to be a little bigger in and around the 15-20 mile wrecks.
Gags are still in the 10-20 mile range, and reds remain in the 20-30 mile range. Look for the small ledges in groups to find the fish. Squid, cut bait, and cigar minnows work best.
Inshore, spanish and small (keeper) king mackerel have slowed down some, but there is still plenty biting in and around any of the inshore rocks.
The sea bass fishing has picked up inshore. Plenty of 14-15 inch bass are around any of the 10 mile area rocks. Squid, cut bait, and cigar minnows work best.
