Carolina Beach August 26, 2010
Pam Morrow, of Wilmington, with a 7 lb., 2 oz. flounder she hooked off Carolina Beach Pier on a live finger mullet. The doormat is the largest flatfish of the year for the pier so far.
Dennis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that the flounder fishing’s still solid in the area. Anglers are hooking up with the flatfish at the nearshore wrecks and inshore in the Cape Fear River, Snow’s Cut, and Carolina Beach Inlet (many have been on the small side lately, but a good number of 5+ lb. citation fish are in the mix as well). Live finger mullet have been producing the most action lately.
Some large (upper-slot to over-slot) red drum have been mixed in with the flatfish in the Cape Fear River and at nearshore structure, and live finger mullet are tough for them to resist as well.
Gray trout have shown up on the same nearshore structure that the flounder and reds are feeding on. Some decent bluefish (2-3 lbs.) are in the mix as well.
The speckled trout bite has been a bit slow, but anglers are connecting with a few while fishing in the early mornings in the river.
Spanish mackerel fishing remains decent around Carolina Beach Inlet, but the bite’s a bit slower than it has been lately. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers is the best way to hook up.
The king mackerel bite remains a bit difficult, but anglers are picking up a few dolphin at many of the usual king spots 10+ miles out.
Ryan, of Carolina Beach Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding plenty of action with red drum around the mouth of the Cape Fear River on the Bald Head and Southport sides. There’s also been a decent drum bite around docks along the ICW. Live finger mullet and a variety of lures will fool the reds.
Some large flounder are feeding in Snow’s Cut and the river, and they will also take an interest in finger mullet.
Anglers are seeing more speckled trout in the river, with live shrimp being the go-to baits.
Ladyfish are starting to show up in the ICW and Snow’s Cut.
Surf anglers have found some action with larger red drum (30”+) at the north end of the island.
Whiting and some pompano are feeding in the surf at the south end, where anglers can hook them on sand fleas. The fleas have been plentiful, so finding bait shouldn’t be too difficult.
George Scott, of Indian Trail, NC, with a 33" red drum that bit a live finger mullet in the surf at Carolina Beach.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite is still solid in the backwaters off the lower Cape Fear River. Anglers are hooking some fish on soft plastics and topwater plugs in the mornings, but live baits have been more productive during the heat of the day.
The speckled trout bite is turning on and will only get better as September rolls around. Anglers are picking up a few specks while fishing for the reds, but targeting them around rocky structure with live shrimp is the most effective way to hook up.
Schools of jack crevalle have been feeding in the channels off the lower river, and they’re blasting topwater plugs.
Some tarpon have been seen and hooked in the same areas.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer Charters, reports that the inshore fishing continues to be hot in the lower Cape Fear, where anglers are hooking good numbers of red drum and some flounder and speckled trout while casting paddletail grubs in the marshes.
The flounder bite has also been on further upriver, where live finger mullet have been producing plenty of bites.
Flounder fishing’s still hot on the nearshore reefs as well, and live baits are also the ticket in the ocean.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches and will take an interest in small metal lures cast towards the feeding schools.
Sharks fishing’s been productive near shrimp boats culling their catch just offshore. Large cut baits will tempt bites from the sharks following the shrimpers.
Mike Supa, of Wilmington, and Dave Paddock, of Virginia Beach, with a sailfish that fell for a ballyhoo under a pink/white Blue Water Candy skirt 6 miles off Masonboro Inlet.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel fishing has slowed a bit, but anglers are still catching decent numbers while trolling Clarkspoons around the inlet and just offshore.
Sharks feeding behind shrimp boats in the area will take an interest in large cut baits.
Gag, red, and scamp grouper and a host of other bottom feeders are holding around structure 30-40 miles offshore. They’ll take an interest in squid and dead, cut, and live baits.
Danielle, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some spot and croaker on shrimp.
Flounder are falling for small live baits fished on the bottom.
Plug casters are catching plenty of bluefish and a few smaller spanish mackerel.
Johnny, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs.
Spot and croaker are falling for shrimp-baited bottom rigs.
