Carolina Beach August 5, 2004
Capt. Dave Tilley, of Wild Rover II Charters, reports that offshore the king mackerel are scattered about with a few larger fish mixed in. Juveniles are everywhere. Finding a fish over 24 inches has been exception rather than the rule. Look around any of the major AR’s, and you should find fish. Dolphin are still biting in and around structure and weedlines offshore from 15 miles on out. If you find something floating in the water, be sure to stop and work it. These areas are always productive for dolphin.
Gag groupers have worked their way closer to shore, coming as close as 10 miles. Reds are plentiful from 25 miles on out, and scamps are anywhere from 30 miles on out. Whole squid, cut bait, and cigar minnows are the baits of choice.
As for inshore, the spanish were fickle most of this past week. It was hit or miss for the most part. The spanish were just hard to find, and they were ranging anywhere from 15 feet to 45 feet of water. Be sure to look out for the juvenile kings while you are spanish fishing.
Kelly, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports that the weather has taken its toll on the offshore and inshore fishing this past week. When boats are able to get out, there are some kings scattered around the offshore wrecks. Inshore, the flounder fishing has been excellent, with big flounder being taken from all parts of the ICW. Most fishermen are using live mullet minnows or some type of soft lure. The trout reports have slowed in the recent weeks, but there are still some around. The drum fishing has started to pickup now, especially around Masonboro Inlet. Drum fishing has been better on the surf, from Johns Creek to Fort Fisher. Also, on the surf there are beginning to be some pompano around.
Harry G, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that there have been only a few pompano out of the surf this week. The surf has also produced catches of a few Virginia mullet. Some guys were able to pick up a few spots. They weren’t in numbers, but the few fish they found were of good size.
Puppy drum are hitting well at the north end. The flounder are around, but there still aren’t that many big fish coming in. There was a 9 lb. fish at the beginning of the week, but otherwise no citations. No one’s been having any problems finding a toad fish on their line. They’ve been all over the place and in great numbers. Guys have also been finding some eels and ribbonfish on their line.
The finger mullet are starting to pick up, but they are still a bit scarce. They seem to be running more on the change of tides. Speaking of bait, the shrimp are finally showing up in the area.
Hopefully the storm will help the fishing in the area. The NE wind will probably push some fish in, and the rain should wash bait and fish down the river. These two actions could have the fish concentrated in the inlet, Snow’s Cut, and within one mile from the beach.
Capt. Dave Marshall, of Musicman Charters, reports that the spanish are still in the area, and they are a good grade of fish (weighing an average of 1 to 3 lbs.). The best bet still seems to be the deeper water. Try 35 feet of water or offshore of the sea buoys at both inlets.
The kings are still primarily throwbacks. There’s a few keepers mixed in, but expect the majority of your catch to be undersized. Slow trolling will increase your chance at a bigger fish. The charter boats tend to go about 5 to 6 knots when trolling for spanish, and the guys working an idle speed have been catching the bigger ones. The Schoolhouse and 18 to 25 miles out has been the best bet for kings.
The gulf has been scattered. If you can bring home 8 to 10 fish you’ve had a great day. Expect a mixed catch of wahoo, dolphin, yellowfin, and blackfin (if you can find fish).
