Carolina Beach August 9, 2007
Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing has been excellent over the past week. Most of the fish are coming from the inlets, the ICW, Snow’s Cut, and the nearshore reefs. Live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs and Gulp Alive baits are the top choices for anglers looking to hook up with flatfish.
Red drum are feeding in the inlets, the creeks, and around ICW structure. Anglers are also landing a few big red drum (20+ lbs.) out at the Yaupon Reef. The drum have a tough time turning down live finger mullet or Gulp Alive baits.
There are still a few trout around and feeding in the river, though most are smaller fish (1-3 lbs.).
Sheepshead are holding tight to pilings in the ICW, Snow’s Cut, and the Cape Fear River. Anglers have caught sheepshead up to 10 lbs. over the past week. Fiddler crabs are the top sheepshead baits, and anglers can gather them in the marshes at low tide.
In addition to the flounder and reds, schools of spadefish are holding on the Yaupon Reef. Fishing with pieces of cannonball jelly (jelly balls) is key to hooking up with the spades.
Gray trout are schooled up at John’s Creek, and they will respond well to a Stingsilver jigged over the structure there. Tipping the lure with a piece of shrimp will help draw strikes when the bite is slow.
Tarpon are rolling and feeding on the shoals near the mouth of the Cape Fear. Anglers can target them by trolling or bottom fishing with live pogies.
Most of the spanish mackerel have moved offshore, where large schools are feeding 5-6 miles from the beach. A few smaller schools of spanish are still running the beaches. Trolled Clarkspoons and Deep Divers will tempt the mackerel to strike.
The best king mackerel action is taking place 5+ miles offshore. Live pogies are the top king baits, especially for the larger fish.
The banner 2007 sailfish season continues, and boats out king fishing are seeing and hooking good numbers of the acrobatic billfish. Most of the sails are feeding in the area 5-20 miles from the beach. They’ll respond well to live baits that anglers are trolling for kings, and boats can also troll rigged ballyhoo to target the sails.
Bottom fishing remains hot, with gag grouper holding on structure 20+ miles from land. Red and scamp groupers are a bit further off, in the 30+ mile areas.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are hooking up with wahoo, some big kings, and a few dolphin.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that area flounder fishing is excellent right now. Anglers are landing plenty of flounder while fishing with live finger mullet in Carolina Beach Inlet and on the nearshore reefs. John’s Creek and the Marriott Reef have been particularly good recently. The fish are not only numerous, but they’re running large (most are 2-5 lbs. with an occasional 5-7 lb. fish).
Over-slot red drum (27-30”) and chopper bluefish are feeding throughout Snow’s Cut. Anglers are hooking up with both while drifting live baits for flounder.
Black drum and sheepshead are holding near the Pfizer Dock and the rock wall in the Cape Fear River. Fiddler crabs or shrimp fished on two-hook bottom rigs will attract attention from both species.
Gray trout are starting to show up on John’s Creek, the Marriott Reef, and Sheepshead Rock. The trout aren’t especially numerous yet, but most are solid fish (in the 3 lb. class).
Spanish mackerel are feeding around Bald Head and at Yaupon Reef, and many are larger fish (3-4 lbs.).
Madeleine, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that pier anglers are landing decent numbers of flounder (some keepers and some undersize). Small live baits are top choices for the flounder.
Croaker are taking an interest in shrimp fished on bottom rigs.
Plug casters are landing bluefish.
Anglers fishing live baits from the end of the pier hooked several kings over the week.
The water is in the mid-80’s.
