Carolina Beach August 9, 2012
Griffin Spain with a 36" red drum she caught and released at John's Creek while fishing with her boyfriend, Capt. Wes Barbour of Island Tackle Charters.
Wes, of Island Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of flounder inshore in the ICW, Snow’s Cut, and the Cape Fear River (with several citation fish weighed in over the past week). Live finger mullet, menhaden, and mud minnows on Carolina rigs are top choices for the flatfish, but anglers may also be able to hook up on Gulps or other soft plastics.
More flounder are feeding around the nearshore reefs and wrecks, where live baits will also tempt them to bite.
Some large (30-40”) red drum are in the same areas and will also pounce on a live bait.
Anglers are also catching some big reds from the point at Carolina Beach Inlet at night on finger mullet and cut baits.
Black drum are in the inlet as well, and they’re taking an interest in fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the inlet and along the beachfront, where anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
There’s been a good king mackerel bite (with some fish to 30+ lbs.) at spots in the 15-20 mile range over the past week, with live menhaden producing most of the action. Dolphin, cobia, and sailfish are scattered amongst the kings and also taking an interest in the live baits.
Blue water trollers are fishing a bit inshore of the break and connecting with dolphin, a few stray wahoo, and an occasional sailfish while dragging ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures.
Jamie Blanton and Cooper Swann with a quartet of flounder that bit live tiger-side minnows in Carolina Beach Inlet.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish bite remains strong in the ocean off Carolina Beach Inlet. Most of the fish are falling for trolled Clarkspoons, but anglers may also get chances to cast metal jigs at fish they see working the surface.
Sharks are feeding behind shrimp boats in the same area, and they won’t take long to find a large cut bait.
The nearshore reefs are holding good numbers of flounder and gray trout, and both are taking a hearty interest in live finger mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs.
Some flounder and red drum are also looking for meals in Carolina Beach Inlet, where the live baits are also effective.
The bite’s been a bit slow in the lower Cape Fear River recently, but anglers are still finding some flounder and red drum action with a few scattered speckled trout. The action’s been better on the flats and in deeper areas with current than way back in the creeks, likely due to the cooler, flowing water. Fishing the morning hours has also been far more productive than during the heat of the day. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits are all getting the job done.
Robin, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some black drum and decent numbers of smaller sea mullet and croaker while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Sheepshead are taking an interest in barnacle baits dangled close to the pilings.
Anglers soaking small live baits under the pier are hooking some flounder.
Michael, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some flounder on live mud minnows and finger mullet.
Sheepshead are feeding under the pier and will take an interest in barnacles or sand fleas.
Plug casters are hooking a few bluefish while working Gotchas from the planks.
