Carolina Beach July 19, 2012
Andrew Routh, of Randleman, NC, with a 5 lb. sheepshead he hooked in the surf at Kure Beach.
Dennis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that king mackerel are finally making a good showing around the area, with fish landed at spots from the 10 mile range on out to the Frying Pan Tower area. Live baits are the best bet for the largest kings, but anglers can also hook up while trolling dead cigar minnows.
Dolphin have been reported around 12 miles out, with scattered action from those areas to the Gulf Stream. Live menhaden or dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows will tempt bites from the ‘phins. Plenty of amberjacks and sharks are in the same areas as the dolphin and kings, so anglers should be prepared to battle plenty of both, especially while trolling live baits.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are still feeding just off the beaches, but they’ve been a bit further out over the past week (with the best action in around 40’ of water). Trolling Clarkspoons will fool both of the nearshore pelagics.
Inshore, the flounder bite is still strong in the Cape Fear River, Snow’s Cut, and the ICW and inlet. Live finger mullet and menhaden are the best bets for the largest flatfish, but Gulps will also produce action. Flatfish are also feeding at nearshore structure in the ocean, where the same offerings are effective.
Some over-slot red drum are looking for meals at the same structure, and they’ll inhale live baits as well.
The inshore drum bite has been a bit slow lately, but anglers are hooking some in the bays off the lower Cape Fear River on Gulps and live baits.
Sheepshead are on the prowl around the Snows Cut Bridge and other hard structure inshore. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are tough for the crustacean-lovers to resist.
Schools of ladyfish have moved into the lower Cape Fear River, and they’ll strike just about any small lures cast their way when they’re feeding on the surface.
Margaret Pennstrom, of Carolina Beach, with a pair of flounder she hooked on live baits in Snows Cut while fishing with Capt. Austin Eubank of Clearly Hooked Charters.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the inshore fishing in the lower Cape Fear River improved substantially over the past week. Schools of red drum are working the flats in the bays off the lower river, and anglers are hooking them on topwater plugs, Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics, and live baits.
Excellent numbers of flounder are in the same areas and pouncing on the Powerbait soft plastics (with double-digit numbers of keepers some days).
Some schools of ladyfish are also feeding in the bays, with large bluefish and jack crevalle mixed in. All three will race to take a topwater plug, so anglers who spot the schools working can experience some explosive surface action.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that the flounder bite remains solid in the ICW and Carolina Beach Inlet. Anglers are hooking most of the flatfish on live finger mullet and mud minnows, with a few falling for Gulp baits and other soft plastics.
Red drum are feeding on the flats of the lower Cape Fear River, where live baits, Gulps, and topwater plugs will all produce bites.
Big numbers of spanish mackerel are feeding just off the inlets and beaches, and anglers are hooking plenty while trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal jigs to fish they find feeding on the surface.
Gray trout and some flounder are looking for meals at nearshore structure in the ocean. Live finger mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs will tempt bites from both.
Some larger red drum are feeding in the same areas and will also attack live baits.
Emily Barnette with a 29" red drum she caught and released in Snow's Cut after it struck an 8" mullet. She was fishing with Capt. Robert Schoonmaker of Carolina Explorer.
Ron, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet and spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Flounder are feeding under the pier and biting smaller live baits.
Anglers dangling fiddler crabs and barnacles under the pier are hooking a few sheepshead.
Alyssa, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that croaker and sea mullet are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Some flounder are feeding under the pier and biting small live baits.
