Added on Thursday, July 24, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach July 24, 2008

Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that the sailfish bite is improving, with anglers finding the billfish feeding at many of the traditional king mackerel spots. Anglers released sails as close as just 1/2 mile off the sea buoy last week. Live baits and rigged ballyhoo offer anglers the best odds of hooking a sail, but several have been caught on cigar minnows as well.

King mackerel are also feeding from just off the beaches to spots in 90+’ of water. Some 20+ lb. tournament class fish are mixed in with the smaller kings now.

Live baits should prove most effective with the kings lately, and there have been plenty of pogies around for king baits.

Dolphin are feeding between the 10 mile areas and the Gulf Stream, but the bite has become more scattered recently.

Bottom fishing has been solid for scamp and red grouper, among other tasty bottomfish, about 35 miles and further offshore. Cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits will attract attention from the bottom feeders.

There are some African pompano holding around Frying Pan Tower and other high relief structure, and they should fall for live baits.

Spanish mackerel fishing has been a little slow due to all the stirred up water, but anglers are still finding some fish near the beaches when they can find clean water. Trolled Clarkspoons will tempt the spanish mackerel to bite. Some larger spanish are feeding alongside kings in the Cape Fear River Channel and at traditional nearshore spots.

Inshore, flounder fishing has been hot in the ICW, the Cape Fear River, and in the inlet, with the inlet and ICW producing some especially nice fish lately (several in the 5-10 lb. class were weighed in last week). Live finger mullet or other baits on Carolina rigs will tempt the flatfish to bite.

There are still some speckled trout feeding in the Cape Fear. Anglers are finding action with the specks while drifting live shrimp around structure and on artificials like Billy Bay Halo shrimp.

Anglers are catching some red drum in the ICW from Carolina Beach north to Topsail. There are also some reds feeding in the river. Live baits, Gulp baits, and a variety of other lures will draw bites from the drum.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that flounder fishing is still strong in the inlet and in the ICW. Most of the fish are running 2-5 lbs., and live finger mullet and other baits fished on Carolina rigs are fooling them.

Some big chopper bluefish are feeding in the inlet and waterway, too, and they’re falling for the same baits anglers are fishing for flounder.

Red drum are feeding around ICW docks from Whiskey Creek to Carolina Beach. Live baits like finger mullet and fiddler crabs on Carolina rigs are fooling the fish. They tend to be spread out, so anglers will fish a few before finding the reds.

Some sheepshead are feeding at the ICW docks, too, and anglers are hooking up with sheeps (up to 5+ lbs.) on the fiddler crabs.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the rough weather kept many boats at the dock last week, but bottom fishing should still be excellent at structure 30-40 miles offshore when boats can make it out. Red and scamp groupers along with triggerfish, beeliners, and other bottom feeders have been making up the majority of the catch recently, with a few gags in the mix. Live baits, cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits will produce action with the bottomfish.

Dolphin and king mackerel are feeding around many of the areas anglers are bottom fishing, and they’ll bite a light-lined cigar minnow while boats are anchored up.

The spanish mackerel bite is still going along the beaches from Wrightsville to Carolina, but it has slowed down a little due to all the wind lately.

 

Susie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are decking some flounder. Small live baits should get their attention.

Some sheepshead are also coming over the rails, and barnacles, crabs, or other crustacean baits will entice them to bite.

Plug casters are catching a few bluefish.