Carolina Beach July 25, 2013
Scott Hampton, of Wilmington, with a big striped bass that bit a striped mullet in Snows Cut while he was fishing with his wife Noelle, Luke Donat, and Hayden Hammond.
Kyle, of Island Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing the trout bite improve further in the lower Cape Fear River. Anglers are hooking the specks in the creeks and around the grass islands in the river. Topwater plugs have been fooling a few, but live baits and soft plastics like D.O.A. shrimp are often even more effective.
Red drum are still looking for meals in the bays off the lower river. Topwater plugs, Gulps, and live baits are tough for the reds to pass up.
Flounder fishing has been a bit tough lately, but anglers are picking up a few flatfish in the Cape Fear River, Snows Cut, and Carolina Beach Inlet. Live mullet and menhaden are top baits, but anglers are also fooling some flounder on Gulps.
Out in the ocean, the spanish mackerel bite has improved a bit from previous weeks. Searching for clean water is key to finding the spaniards. Once anglers do find the right water, trolled Clarkspoons and other flashy lures will tempt them to bite.
Some king mackerel are feeding a bit further offshore than the spanish, but the king action has been better on the other side of Frying Pan Shoals lately. Live menhaden and dead cigar minnows will both tempt bites from the kings.
Jason Shannon of Wilmington, with 23″ and 24″ flounder that fell for live menhaden in Carolina Beach Inlet.
Bottom fishermen are reporting good gag grouper action at structure from 10 miles offshore on out. Reds and scamps are feeding a bit deeper in the 120-140’ depths. The grouper will pounce on a variety of live, dead, and cut baits.
A few dolphin have moved into the 20-30 mile range, with more feeding a bit further offshore. Live and dead baits will fool the ‘phins.
Some sailfish have pushed inshore of the Gulf Stream, but most are still feeding at spots 30 miles and further off the beach.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that the speckled trout bite has improved, and anglers are hooking solid numbers around the grass islands, rockpiles, and oyster bars in the lower Cape Fear River. Live baits and D.O.A. shrimp fished under popping corks are tempting plenty of bites from the specks.
Some red drum, black drum, and sheepshead are looking for meals in the same areas, and fresh shrimp are getting attention from all three. The reds are also taking an interest in live mud minnows and soft plastic baits.
Flounder are scattered throughout the lower river, so anglers shouldn’t be surprised when a flatfish grabs a live bait or soft plastic they were casting for reds or specks.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still finding some solid speckled trout action in the backwaters off the lower Cape Fear River. Oyster rocks and other current breaks have been producing the best fishing, and anglers are hooking the specks on soft plastics on jigheads and live baits fished under floats.
Curt Powell, of Fayetteville, NC, with a 6.03 lb. flounder that bit a live finger mullet in the Lower Cape Fear River while he was fishing with Justin Smith on the “Flounder Pounder.”
There’s still a decent red drum bite in the same areas. Live baits, soft plastics, and often topwater plugs will tempt bites from the reds.
Flounder are also looking for meals in the lower river, and they will take an interest in live baits or soft plastics as well.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding near rocky structure and bridge and dock pilings in the ICW and Cape Fear River. Both will pounce on fiddler crabs or shrimp fished tight to the structure.
Robin, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers caught good numbers of flounder last weekend, even at night during the full moon. Most are falling for small live baits under the pier.
Some bluefish, croaker, and sea mullet are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and other offerings.
Anthony, of Kure Pier, reports that anglers are hooking croaker, sea mullet, and small flounder on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Some sheepshead are taking an interest in fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and barnacles fished next to the pilings.
Plug casters are hooking a few bluefish on Gotchas.
