Carolina Beach July 29, 2004
Steve, of Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite has slowed when it comes to larger fish, but many flounder under 5 lbs. were caught this past week. The store only weighed in a couple of citation-sized flounder, but the fish in the 2 to 5 lb. range were numerous. From the surf, the pompano bite continues to improve. Use shrimp and sand fleas. There’s been a lot of croakers caught, a few whiting, and not much at all on the blues. The piers have been bringing in plenty of spanish in the early morning and late afternoon, and they’ve also had success with croakers at night. Look for pier fishing to be slow during the day. Puppy drum have been plentiful, primarily in the river. Black drum are showing up, especially around the Phizer dock. As for baitfish, the menhaden have been running exceptionally large. Most found in the river are in the 6″ to 8″ range. This is good size for the king fishing, but a little too large for flounder. More guys have been using the finger mullet for flounder fishing.
Kelly, of Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports that the king activity is scattered. The majority of reports seem to be in areas near wrecks or in areas with live bottoms. The dolphin activity has heated back up with some dolphin in close, but the majority of larger ones are closer to the stream. The sailfish have moved in and are being reported from 23 Mile Rock to the “Red and White.” The gray trout have made it back into the report, showing up on the close in wrecks. Inshore, the flounder fishing is still in full swing. Most fishermen are working the Carolina Beach Inlet, around docks in the waterway, and Snow’s Cut.
Capt. Dave Tilley, of Wild Rover II Charters, reports that the yellowfins have made their presence known in the gulf stream. A local boat banged 9 yellowfin this past week with 5 over 90 lbs. Dolphin and the occasional wahoo are the rule this time of year, but marlin and yellowfin are always a great surprise. Offshore, the king mackerel and dolphin have been caught in numbers this week. The kings are coming up along the temp. breaks in the 20 to 25 mile range. The dolphin are in the warm water around any floating structure or weedlines that you happen across. Pink still seems to be the magic color for dolphin. The juvenile kings have been everywhere.
The gag groupers are in close now. Several keepers have come up inside of 10 miles. Look for a ledge with the low side out of the prevailing current. Use cigar minnows and squid. The catches of black sea bass have been plentiful in these same areas. So when the trolling slows up, fish the bottom to round out your day. Gags are also chewing in the 25-mile range. Reds and scamps are from 30 miles on out. Find 100 feet of water, add some structure, and you will have grouper for dinner. Cigar minnows, cut bait, and whole squid all work. If you have a hard time anchoring the boat in just the right place, try drifting. Just make sure you drift the same spot on the same drift line over and over.
Inshore, the spanish are biting real good around both Carolina and Wrightsville Beach. Clark spoons (#00 and #0) are the ticket. Look for the birds working, and you will find the fish.
Capt. Dave Marshall, of Musicman Charters, reports that spanish remain close to the beach on out to about 35′ of water. The 35′ of water spots seem to be doing better with the warmer weather. Small kings continue to be mixed in, and there are a couple of places where you’ll also find some blues with the spanish. King fishing is producing tons of throwbacks. You’ll find a few keepers, but by far the majority of the fish are snakes. The artificial reefs are loaded up with barracuda and amberjacks. This week saw several catches of dolphin. Most were smaller sized, but there are still a few larger ones in the area. The gulf stream has been producing a handful of fish. One local boat brought in 7 yellowfins, and others have found the occasional wahoo.
