Carolina Beach July 29, 2010
Austin Gray and Tyler Till, from Wilmington, with a 33" bluefish and a 5.45 lb. flounder that the anglers hooked on live pogies in Snow's Cut.
Dennis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that overall the flounder bite has slowed down a bit inshore, but anglers did catch some citation-class (5+ lbs.) flatfish in Snow’s Cut last week. Live pogies and finger mullet are fooling the flounder that are biting. The wind hasn’t let many small boats out the inlet lately, but flounder should still be feeding on nearshore structure like the Marriott Reef.
Speckled trout fishing has improved in the Cape Fear River, where anglers are hooking the fish on live shrimp and soft plastic shrimp imitations.
The red drum bite in the river remains decent. Anglers are hooking the reds on topwater plugs, Gulp baits, other lures, and a variety of live baits.
Not many boats went spanish or king mackerel fishing last week, but several of both species were landed on the piers, so they’re around when anglers can get out and chase them. Trolling Clarkspoons will fool the spaniards, while live baits are a better bet for the kings.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been hit-or-miss lately, with a day of good fishing followed by a day when they’re tough to find. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting Gotcha plugs and other small metal lures will fool the spanish when anglers can find them.
Sharks are feeding around shrimp boats in the area and will take an interest in large cut baits.
Bottom fishing at nearshore structure in the ocean is producing action with flounder, gray trout, bluefish, and other species. Live pogies and finger mullet are tempting them to bite.
The inshore flounder bite’s been a bit slow, but some are falling for the same live baits in the Cape Fear River, the ICW, and Snow’s Cut.
The speckled trout bite has been improving in the river, where anglers are hooking up while casting soft plastics and live finger mullet and mud minnows.
The red drum action in the river has been up-and-down with the weather. Nice days have been producing decent fishing in the backwaters of the lower river, while the fishing’s been much tougher when the wind cranks up. Soft plastics and live baits will tempt bites from the reds when they’re feeding.
Jennifer Lloyd, of Wilmington, with a black drum that fell for fresh shrimp in the Fort Fisher surf.
Owen, of Coastal Carolina Charters, reports that the flounder bite in the Cape Fear River has fallen off a bit, but anglers can find a few around the grass islands.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beaches, and trolling Clarkspoons to the north of the area fooled decent numbers last week.
Tarpon are cruising the beaches and feeding on pogies, but it’s tough to get them to bite.
Bottom fishing at structure in the 20 mile range produced fast action with gag grouper and a few scamps last week. Cigar minnows are fooling the grouper.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite still isn’t on fire, but it’s much better than it was last week. Trolling Clarkspoons around the inlet and the beachfront nearby should attract some attention from the spanish.
The wind’s made getting offshore tough lately, but anglers can expect action with gag, red, and scamp groupers around structure in the 30-40 mile range when they can get offshore. Cigar minnows and cut or live baits will draw bites from the grouper.
Smaller bottom feeders like grunts, pinkies, beeliners, and more are feeding in the same areas and will take an interest in squid.
Matthew Davenport, from Sanford, NC, with a 25" red drum he hooked on a gold spoon while fishing behind Bald Head Island with his father, Michael, and David Dowd. The fish was released just after the photo.
Josh, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers caught some king and large (5 lb. class) spanish mackerel last week while live-baiting from the end of the pier.
Plug casters are picking up some smaller spanish and bluefish on Gotchas.
Whiting and some croaker are falling for shrimp-baited bottom rigs.
Benny, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen hooked up with some whiting, croaker, and flounder last week.
Some bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs.
Live baiters landed two king mackerel from the end of the pier last week.
