Carolina Beach July 4, 2013
Robin Thompson with her first speckled trout, hooked on a live pinfish in Snow’s Cut while she was fishing on the “Gettin’ Primed.”
Ron, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that fishing’s been a bit tough due to the heavy rainfall producing an influx of fresh water lately. The bite in the Cape Fear River has been particularly affected, but once the fresh water moves on and the conditions return to normal, the fish should be feeding heavily.
Flounder are feeding in the ICW and inlet, where they’re taking an interest in live menhaden, finger mullet, and Gulp baits.
Anglers are connecting with some red drum in the bays and creeks near Bald Head Island and Southport, with live baits and soft plastics producing most of the action.
Surf casters are reporting good numbers of croaker and sea mullet falling for shrimp and cut baits just off the beaches.
Out in the ocean, some large red drum are feeding around nearshore structure and taking an interest in live mud minnows, menhaden, and Gulp baits.
Some keeper sea bass and gray trout are in the same areas and will take live or cut baits.
The flounder bite out in the ocean has been a bit slow, but anglers have hauled in a few hefty flatfish from nearshore wrecks lately (6-8 lbs.).
King mackerel and dolphin are feeding from 23 Mile Rock on offshore, and they’ll strike live baits or dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that despite the recent wind and rain, anglers have been able to find some action over the past week. Flounder, sheepshead, speckled trout, and red and black drum have all been in the mix, and on some days anglers are landing all five species.
The flatfish are biting soft plastic baits on jigheads and live mud minnows and menhaden (with fish to 7+ lbs. in the past week). Most of the action is taking place around structure in the lower Cape Fear River and ICW.
Terrell and Marcus Mondragon with a 5 lb. flounder they hooked in the Carolina Beach boat basin while fishing on the “Jean Ann.”
Red drum are feeding on the flats and in the creeks off the lower Cape Fear. Live mud minnows have been the best bet for the reds lately, but anglers are hooking a few on jigs, spoons, topwater plugs, and Gulp baits.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding around rocks and bridge and dock pilings in the river and ICW, where they’ll both bite live fiddler crabs dangled tight to the structure.
Anglers are hooking the speckled trout in the creeks and bays off the lower river and taking an interest in live baits, soft plastics, and MirrOlures.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that anglers are finding action with some red and black drum in the lower Cape Fear River around oyster rocks in the creeks and bays. Live mud minnows and shrimp on float rigs are tempting bites from both, and anglers are also hooking up while casting Gulp baits under popping corks.
Sheepshead are feeding around hard inshore structure like rocks and bridge and dock pilings. Live fiddler crabs are tough for the sheeps to turn down.
Flounder fishing has been decent around Carolina Beach Inlet recently, with good numbers of fish falling for live menhaden and mud minnows in the inlet.
Robin, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that some croaker, spot, and sea mullet are taking an interest in shrimp and other baits on bottom rigs fished near the pier.
Some bluefish are biting bottom rigs and plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some bluefish, sea mullet, and croaker on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
