Carolina Beach July 8, 2004
Kelly, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports that the kings seem to be right off the beach. Reports came in last week of king hook-ups right outside the Carolina Beach Inlet. The spanish fishing has slowed, but there are still a few being caught by trolling a spoon or using some type of jig. Offshore, the dolphin are still present in the 10 to 20 mile range, with the bigger ones further out. Inside, the flounder size is starting to get better, with some monsters coming out of the ICW this past week. Most of the big ones are being caught on live mullet minnows or pogies, if you can find them. The trout are still lingering around, but they are very scattered. Most fishermen are using live shrimp, live minnows, or some type of grub to pick up this species.
Steve, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite is primarily in the Cape Fear River and Snow’s Cut. There are fewer throwbacks, with the larger ones that were weighed in averaging about 5 lbs. Most of the flounder now have eaten enough to be legal sized. The puppy drum have been biting well off of live bait and fresh shrimp. Not many catches of big ones reported, but there have been several smaller ones caught. Guys have also been finding sheepshead this past week. They can be found on just about any structure. The biggest of the week weighed 8 lbs.
There have been some croakers and big spots in the waterway. Blues and spanish have come out of the surf and on the piers. Also look to find some whiting at night from the surf.
Baitfish have been more scarce this year than other recent years. The menhaden are in small schools. Finger mullet have been showing up, but they’re small (small enough to gill in a 3/8″ cast net). The best time for trying to catch bait has been the early, early morning and late evening. During the day it seems that they are staying down deep.
Capt. Dave Marshall, of Musicman Charters, reports that there’s been plenty of spanish, but it’s been hard to get them to bite. Fishing within 20 miles of the beach, you can find plenty of snake king mackerel. Fish the ledges and reefs. There have been several larger kings (20 to 40 lbs.) coming from right on the beach. The kings have been a little picky around the full moon, perhaps because they are feeding a lot at night. Also near the beach there have been several tarpon spotted and you can still find cobia in the area.
The gulf has been slow, maybe because of the moon and maybe just because it’s that time for it to get slow. You do have a chance at dolphin, wahoo, or a tuna. Look for weedlines to fish.
Capt. Dave Tilley, of Wild Rover II Charters, reports that the offshore action has been good this week with catches of dolphin and king mackerel. Gaffer size dolphin have been caught within 20 miles, and loads of schoolie size kings have been plentiful in the cool water pockets. Nice cobia have made their appearance up and down the coast, with several really nice ones as close as the Sea Buoy.
The grouper continue to chew with gags coming up as close 15 miles, but the real action has been from the high 20’s on out. Reds and scamps have been caught in numbers all week. Closer to shore, the spanish mackerel have been hit or miss. The falling tide seems to be the trick. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the birds working. Find the Birds…Find the Fish.
