Added on Thursday, June 12, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach June 12, 2008

Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing has been excellent lately (with plenty of bigger fish in the 4-5 lb. class and few to 7 weighed in lately). The best action has been in Carolina Beach Inlet, but anglers are also finding good numbers of fish in the ICW, Snow’s Cut, and the river. Carolina-rigged live baits are top choices for the flounder, and anglers shouldn’t have a problem catching some flounder-sized pogies in the Dredge Pond.

Red drum are feeding in the usual spots in the Cape Fear-the lower river bays, in creeks, and around structure. Live baits or a variety of lures should appeal to the reds.

The hot weather has slowed down the trout bite a bit, but the fish are still around.

There are still some chopper bluefish (up to 10+ lbs.) feeding nearshore and in the Cape Fear River, where they’re surprising flounder and trout fishermen.

Spanish mackerel fishing remains excellent along the beaches, although the average size has fallen somewhat, as the larger fish are feeding a bit further offshore. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or bird rigs or Yo-Zuri Deep Divers will attract attention from the spanish.

The Deep Divers will also draw strikes from the scattered king mackerel feeding nearshore. While there are some kings on the beach, the best action has been at spots around 10 miles offshore. Cigar minnows will draw bites from the kings, but live baits are better, and anglers are beginning to find pogies easily in the Cape Fear.

A few cobia have been landed nearshore, especially around the artificial reefs. Anglers can hook up with the cobia on live pogies or by sight-casting bucktails to the fish.

Bottom fishing has been productive as close as 25 miles from the inlet, where boats are finding some big gag grouper. Red grouper and scamps are feeding better at structure 35+ miles offshore. Anglers looking to hook up with the grouper should be able to score while baiting up with cigar minnows or working butterfly jigs near the bottom.

Dolphin are feeding inshore of the Gulf Stream, with some boats reporting the fish as close as 20 miles. Spots further offshore should be holding more and bigger dolphin, with the largest fish still feeding in the Stream itself. Ballyhoo trolled under skirted lures will fool the dolphin wherever they are.

Joining the ‘phins out in the blue water are decent numbers of wahoo, and boats are finding a solid sailfish and blue marlin bite at Gulf Stream hotspots as well.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the flounder bite is still excellent in Snow’s Cut, the ICW, and Carolina Beach Inlet. The bite in the river, however, has been a bit slower recently. The fish are getting larger, with anglers now landing plenty in the 2-5 lb. class.

Live baits fished on Carolina rigs are the ticket to hooking up with the flatfish, and killie minnows, finger mullet, and peanut pogies have all been productive recently. Anglers can cast net the killies around sandbars and shoals, find the finger mullet in the creeks, and get plenty of pogies in the Dredge Pond.

Black drum (up to 5 lbs.) are feeding around the Snow’s Cut Bridge and at other hard structure. Cut shrimp will entice them to bite.

The hot temperatures have slowed down the speckled trout bite a bit.

Anglers are finding drum in the lower river bays and the Elizabeth River. Live shrimp or pogies will attract attention from the reds, and X-Raps are effective artificials.

Spanish mackerel fishing has been solid around the inlet, along the beaches, and at structure such as John’s Creek.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that grouper fishing has been excellent at bottom structure in the 35-40 mile range. Anglers are hooking up with big numbers of red grouper along with a few gags in the area while baiting up with cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits. There are plenty of beeliners, pinkies, and other bottomfish filling the boxes as well.

Some king mackerel are feeding around the same structure, and dolphin should be around as well, so boats putting out a light-line while bottom fishing should find action with some pelagic fish as well.

Closer to shore, some gags are feeding at structure in the 15-25 mile range.

Spanish mackerel fishing has been fast and furious right at the inlet and along the beach lately, and trolled Clarkspoons are accounting for most of the spanish bites.

 

Susie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with a few whiting and spot on shrimp.

Those fishing live baits are landing some flounder.

Some spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.

Live baiters landed one king last week.

 

Cathy, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers casting Gotcha plugs are hooking up with some spanish mackerel.

Bottom fishermen are catching black drum and a few whiting at night on shrimp.