Carolina Beach June 16, 2005
Robbie, of Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that the sheepshead bite came on strong this week. There were catches reported from the surf, the piers, the river, and the bays. The biggest they weighed in this week was 11 lbs. Go with sand fleas or shrimp. They also weighed in more flounder this past week. They’re coming from the Cut, the river, and the waterways. A couple came in weighing in the 5 pound class. There haven’t been many on the nearshore reefs yet, and the few that are there are small.
The pompano have been the main bite in the surf, with several landed in the 2 to 4 lb. range. You’ll also find some small blues and spanish just off the beach.
Speckled trout are showing up in the river. They’re moving up river as they get ready to spawn.
Dave Tilley, of FryingPanTower.com, reports that offshore the water continues to warm up. The dolphin have been thick around the numerous weedlines through out the offshore waters. There is one set in the 50-mile range and another in the 30-mile range. King Mackerel have slowed somewhat, but the fish seem to be a little bigger in and around the 20-mile mark.
Gag grouper are starting their summer chew in the 20 to 25 mile range, and Reds are in the 25 to 35 range. Look for the small ledges in groups to find the fish.
Nearshore, spanish and small kings have slowed down some, but there is still plenty biting around any of the inshore rocks. Clark Spoons sized 00 and 01 should do the trick. During the heat of the day be sure to drop a couple down on planers. The sea bass fishing has picked up inshore as well. Plenty of 14 to 15 inch bass are around any of the 10-mile area rocks.
Barry, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports king mackerel have been hot all week anywhere from 5 mile boxcars out to WR-4. Dolphin are hot at the stream with a few fish moving inshore as close as 25 miles. Spanish are along the beach, inlets and nearshore wrecks as well as bluefish. Cobia are hungry along tidelines and nearshore wrecks with some anglers getting double hook ups. Some grouper are biting within 25 miles now and the sea bass should still be thick as well. The surf fishermen are picking up pompano as well as whiting.
