Carolina Beach June 17, 2010
Phil Pare, of Wilmington, with a many-spotted red drum he hooked on a Carolina-rigged pogy in Buzzard's Bay.
Wes, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that the flounder bite continues to improve in the area. Anglers have weighed in big numbers of flatfish lately, and they’re getting larger (most 2-6 lbs. with a few up to 9 lbs. last week). The bite’s been on in the inlet and in the Cape Fear River, and most of the fish are falling for live pogies.
Red drum are still feeding strong in the Cape Fear, particularly the lower river, and anglers can hook up with them on live baits, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and other lures. Sheepshead fishing has also been hot lately (with fish to 8 lbs. weighed in). Fishing live fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or other crustacean baits close to rockpiles, bridge and dock pilings, and other inshore structure is the way to hook up with the sheeps.
Schools of tarpon are feeding around the shoals at Bald Head, and anglers are hooking them on live pogies and large Sebile topwater lures.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beaches, where they can be coaxed to strike trolled Clarkspoons or a variety of small metal jigs that anglers can cast to breaking schools of fish.
The king mackerel bite’s been on around the 10 Mile Boxcars and other structure in the same range. Live pogies and dead cigar minnows will both produce results with the kings.
Some cobia are mixed in with the king mackerel and a few are running along the beaches, but they’ve been reluctant to bite lately.
Bottom fishermen aren’t reporting much in the way of great grouper action, but some fat black sea bass have been caught around structure in 50-60’ of water lately. Squid, cut baits, and small vertical jigs will all fool the bass.
Offshore, anglers are finding dolphin as close in as 23 Mile Rock, but fish get larger the further anglers make their way offshore. Live baits and dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo will all fool the dolphin.
Out in the Gulf Stream, anglers are catching more gaffer-size dolphin along with a few sailfish. Skirted ballyhoo and standalone trolling lures will both produce results on the blue water predators.
Ted Connor, of Carolina Beach, with a 9 lb. flounder he hooked in the Cape Fear River on a live pogy. Weighed in at Island Tackle and Hardware.
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum action continues to be hot in the backwaters off the lower Cape Fear River. The fish are feeding on the flats and around shell beds and other structure in the creeks. Anglers can hook them on live baits pinned to jigheads or fished under popping floats, soft plastic paddletails, and topwater plugs, which have been drawing plenty of attention lately.
Decent numbers of flounder and some speckled trout are in the mix as well, so anglers have a legitimate shot at an inshore slam in the lower river right now. The same lures and baits that anglers are casting for drum will fool all three fish.
Sheepshead are feeding around pilings, rockpiles, and other hard structure in the area. Fishing live fiddler or mud crabs tight to the structure will tempt bites from the striped fish.
Owen, of Cape Fear Coastal Charters, reports that live-bait fishing in the 15-25 mile range has been producing fast action with king mackerel, amberjacks, dolphin, and even a few sailfish lately. Live pogies are some of the best baits, but anglers can also hook up while trolling dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo.
The bottom fishing bite has been best 40+ miles off the beaches, where anglers are finding action with red and scamp grouper and a variety of other bottom feeders. Live and cut baits are excellent choices for the grouper.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper bite in the area is improving. Anglers are hooking up with decent numbers of red, gag, and scamp groupers at bottom structure 30-35 miles off the inlet. Plenty of smaller bottom feeders like grunts, pinkies, sea bass, and more are mixed in. Squid will tempt bites from the smaller bottomfish, while the grouper are more likely to go for a live bait, dead cigar minnow, or large cut bait.
A few dolphin and king mackerel are in the same area, and they will take an interest in a weightless light-line bait dangling in the current behind the boat.
Paul Arvidson (age 8) with a dolphin he hooked on a dead cigar minnow just north of the Dredge Wreck while he was fishing with his father, Eric, on the "Troublemaker."
Mike, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers have been picking up some healthy (2-3 lbs.) flounder recently, mostly on live mud minnows and finger mullet.
Bottom fishermen are decking some spot on bloodworms.
Live baiters have had a slow week but are hooking some sharks.
Connie, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that plug casters have been catching some spanish mackerel recently.
Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some whiting and a few flounder.
