Carolina Beach May 13, 2004
Steve, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that for a couple of weeks the surf has been producing big pompano. Many have been in the 2 lb. range, and one went over 4 lbs. Shrimp and sand fleas are the bait of choice. Some flounder in the 4 pound range came in over the weekend. There have also been lots of smaller flounder (2 lbs.), and a diver reported that the inlet was covered with them. Big speckled trout, up to 5 lbs., have been caught down by the sea wall in the second bay off of Mirrolures and grubs. Whiting continue to be caught in the surf and river. The spanish are all over the 1-3 mile range off the beach, and expect blues to be mixed in. Also look for blues out of the surf.
Barry, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports that the area from Sheepshead Rock up to Wrightsville Beach has been hot the past week. The kings have moved in to the beach, and can also be found in the 10-12 mile range or the 20 mile area. Blues have been running up to 12 lbs., and they are on the beach and out of the surf. Nice catches of pompano are also coming out of the surf. There have been schools and schools of Spanish. Some guys are catching spanish weighing up to 6 lbs. Cobia have been spotted in our area. Offshore offers plenty of tuna, dolphin, and wahoo. Many reports he has collected have come in from the Black Jack Hole area and further south. Ben Dewar caught and released a blue marlin estimated in the 100-150 lb. range on Saturday. It is one of several blue marlin catches reported so far this season.
Capt. Dave, of Wild Rover II Charters, reports that bottom fishing continues to heat up inshore and offshore this week. Nearshore, black sea bass are plentiful throughout the region with large state citation range fish being caught in numbers. The sea bass catch this year has been the best in a long time, and large and jumbo are often the rule versus the exception. A little further out gag grouper are being caught in the 17-25 mile range. Offshore, red and scamp groupers are in the 30+ mile range, although the scamps still seem to be a little small. American reds have also started to make an appearance in the offshore waters. Whole squid and cut bait seem to be the baits of choice. Plentiful catches of grunts, jolthead (knobbed) porgies, triggerfish and pinkies (silver snapper) round out the daily mixed bag.
