Carolina Beach May 26, 2005
Robbie, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that big blues moved in over the weekend. The store weighed in several blues in the 7 to 9 pound class. Guys were finding the big blues off of the piers and in the surf. The piers also saw a few spanish mackerel lately, but not in big numbers. In addition to numerous blues, the surf is also producing some black drum (5 to 6 lbs.) and pompano (2 to 3 lbs.).
The inshore fishing is still a little slow, as the water temps continue to be lower than usual for this time of year. There have been some flounder caught in the regular areas-Snow’s Cut and the inlet. Most of the fish are just under or just barely over legal size. There were a few 3 lb. fish reported, but not many. Baitfish have also been harder than normal to find.
Capt. Dave Tilley, of FryingPanTower.com, reports that offshore the king mackerel are being caught in numbers in and around WR-4 on cigar minnows and ballyhoo. The occasional dolphin are being caught as close as 25 miles. Red grouper are thick and chewing around the 30-mile range. Gags are 25 miles out. Cigar minnows and squid are the baits of choice.
Inshore, the spanish mackerel and bluefish are being caught in numbers all along the coast. Keeper king mackerel are also mixed in. Last year there were under-sized kings that were being caught while spanish fishing. They are back and just big enough to be keepers this year. Clark spoons size 00 and 01 seem to be the trick. Be sure to put one down on a planner, too. Nice sea bass are anywhere from 10 miles on out.
Barry, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports the flounder are here but they are small. Bluefish are in the surf and off the beach and running anywhere from 1 lb. to 10 lbs. Those trolling nearshore are catching nice spanish mackerel and very small kings. Drum fishing is getting good in the creeks behind Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island mostly on lower tides. Speckled trout have been off and on in the lower end of the river. Off the beach there have been a number of Cobia caught with one coming as close as John’s Creek. Kings are at the tower and to the south with no reports of any big fish coming in yet. Bottom fishing the grouper are as close as 25 miles while the Same Ole has been the place to be for gulf stream action with lots of small dolphin with a few larger ones up to 30+ lbs. mixed in. Tuna and wahoo are also still biting fairly well.
