Carolina Beach May 26, 2011
Trevor Shreve (age 15), of Wilmington, NC, with a 39.4 lb. cobia he hooked on a live menhaden 10 miles off Carolina Beach.
Marshall, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that inshore anglers are finding some black and red drum feeding under docks along the ICW. Fresh shrimp, live or cut baits, and Gulps will get attention from the drum.
More reds are feeding in the lower Cape Fear River, and live baits, Gulps, and often topwater plugs will tempt bites from the reds.
Anglers are catching good numbers of flounder in the Cape Fear River and along the ICW, but many are still on the small side. Gulps and smaller live baits will tempt bites from the flounder.
Larger flatfish have been reported from the Marriott Reef and other nearshore structure, and they’ll also take an interest in live baits or bucktails tipped with Gulps.
Bluefish are feeding just about everywhere in the inshore and nearshore waters (ranging up to 10+ lb. choppers) and will strike a wide variety of baits and lures.
Brian Mead, of Wilmington, with a 22 lb. red grouper he hooked on a bluefish head at some bottom structure in 120' of water off Carolina Beach Inlet.
The king mackerel bite has been good at Yaupon Reef, and there should be some fish on this side of the cape as well. Live menhaden are the best baits for the nearshore kings.
Cobia are feeding just outside the inlets and around bait concentrations just offshore, and anglers can tempt them to bite live baits or bucktails with large soft plastic trailers.
Bottom fishermen have been finding some solid grouper action at offshore bottom structure, and live and cut baits will attract their attention.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are connecting with excellent numbers of gaffer dolphin while trolling skirted ballyhoo around local hotspots like the Steeples and Same Ol’ Hole. Some blackfin tuna are in the mix as well.
Ryan, of Carolina Beach Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are hooking up with some fat sea mullet and some large (2 lb. class) early season pompano. Sand fleas have been the most productive baits for both, and anglers can find them in the wash near the piers and elsewhere along the beaches. Shrimp will also get some attention from both bottom feeders.
Red drum are also feeding in the surf, and they’ll take an interest in a variety of baits.
Bluefish (from small up to large choppers) are running along the breakers. Large cut baits and finger mullet have been attracting the most attention from the blues.
David, Jennifer, and Bennie Purvis with a trio of gag grouper they caught at some bottom structure 30 miles off Carolina Beach Inlet.
Some smaller spanish mackerel have been landed by anglers in the surf and from the piers, and larger fish are feeding just offshore.
Anglers are landing a few keeper flounder in the surf zone, with better action in the backwaters. Live mud minnows and tiger-side minnows are top choices for the flounder inshore and along the beach.
Sheepshead are feeding around hard structure like rocks and dock pilings inshore. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs will tempt them to bite.
Robert, of Carolina Explorer Charters, reports that red drum and flounder are feeding along the oyster bar drop-offs in the backwaters off the lower Cape Fear River. Live mud minnows, Gulp Alive shrimp, and Strike King soft plastics have been attracting attention from the reds and flatfish lately.
Black drum are feeding around oyster rocks and other hard structure inshore, and they’ll take an interest in fresh shrimp.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches and inlets, and trolling small spoons or casting metal jigs should tempt plenty of bites from both.
Some cobia have been feeding around bait balls within a mile of shore, and anglers can tempt them to bite live baits or bucktails tipped with soft plastics.
Brian, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that plug casters are hooking a few spanish mackerel in the early mornings, but the bite slows down later in the days. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spaniards.
Live-baiters have been hooking up with some king mackerel and chopper bluefish over the past week while fishing from the end of the pier.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, and spot while baiting up with shrimp.
Walker Morrow (age 6), landed this 15.5" flounder on a shrimp from the Wrightsville Beach public docks while fishing with his father and sister.
Carrie, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been picking up some bluefish, sea mullet, and keeper flounder under the planks.
Some spanish mackerel and plenty of bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Live-baiters have also had some action with king mackerel over the past week.
