Added on Thursday, May 8, 2008  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach May 8, 2008

Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that last week’s storms slowed the speckled trout bite in the river somewhat, but there are still enough specks around that anglers should be able to put together a decent catch. Live shrimp fished under floats are the absolute best trout baits, but anglers who can’t get their hands on shrimp should be able to hook up while casting Billy Bay and DOA shrimp imitations.

Flounder fishing is improving with the rising water temperatures. Many anglers are now catching 2-3 flatfish per trip (with a few 2-4 lb. fish mixed in with the undersized ones). Live baits fished on Carolina rigs are the top flounder producers, and anglers are beginning to find some decent schools of peanut pogies in the Cape Fear to catch for baits.

Red dum fishing has been somewhat spotty in most of the river this week, but anglers are finding some reds feeding in the shallow water of the bays.

Surf anglers are landing some red drum up north around Hutaff Island. Anglers are also hooking up with some oversized chopper bluefish in the surf zone closer to Carolina Beach.

Spanish mackerel are beginning to feed nearshore, and some large ones have been busting bait around Sheepshead Rock. Casting Gotcha plugs or Yo-Zuris to the breaking schools of fish and working birds has been effective on spanish up to 6.5 lbs. lately.

King mackerel are following warm water and baitifish close to the beaches, and several have already been landed from piers in the area.

There have been some confirmed reports of cobia within 10 miles of the beach, and it won’t be long until they’re feeding around the nearshore structure and buoys.

Grouper fishing has been excellent around bottom structure 30+ miles offshore. Fat reds and gags are making up much of the catch. Bait fishermen have been putting some nice fish in the boat recently, but anglers using butterfly jigs are hooking up with plenty on the lighter jigging tackle as well.

Out in Gulf Stream, boats are finding excellent numbers of dolphin. Most are gaffers, and anglers are hooking up with some 30-40 lb. bulls.

Over the break in 170-200′, wahoo fishing has been excellent as well. Many of the wahoo are 50-60 lbs., and a good number of blackfin tuna are mixed in.

Out in 400-600′, boats have been raising and hooking a surprising number of blue marlin recently. The dolphin action has been good in the deep water, too, and the blues are frequently surprising boats trolling dolphin spreads.

Ballyhoo beneath skirted trolling lures are the top baits for the dolphin and wahoo, and the marlin have been showing an interest in them as well.

 

Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that fishing in the Cape Fear River has been excellent over the past few weeks. Speckled trout fishing has been particularly good, with anglers landing specks (from 2-6+ lbs.) around grass islands, oyster beds, mud banks, and other structure. Live shrimp fished beneath slip floats are by far the most effective way to target the trout.

Some red drum are mixed in with the trout all over the river, and there are also some feeding in the river bays.

The flounder bite is picking up for the summer. Although there still aren’t a huge number around, anglers are landing more and more of the flatfish every week. They’ll fall for the same baits anglers are using for the trout or drum, too, but those specifically targeting flounder would do well to fish a mud minnow or other live bait on a Carolina rig.

 

Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been excellent recently. Anglers are landing reds and gags at bottom structure 25-35 miles and further offshore. Beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, and other bottom feeders are rounding out the catch.

Cigar minnows and squid are some of the best baits, but anglers looking for the larger grouper can use cut or live baits to try and weed out the smaller fish.

 

Paul, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that the bluefish action has slowed down a bit, and the average size is getting smaller than the choppers that anglers were landing a few weeks ago. Gotcha plugs are producing most of the action.

Pier anglers have also picked up the first few spanish mackerel of the year over the past week.

A few flounder (some legal sized) are falling for cut baits on the bottom.

Bottom fishermen are also catching some whiting on shrimp during the nighttime.