Carolina Beach November 15, 2012
Lowell Mason, of Myrtle Grove Sound, with a 44 lb., 6 oz. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo trailing a red/black Ilander 45 miles off Carolina Beach Inlet. Weighed in at Island Tackle and Hardware.
Dennis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that the speckled trout action is on, and anglers are connecting with the specks from Masonboro Inlet on down to the lower Cape Fear River. Carolina Beach Inlet, Snow’s Marsh, and the grass islands in the Cape Fear have hosted some of the best action lately. Live shrimp are by far the best trout baits, but they haven’t been picky lately. Anglers are also hooking up on soft plastics, MirrOlures, and a variety of other artificials.
Some speckled trout have been feeding in the surf as well, with better action at Kure Beach last week. MirrOlures are the best bets when the specks are feeding along the beachfront.
Some big red drum are still cruising the beaches looking for meals, and anglers caught several on large cut baits last week.
Sea mullet and black drum are also feeding in the breakers, and both will fall for fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
Flounder fishing is slowing down, but there are still some flatfish around for the catching (including a 12 lb. doormat weighed in last week).
Fishing live baits and artificials at nearshore structure in the ocean is producing fast action with gray trout and black sea bass, but the fish are so ravenous they’re making it difficult to get baits to flounder feeding in the same areas. A few large red drum are also at the nearshore structure, and they will bite a variety of baits and lures.
The king mackerel are on the move offshore. Boats landed some in the 15-20 mile range last week, but they’ll likely have to go further to find the fish as the water temperature cools.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are still finding excellent wahoo fishing, with most of the fish biting skirted ballyhoo.
Larry Moeller, of Wilmington, NC, with a 45.2 lb. cobia that he hooked on squid while fishing some bottom structure in 80′ of water off Carolina Beach with Capt. Caleb Batson on the “Cheerio Lady.”
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the mixed-bag fishing in the Cape Fear River is on fire right now. Anglers are landing red and black drum, speckled and gray trout, striped bass, a few flounder, and more while light-tackle fishing the lower part of the river.
The reds are feeding in the creeks and on the flats (with larger fish on the flats) off the lower river. Gulp shrimp and D.O.A. paddletail grubs are proving effective, but fresh shrimp and live mud minnows on Carolina rigs have been the go-to baits lately.
Fresh and live shrimp are also appealing to some black drum (most 3-5 lbs.) alongside the reds.
The speckled trout action has been hot from Wrightsville Beach all the way to Southport (with most fish keepers and some to 3-4+ lbs.). A variety of artificials including split and paddletail soft plastics, Billy Bay shrimp, and MirrOlures have all taken a toll on the specks lately. Live mud minnows and shrimp have also been particularly effective. The speck bite should continue into December and perhaps longer if water temperatures don’t drop too far.
Flounder fishing has slowed somewhat, but anglers are hooking some on Gulps and live baits while fishing for the reds and specks.
Striped bass are feeding upriver around Wilmington (with many 6-12 lbs.). Diving plugs, swimbaits, and topwater plugs are all effective on the stripers.
Briggs, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet and seeing sporadic spot action while bottom fishing with shrimp. A few speckled trout are also taking an interest in the shrimp.
Ronnie, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are seeing a lot of sea mullet come over the rails. Good numbers of speckled trout, black and red drum, and a few flounder are also feeding near the pier, and all are taking an interest in fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
