Carolina Beach October 11, 2007
Seth, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that king and spanish mackerel are feeding with abandon nearshore, particularly south of the Cape. Live pogies will draw strikes from both species, and boats can troll along the beaches, in the Cape Fear shipping channel, or around nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef. Most of the kings are in the teenager class, but anglers will find a decent number into the mid-20’s, with a few larger fish in the 30-40 lb. range.
Flounder fishing is still excellent at the nearshore reefs, where anglers are landing some nice 3-5 lb. fish on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and other live baits.
The flounder are also feeding well in the Cape Fear River, Snow’s Cut, and at spots off the ICW.
Red drum and speckled trout are prowling for meals in the river, too, and they will fall for Carolina-rigged live baits or a variety of Gulps.
Anglers are finding excellent sheepshead fishing near bridge and dock pilings and other structure. One-armed bandits (fiddler crabs) will entice the sheepshead to bite. Anglers are not only catching plenty of sheepshead, they are weighing in good numbers of large fish as well (from 6-10+ lbs.)
Offshore, grouper fishing is still good when the winds let boats get away from the dock. Anglers targeting gags should fish structure around 25 miles offshore, while the reds and scamps will be a bit further out (in the 30-40 mile areas).
Boats making it out to the Gulf Stream are finding an excellent wahoo bite. Most of the fish are falling for ballyhoo trolled under purple/black and blue/white skirts, and the hottest action last week was a bit north of the Same Ol’ Hole.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that flounder are schooled up on nearshore structure, especially around John’s Creek. Anglers landed a number of 4+ lb. flounder over the past weeks, with some pushing 6 lbs. Carolina-rigged finger mullet are the top flounder producers.
The flounder bite has also been good in Snow’s Cut and the lower Cape Fear River recently. Fall is when the Cape Fear flounder bite is at its peak, so now is the time for anglers to hit their flounder honey holes in the river.
Anglers are also landing some trout in the river. Live shrimp fished under float rigs are the top trout baits, but topwaters, such as the Skitterwalk and Top Dog, will also draw bites from the specks.
Red drum are searching for meals in the Fort Fisher bays and around Bald Head. Many are over-slot fish from 30-36”. The reds will strike live baits or topwater plugs and a variety of other lures.
Sheepshead are feeding around the Pfizer Dock, Snow’s Cut Bridge, and virtually any structure in the area encrusted with barnacles and growth. Scraping some barnacles off the structure before dropping down a hooked one-armed bandit (fiddler crab) should put the sheepshead in a feeding mood. The sheepshead have been hungry and numerous lately, with anglers landing double digit numbers of fish (some in the 6-9 lb. class).
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that when the winds moderate, the bottom fish should be abundant and hungry. Anglers will find the best action with reds and scamps 35 or so miles off the beach, with the majority of the gags feeding a bit closer in. Live baits, whole and cut cigar minnows, and squid will all draw bites from the hungry groupers.
Rod, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing spot, pompano, and some small bluefish on shrimp and bloodworm baits. The bottom action has been much better at night than in the daytime.
Several kings have been landed over the past week, with the largest weighing 25 lbs.
