Added on Thursday, October 11, 2012  Gary Hurley

Carolina Beach October 11, 2012

Kyle, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that anglers are still catching good numbers of flounder (with some 5+ lb. citations) in the inlet, Snow’s Cut, and the Cape Fear River. Live finger mullet and menhaden are producing most of the flatfish, but Gulp baits are also excellent choices.

The speckled trout bite is also turning on, with most of the action in the river. Grass islands, oyster points, and other current breaks are the best places to find the specks. Live shrimp are the top trout tempters, but Gulps or other artificials will also produce some action.

The red drum bite has been hit-or-miss inshore, but anglers have landed decent numbers of over-slot fish from the island’s surf over the past week. Cut baits and finger mullet are the best bets for the reds in the surf.

Spanish mackerel action is still going strong just off the inlet and beachfront, and huge amounts of bait are in the area. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spaniards, and trolled Clarkspoons will produce action with both. Some bigger fish (to 7+ lbs.) are in the mix, and live baits are better bets for them.

King mackerel have made a solid showing from the beaches out to spots in the 20-30 mile range recently, and anglers have been hooking big numbers while live and dead-baiting from boats, along with a few from the piers.

Grouper are feeding around bottom structure from 20 miles on off, with gags in shallower and reds and scamps in the deeper water. Live, dead, and cut baits along with vertical jigs are all effective on the grouper.

Gulf Stream trollers are reporting an excellent wahoo bite out in the blue water (with fish approaching 80 lbs. weighed in recently). Some sailfish and blackfin tuna are mixed in with the ‘hoos, and all are taking an interest in skirted ballyhoo.

Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite in the lower Cape Fear River has been a bit hit-or-miss lately, but anglers are finding some slot-sized fish looking for meals in the bays and creeks. Live baits and Gulps and other soft plastics are good bets to fool the reds when anglers can find them.

There are big numbers of undersized reds feeding around structure in the lower river, along with plenty of black drum (most 2-4 lbs.). Fresh shrimp are the way to go for both drum.

Speckled trout have been providing much of the main action lately, with the best fishing around grass islands, rocks, and other inshore structure. D.O.A. shrimp and other soft plastics, along with suspending hard lures like MirrOlure MR17 and 18’s, are the best bets.

Some gray trout are feeding alongside the specks and falling for the same lures.

Robert, of Carolina Explorer, reports that anglers are catching some large red drum (36-44”) at nearshore structure within a few miles of Pleasure Island. Live finger mullet or cut baits will fool the big reds.

Large numbers of gray trout are also looking for meals at the same spots, and they will pounce on a live mullet or cut bait.

A few flounder are feeding around the nearshore structure, too, but it’s been tough to work past the gray trout and big reds to hook them.

Free-lining live baits in the same areas is producing action with some big spanish mackerel (to 7+ lbs.).

Brenda, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with a few spot and some pompano while bottom fishing from the pier. Shrimp and bloodworms are the baits of choice.

Lynn, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking some sea mullet, pompano, croaker, and other panfish, but not many spot yet. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action with the bottomfish.

Flounder are taking an interest in small live baits fished under the pier.

Plug casters are connecting with good numbers of spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotchas from the planks.