Carolina Beach – October 2023
Kevin, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that surf anglers rigged with two-hook dropper setups are catching whiting, croakers, and a few pompano. The successful bait choices have varied between shrimp, Fishbites bait strips, and sand fleas.
Anglers on the local piers are having success casting plugs to bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Some nice-sized king mackerel (to 30 lbs.) have also started to show for anglers fishing live baits off the ends. Hopefully, some cooler water moving forward will see even more action. Inshore anglers have been catching a nice mix of red drum and plenty of flounder. Both reds and flatfish are really everywhere from the ICW back into the Cape Fear River. The speckled trout bite has been pretty sparse, but it should be picking up soon with water temps starting to cool down in the area. Fishing crabs or shrimp around the hard structures is producing black drum and nice-sized sheepshead. Nearshore runs are finding respectable numbers of Spanish mackerel, and the bottom fishing action over the deeper (80’+) structures has been good.
Luke, of Spot On Charters, reports that fish (primarily flounder and red drum) are scattered just about everywhere right now in the river and back out into the ICW. The biggest key to finding fish is targeting areas holding bait. You want to be sure to find a spot that has some current flow, and then nearby structure or ledges are a bonus. With so much bait in the area, anglers will do best by “matching the hatch.” The 3-5” finger mullet are producing flounder action, with larger fish feeding on larger baits. A bunch of freshwater is in the river system. Targeting the saltwater species has been best by fishing closer to the inlets and not up towards downtown Wilmington. Anglers will also be able to find good numbers of flounder and red drum out on the local wrecks.
Tommy, of Mungo Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been able to find flounder scattered just about everywhere in the area. With so much live bait around (primarily mullet but also menhaden), it’s hard not to take advantage of that bait and fish what the flatties are naturally eating. Red drum action has been good and only picks up as it moves into fall. These fish are still holding in smaller, scattered groups. Anywhere from creek mouths, shallow bays in the marshes, and the inlet areas are holding reds. Bottom-rigged dead baits have been the most productive, likely as a result of weather having the water stirred up. Speckled trout action is still best during those early morning hours for anglers fishing topwater plugs. In the coming weeks, these fish will start staging up in some of their typical fall areas and will feed later into the day.
Mason, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are starting to transition with these cooler nights bringing cooler water temperatures. Look for smaller groups of redfish to be following the mullet towards the inlets where they will school a little more. The flounder action has been great throughout the keeper season. ICW docks and structure in the river are seeing some quality flatfish. Fishing the hard structures in the river with live crabs has produced black drum and sheepshead. This action is all about being able to fish vertically and keep baits right up against structure. Though the trout action has been spotty to date, the cooling water temperatures will see a greatly increased speckled trout bite.
Rod, of OnMyWay Fishing Charters, reports that these passing weather fronts will be cooling down water temperatures on the beach. Then water in the mid to low 70s will have mullet flowing out of the inlets and along the beach. With that mullet flush, the area should see the citation-class Spanish mackerel migrating into our area.
The fall king mackerel bite will soon be showing its face as they move nearshore to feed. For the time being, the best action has been found in the 20-24 mile range. Anglers can have a lot of success fishing Blue Water Candy skirts behind planers with long (60’) leader lines. A strip of false albacore makes a great bait as it can handle higher trolling speeds. The top colors for kings have included pink, blue, and chartreuse. Wrecks, ledges, and live bottoms in this same range are also holding amberjacks and a bunch of barracuda. Bottom fishing action remains strong on the deeper reefs. Anglers are seeing jumbo black sea bass (3+ lbs.), groupers, large vermilion snapper, porgies, and plenty of American red snapper.
Anglers making the run out to the break are finding some good wahoo action, especially in the three days around the turn of a new or full moon cycle. Wahoo are very structure-oriented fish, so targeting rocks, bumps, or even floating debris are areas to locate these toothy critters. Most strikes will come from deep, so utilizing planer rods or downriggers are key in having success with wahoo. Cameron, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a bunch of flounder (to 4+ lbs.) over the short keeper season. As the ocean conditions settle after this run of fronts, anglers anticipate seeing some kings showing back up.
