Carolina Beach September 1, 2005
Barry, at Cape Fear Marine and Tackle, reports it was an inshore week for anglers in the area due to mother nature. Flounder up to 7 lbs. were caught with most fish ranging 2 to 4 lbs. Red drum are more active this week biting around piers and docks, in addition to the usual spots in the river. The river is also the place to find speckled trout (if you can get out of the wind).
Earlier in the week, a few boats made it to the gulf stream and did fair on the wahoo and very well in raising white marlin.
Steve, at Seagull Bait and Tackle, reports that steady flounder came in this week, but it definitely wasn’t a great week for them. The flounder came from the usual areas: CB Inlet, Snow’s Cut, and the river. The biggest weighed in this week went a little over 7 lbs., and just about everything is coming on mullet minnows.
The puppy drum bite has been steady in the river. Guys have been finding several over-the-slot fish. Go with live bait or the Mirrolures.
This week the river produced some gray trout. They were running 1-3 lbs., and they were coming on sting silvers and cut bait.
Sheepshead fishing was slow this week.
The surf produced a usual summer bite, with catches of whiting, pompano, and blues.
Capt. Dave Tilley, at FryingPanTower.com, reports that offshore the dolphin bite has slowed up somewhat, but the kings are still strong around the area wrecks. The occasional yellowfin is showing up here and there for the king mackerel fisherman, with at least two being caught this last week.
Inshore, the first part of the week the spanish were biting strong around the area inlets. They have, however, let up somewhat since this last blow. Go with #00 Clark spoons down deep as your main producer.
Offshore, the gags are close to shore now. There are keepers coming from as close as 10 miles on out into the 20’s. Red grouper are plentiful in the 25 plus mile range, and scamps are in the 30ish mile range.
Inshore, the black sea bass are chewing the bottom out of the boat. Find a rock or ledge in the 5 to 10 mile range, and you will catch them up for sure.
