Carolina Beach September 13, 2007
Trey, of Reel Bait and Tackle, reports that red drum are on the feed throughout the area. Anglers are hooking up with the reds around ICW docks, in the marshes, in the river, and around the outer bar of Carolina Beach Inlet. The drum will fall for Carolina-rigged live baits or Gulp Alives.
Flounder are also feeding in Carolina Beach Inlet, as well as in the Cape Fear River and ICW. Anglers weighed in several flatfish from 5-8 lbs. that were caught in the inlet last week. Carolina-rigged live baits (such as finger mullet, mud minnows, and peanut pogies) are the hottest flounder baits.
The flounder bite on the nearshore reefs has been good, but last week’s high winds kept many boats from getting out into the ocean. Anglers should expect that the flounder will still be around the structure when the sea calms down.
Sheepshead are holding tight to dock and bridge pilings in the ICW and the river, and anglers should be able to tempt the “convict fish” to strike fiddler crab baits.
The speckled trout bite has been especially hot in the river, and it will get even better once the water cools down a few degrees. Due to the lack of rain recently, some of the best trout fishing has been far up the river from the usual spots.
The specks have been striking topwater plugs, such as the Zara Spook and Skitterwalk, well in the early morning hours. A live shrimp fished under a float is the top trout producer, and it will often draw bites from the trout when they turn up their noses at artificials.
Surf anglers are catching some trout around the rocks at Fort Fisher. Topwater plugs have been producing the best action with the trout.
Spanish mackerel are chasing bait in the inlets, along the beachfront, and even in the ICW. Trolled Clarkspoons, Gotcha plugs, Stingsilvers, or free-lined live baits should get attention from the spanish.
Boats had a tough time getting out over the past week due to all the wind. The tropical system that passed through the area stirred up the water and broke up the weed lines, and anglers sighted a grass patch with peanut dolphin on it and some flying fish in Snow’s Cut after the storm.
Frequently, hot fishing will follow the tropical weather. Anglers targeting king mackerel in the coming week should start their search around structure and bait in the 5-10 mile range.
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that flounder fishing has been excellent over the past few weeks. The bite has been hot at a wide variety of spots, including the Southport waterfront, the bays and grass islands in the river, Snow’s Cut, the ICW, and Carolina Beach Inlet.
Anglers landed several flatties in the 6-8 lb. range over the past week. Live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs are the best flounder baits.
Small sharks have inundated the nearshore reefs, making it difficult for anglers to keep a bait on the bottom long enough to find a flounder.
Chopper bluefish are still feeding in Snow’s Cut, and anglers drifting for flounder shouldn’t be surprised if they hook a 5-10 lb. blue.
Trout fishing is excellent in the Cape Fear River right now. Anglers are landing not only large numbers of the specks, but some large fish as well (4-6 lbs.). Float rigs baited with live mud minnows or shrimp are the top trout producers.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that offshore the bite has been good when the winds allow boats to get out and fish.
Red grouper and other bottom fish are feeding at ledges and other structure in the 35+ mile range. Cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits will tempt the grouper and other fish to bite.
Some gags are feeding at ledges closer to the beaches, and they will fall for the same baits.
King mackerel are feeding around structure from the beaches out to 40 miles offshore.
Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that the spot runs have begun. Anglers baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms are hooking up with the tasty panfish, along with some whiting, during the evening hours.
Those fishing live mud minnows and finger mullet on the bottom are hooking up with some flounder.
Early in the mornings, the spanish mackerel are feeding near the pier, and anglers are hooking them on Gotcha plugs and gold hook rigs.
Live baiters hooked 5 tarpon last week.
