Carolina Beach – September 29, 2016
Wes, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that inshore anglers are connecting with red drum of all sizes, from under-slot fish to 40”+. Cut bait seems to be the best for hooking the fish, although live bait will work just as well.
The flounder bite has slowed, but there are still some keeper fish being caught, including a few citations mixed in.
The trout haven’t been around much lately, but those wishing to target the specks should use shrimp under a popping cork.
Surf anglers are starting to see whiting, pompano, and some over-slot reds. Bloodworms are a best seller for those targeting the panfish, and cut mullet works well for the red drum.
Just off the beach, there have been a few nice-sized kings, along with 1-2 lb. spanish and some false albacore. Throw Clarkspoons and artificials when you see birds working the surface to target these fish.
Offshore, the kings have come into the 10-12 mile range, and although they are still small, they are keeper-sized, with some larger fish mixed in.
In the 25 mile range, the bottom fishing bite is picking up, and large grouper are starting to move in.
Deanna Matthews, of Winnabow, with a 45″ red drum caught on a live pogie in the Cape Fear River.
Christian, of Seahawk Charters, reports that the big red drum are around the nearshore reefs, ARs, and wrecks. Target the fish with cut menhaden and mullet on a drum rig.
False albacore are within a mile of the beach. Pitch metal jigs with flash to hook them, with pink and green colors being the most effective.
Decent amounts of speckled trout are inshore, and anglers can find them during moving tides at creek mouths. Target the fish with Z-Man Trout Tricks in fried chicken color.
Redfish are inshore and schooled on the flats when conditions are right. Sight cast to the fish using artificials, such as Z-Man and Gulp. Those that want to fish live bait should target the fish on grass banks and shell points, and then work the deeper holes during low tide.
Ladyfish, jack crevelle, and blues are in the river mouths and inlets, with spanish mixed in. Metal jigs such as Shore Lure jigs and Stingsilvers will work to hook all these fish.
Trip Meine and his son Brooks, of Wilmington, with mahi and a 20 lb. blackfin tuna all caught using Blue Water Candy skirts/ballyhoo combos. They were fishing from 18-21 miles off Masonboro Inlet with Capt. Rod Bierstedt of OnMyWay Charters.
Luke, of TopWater Guide Co., reports that the speckled trout bite is picking up, and the go-to bait has been Down South lures and soft plastics fished on a 1/8 oz. jig head. The trout are sizing up nicely, with the average being 16-19”. MirrOlures are also working on the fish, and the colors for both the hard lures and soft plastics should be green, yellow, or brown.
Drum fishing is starting to pack up in schools a little better, out in the ocean and in the shallows and flats as well. Throw spoons to the drum, and adding Pro-Cure bait scent in shrimp flavor will only help the bite. When the redfish bite slows, float live mullet or shrimp under a float rig. The drum are ranging in size from 14-30”, though the average fish is mid to upper-slot.
The flounder bite has been inconsistent, but every now and again a flatfish will take the live bait for a drum. Although there is no pattern to the fish, the ones caught have been upwards of 3 lbs.
Those looking for a fight should seek out birds working the surface off the beach, as there is no shortage of false albacore. Throw Shore Lure jigs into the schools to hook up, and anglers may find a stray spanish or two as well, ranging from 15-23”.
Rod, of OnMyWay Charters, reports that there is a really good king bite on the beach, and although the bite has been inconsistent, there have been some larger fish in the mix.
Mahi are biting out in the 20-25 mile range, along with kings.
Blackfin tuna are also mixed in in the same areas, with 20 lb. class fish recently reported.
The Gulf Stream bite has been strong for those looking to target wahoo and sailfish, and bottom fishing 18-40 miles out has yielded black sea bass, snapper, and grouper.
Anthony, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that there has been a nice run of spanish off the end of the pier, along with anglers decking several kings in the 20 lb. range. Anglers are also connecting with bluefish, croaker, and assorted bottom fish.
Bobby, of Carolina Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with bluefish in the morning, and there has been a strong run of king mackerel over the past week. Anglers have also landed several red drum.
Virginia mullet are the most common panfish, but sporadic runs of spots have just started.
