Added on Thursday, April 9, 2009  Fish Post

Wrightsville Beach April 9, 2009

Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore fishing is finally picking up. Surf and pier anglers are catching some bluefish, whiting, and black drum. Fresh shrimp are top baits for the whiting and drum.

Some reds and trout are also biting in the surf of Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island. Gulp baits and Mirrolures are the go-to lures to fool the reds and trout.

Some reds and trout are also holding around structure in the ICW and the deeper adjacent creeks, where Gulp baits should also produce action. It won’t be long before warmer water temperatures kick off the topwater bite for the reds and specks.

Anglers are still waiting with baited breath for the Atlantic bonito to make a showing at nearshore structure like the Liberty Ship, and it shouldn’t be long before they appear.

Casting lures like Maria Jigs will produce strikes from the bonito, and anglers can also search for the fish by trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers.

Anglers are reporting false albacore from 10 miles out to the Schoolhouse, so the bonito shouldn’t be far behind them.

Bottom fishing at structure 18-30 miles out has been producing some good sea bass action, and anglers can either fish for them by jigging or with bottom rigs baited with squid.

Further out, the red grouper bite has been decent for anglers bottom bouncing at structure 40-50 miles off the beaches. Cigar minnows and live and cut baits will produce action on the grouper, and they’re also highly susceptible to a vertically presented jig. There have also been a lot of lionfish coming up in the 40-50 mile areas, and anglers should be careful not to touch the red and white striped fish, as their spines are very dangerous.

Jiggers fishing the break have enjoyed excellent success lately, catching red and gag grouper, cobia, king mackerel, African pompano, and a variety of other species.

Gulf Stream trollers have been catching decent numbers of wahoo, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel right along the break, with dolphin (some gaffers) mixed in intermittently.

A few yellowfin tuna have been reported further north towards the Big Rock. Ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action with the blue water predators.

 

Stu, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that Gulf Stream trollers landed decent numbers of wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a few dolphin last week. The best bite was north of the Same Ole right on the break in 150-200′, and skirted ballyhoo are the top trolling baits.

Just inshore of the break, vertical jiggers have been catching good numbers of big grouper (20-30+ lbs.), mostly gags and reds. Amberjacks and other species are also taking an interest in the jigs and producing plenty of action.

The king mackerel have moved into the 25-30 mile areas, although it’s been mostly commercial boats targeting them. Trolling dead cigar minnows should make short work of the kings if anglers can find where they’re schooled up.

Inshore, anglers have caught a handful of speckled trout around the Masonboro jetties over the past few weeks, mostly on Gulp baits and Billy Bay shrimp.

Red drum are feeding on the flats behind Topsail and Figure 8, and they’re also falling for Gulps and Billy Bays, although it shouldn’t be long before they take an interest in topwaters.

 

Jim, of Plan 9 Fishing Charters, reports that the Atlantic bonito haven’t shown up yet, but they should be here in a very short time. Trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers while keeping an eye out for surface feeding activity around nearshore structure like the Liberty Ship and Diver’s Rock is the way to find the bonito.

There are some false albacore feeding in the 5-15 mile range, and they’ll take an interest in the same lures as the bonito.

Jigging the bottom in the same areas is producing action with some small gag grouper and sea bass.

The Gulf Stream bite has been good lately, with catches of wahoo, blackfin tuna, small dolphin, and a very few yellowfins.

 

Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that the striped bass are still feeding in the river. The high winds lately have made it a little difficult to position the boat for casting to the fish, so most have been coming on trolled crankbaits.

 

Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that vertical jigging right on the break has been phenomenal over the past few weeks. Areas of live bottom in 150’+ have been producing the most action. Jigging near the bottom structure is producing strikes from red, gag (some to 40 lbs. lately), and scamp groupers, along with some cobia and African pompano. Working the jigs up through the water column is attracting attention from more African pompano, amberjacks, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.

 

Rob, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that the bluefish are starting to bite Gotcha plugs very well (and it’s a decent class of fish-averaging 2-3 lbs.).

Bottom fishermen are hooking up with some whiting on fresh shrimp, along with plenty of sharks, skates, and rays.

The water is 61.7 degrees.