Wrightsville Beach August 18, 2011
Capt. Scott Collins, of SeaTow Wrightsville Beach, with a fat red drum that attacked a piece of watermelon-flavor Bubble Yum while he was fishing/working in Shinn Creek.
Chandler, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that there’s been a solid red drum and flounder bite both inshore and nearshore lately. Anglers are hooking the fish in the creeks, marshes, around inshore structure, in the inlets, and out at the nearshore wrecks and live bottoms. Live baits and Gulps will fool both the reds and flatfish.
The spanish mackerel action has been hot between Masonboro Inlet and about a mile offshore (with fish running a little larger than usual). Trolling Clarkspoons and squid rigs or casting metal jigs like Shore Lures at schools of fish feeding on the surface will put the spaniards in the boat.
The sailfish bite remains hot at 23 Mile Rock and other structure in the same range. Anglers are hooking up with the little billfish while trolling small ballyhoo behind dredge and daisy chain teasers.
Dolphin are feeding alongside the sailfish and on out to the Gulf Stream (with some larger fish showing back up). They’ll also bite trolled ballyhoo.
Out along the break the wahoo bite is turning on. The wahoo will take an interest in skirted ballyhoo or baitless trolling lures that anglers can pull a little faster.
Bottom fishermen are reporting solid action with gag grouper and black sea bass at spots in the 15-25 mile range. Red and scamp grouper and other bottom dwellers are feeding out a bit further. Live baits and vertical jigs are the way to go for the larger groupers, and anglers can hook the smaller fish on cut baits or squid.
Steve, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers are still seeing and hooking big numbers of sailfish around 23 Mile Rock. Trolling around bait concentrations in that vicinity with dredge teasers and naked ballyhoo is the best way to connect with the sailfish.
Some dolphin are in the same areas and also taking an interest in the ballyhoo.
Grouper are feeding around offshore bottom structure, with the best action lately 30-40 miles out. Live baits and vertical jigs will both tempt bites from the grouper.
Closer to the beaches, anglers are hooking flounder and red drum at nearshore wrecks and reefs. They’re both taking an interest in live baits on Carolina rigs.
Hunter Rahe hooked this 6.83 lb. flounder on a bucktail/Gulp combo off a Wrightsville-area ICW dock.
The flatfish and reds are also feeding in the area inlets and around inshore structure, where live baits and Gulps will get their attention.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing remains hot around structure in the 40 mile range. Anglers are connecting with gag, red, and scamp grouper out there along with plenty of smaller bottom feeders like triggerfish, sea bass, grunts, and more. Live and cut baits are top choices for the grouper, and squid or smaller cut baits will fool the other bottomfish.
Gag grouper, grunts, and sea bass are also feeding around structure in the 20 mile range, and anglers pulled a good number of keepers from that area last week.
Trolling has been decent from 20-40 miles out, producing good numbers of sailfish releases and dolphin catches (with some gaffers). Live menhaden and dead squid and ballyhoo are all producing results on the sails and ‘phins.
There’s been fast action with amberjacks for anglers dropping vertical jigs and live baits around high-relief structure like AR-366 and 368.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports a good ocean flounder bite at structure within five miles of the beaches. Live baits and Gulp-tipped bucktails are tempting bites from the flatties.
Bottom fishing around structure in the 10-15 mile area has been producing plenty of action with grunts, black sea bass, and a few gag grouper. Cut baits, cigar minnows, and squid will tempt bites from all the bottomfish.
Spanish mackerel trolling remains excellent (with zero throwbacks lately). The bite’s been best a bit off the beach in 35-40’ of water.
Rick, of Rod-Man Charters, reports that the flounder and red drum fishing remains solid in the inlets and around inshore structure like docks. The water temperature has fallen a few degrees and that seems to have the fish feeding a bit harder. Live finger mullet and menhaden will both tempt bites from the reds.
Spanish mackerel are on the feed just off Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro. Trolled Clarkspoons are tough to beat for putting the spanish in the boat.
Tim, of Fishin’ Days Sportfishing, reports that anglers are still seeing plenty of sailfish action, both in the 20 mile range out of Wrightsville and while trolling the Gulf Stream. Some dolphin are mixed in in both areas (with larger fish out towards the Stream). A spread of teasers like dredges and naked ballyhoo hook baits will fool both.
Bottom fishing from 20-40 miles out is producing some solid catches of black sea bass and other bottom feeders, as well as some good grouper action.
Danielle Bourgeois with her first red drum, a 28" fish that bit a live finger mullet at some structure a mile off Wrightsville Beach while she was fishing with Tony Del.
Mike, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that red drum and flounder are taking an interest in live baits fished on the bottom near the pier.
Anglers are hooking some sea mullet at night on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Plug casters are picking up some small bluefish and an occasional spanish mackerel.
The water is 84 degrees.
