Wrightsville Beach – August 28, 2014
John Gavin, of Charlotte, NC, with a red drum that struck a chunk of mullet on a Carolina rig while he was kayak fishing near Mason’s Inlet.
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are still seeing some explosive red drum action throughout the area, with big numbers reported from Topsail to the Cape Fear River. They’ve been very receptive to topwater plugs recently, with Rapala Skitterwalks the most popular, and anglers are finding feeding reds in most of the bays and creeks off the ICW. Gulps and other soft baits, gold spoons, and a variety of other baits and lures will tempt bites from the reds when they turn down the topwaters.
Drum are also feeding in the inlets and around inshore structure like docks, where live and cut mullet and menhaden are better choices for those looking to hook up.
Flounder fishing remains good around Wrightsville (with few citation fish but solid numbers of 3-4 lb. fish). Anglers are finding the flatfish in the inlets and around inshore structure as well, along with plenty of action around nearshore structure in the 40-60’ depths in the ocean. Live finger mullet and menhaden are tough to beat for the flounder, but they’re also quite fond of Gulp baits, and a 2 oz. bucktail tipped with a Gulp is one of the best bets in the ocean.
Speckled trout are still feeding in the area, but the bite’s been a bit better near Topsail and Carolina Beach lately than around Wrightsville. Anglers are fooling the specks on topwater plugs, suspending lures like X-Raps, and a variety of soft plastic baits. They’ll also pounce on a Carolina-rigged finger mullet at times.
Spanish mackerel action has been solid off Wrightsville recently, and anglers are finding the fish from the mouth of Masonboro Inlet to spots in the 3-5 mile range. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and torpedo weights are accounting for most of the fish, but anglers who find schools feeding on the surface can work casting lures like Epoxy Jigs to hook up on light tackle.
There have been good reports of king mackerel action 5-10 miles offshore and fish scattered from there to the 100’ depths. Anglers are fooling the kings with live menhaden and dead baits like cigar minnows and ballyhoo.
Some dolphin are mixed in with the kings (more the further offshore that anglers get) and will eagerly attack the same baits.
Anglers making the run to the Gulf Stream are reporting more excellent wahoo action, and the Same Ol’ Hole produced some of the best fishing for local anglers last week. The ‘hoos are falling for traditional skirted ballyhoo spreads along with baitless high-speed lures.
Dreama Tapia, of Wilmington, with a pair of speckled trout that bit live finger mullet in a Masonboro Island creek.
Bottom fishermen are reporting a much-improved gag grouper bite around spots 20-30 miles out. The gags are falling for live, dead, and cut baits, which are also fooling plenty of smaller bottom feeders like black sea bass and white grunts.
Red and scamp grouper (along with beeliners, triggerfish, and other reef species) are looking for meals at structure 40-50 miles offshore, and they will respond to the same techniques.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some good gag grouper action while dropping rigs to bottom structure in 70-90’ of water. Cigar minnows and sardines are fooling most of the fish.
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel bite has been solid recently, and anglers are boxing up big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons with #1 and #2 planers.
Bottom fishing at spots within 5 miles of land is producing some action with gray trout and flounder.Jamie, of Seagate Charters, reports that anglers are still hooking some speckled trout on topwater plugs and suspending lures in the marshes and near the inlets.
Red drum are feeding around the inlets and at ICW docks, where anglers are fooling them on live and cut mullet.
The flounder bite has been solid inshore and in the ocean recently. Anglers are finding the fish in the inlets, around structure like docks, and at nearshore wrecks and reefs in the ocean. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are tough for the flatfish to turn down.
Spanish mackerel are feeding outside the inlets and along the beachfront, and anglers have been hooking plenty while trolling traditional Clarkspoon spreads and while casting metal jigs at schools of fish feeding on the surface.
Some king mackerel have also been cruising within a few miles of shore, where they’ll pounce on a live menhaden or bluefish.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some king mackerel action in the 10 mile range off Wrightsville this week. Live, dead, and strip baits will all fool the kings.
Jamie Smith, of Wilmington, with a 26.5″ red drum she hooked on a live mullet near a Figure Eight Island dock.
Bottom fishing 20-30 miles out is producing action with sea bass, grunts, porgies, and some gag grouper. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits will all fool the bottom dwellers.
Spanish mackerel are on the feed along the beachfront and attacking Clarkspoons trolled behind planers, torpedo weights, and bird teasers.
Ryan, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish in the morning hours while working Gotcha plugs.
Some sea mullet and red drum have been biting shrimp and cut baits on bottom rigs.
Anglers are hooking some flounder on small live baits fished under the pier.
One flounder fisherman also landed a 34 lb. jack crevalle last week.
Live baiters have had some action with barracuda.
