Wrightsville Beach August 29, 2013
Jason and Brayden Crowder with Brayden’s first citation wahoo, a 40 lb. fish that bit a high-speed lure near the Nipple in 165′ of water while they were trolling off Wrightsville Beach.
Chandler, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers are still finding some solid flounder action inshore around Wrightsville. They’re feeding in the inlets, around docks and other inshore structure, and in the marshes. Anglers can tempt the flatfish to bite live baits like finger mullet and menhaden, or Gulps and other soft plastic baits.
Red drum are in many of the same areas as the flounder, and they are also feeding in the surf and back in the creeks. They’ll bite the same baits as the flounder or topwater plugs, spoons, and a variety of other artificials.
The speckled trout bite has slowed a bit, but anglers are still finding some hungry trout near the inlets and in the backwaters. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits are all effective on the specks.
Sheepshead are feeding around bridge and dock pilings and other hard structure inshore. Dangling fiddler crabs or sand fleas close to their homes is the way to hook the sheepshead, and they will also fool an occasional black drum.
Surf casters at Wrightsville are connecting with some red drum, flounder, and an occasional pompano while baiting up with finger mullet and shrimp.
Spanish mackerel action has been solid off Masonboro Inlet whenever there’s reasonably clean water in the area. Most are falling for trolled Clarkspoons, but anglers are also finding schools feeding on the surface to cast metal jigs to.
A few king mackerel have been caught along the beachfront recently, but the most consistent action has been in the 5-10 mile range and further offshore. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will both fool the kings.
Bottom fishermen are reporting steady action with gag grouper and black sea bass at structure in the 15-25 mile range, with red and scamp groupers and a variety of other bottom dwellers feeding a bit further offshore. Squid, cigar minnows, and mackerel (as well as live, dead, and cut baits) are all effective on the bottomfish.
Harrison Hall with a 33 lb. king mackerel that bit a live bait off the end of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier.
Boats that’ve made the run to the Gulf Stream recently are reporting excellent wahoo action at local spots like the Steeples and Same Ol’ Hole. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action with the ‘hoos, but anglers are hooking a few while trolling high-speed lures as well.
A few sailfish and white marlin are also feeding out in the ‘Stream and taking an interest in ballyhoo as well.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that there’s still some solid king mackerel action going on at spots in 60-80’ of water off Wrightsville Beach (with some 20-30 lb. fish around). Most of the kings are taking an interest in live menhaden.
Bottom fishing at ledges and other structure in that range has produced some gag grouper action recently, along with plenty of grunts, black sea bass, and other bottom feeders. Live baits, cigar minnows, and squid are all attracting attention from the grouper and smaller fish.
Gulf Stream trolling is producing some wahoo and skipjack and blackfin tuna, primarily on skirted ballyhoo.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that anglers are hooking king mackerel and amberjacks while trolling dead cigar minnows, spoons, and ballyhoo at spots in the 20 mile range.
Bottom fishing in the same areas is producing gag grouper, grunts, red porgies, black sea bass, and more. Squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits are all tempting bites from the bottom fish.
There’s been some excellent spanish mackerel action (and some big fish) going on in around 50’ of water off Wrightsville recently. Most are falling for Clarkspoons dragged behind planers and trolling weights.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been solid lately off Wrightsville, with most fish falling for trolled Clarkspoons. Good numbers of false albacore are mixed in and also biting the spoons.
Michael Black with a gaffer dolphin he landed on spinning gear after it struck a skirted ballyhoo near 23 Mile Rock. He was on an 8th birthday offshore trip with his father and Chris Brock on the “Singlefin.”
Dropping bucktail jigs and live baits to nearshore structure like the Liberty Ship is tempting bites from some fat flounder and gray trout.
There’s also been good flounder and gray trout action inshore near the inlets, where live finger mullet are getting plenty of attention.
Jamie, of Seagate Charters, reports that anglers had some fantastic sight-casting opportunities with large spanish mackerel in around 50’ of water off Masonboro Inlet last week. Small metal jigs are tempting bites from the spaniards.
Flounder fishing has also been solid around nearshore structure like the Liberty Ship. Live finger mullet on heavy Carolina rigs are fooling most of the flatfish in the ocean.
Inshore, anglers are connecting with red drum around the inlets and at ICW structure like docks. Live and cut baits have been fooling the reds.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that a 33.3 lb. king mackerel was landed from the pier after it bit a live bait last week.
Anglers are hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel (some 3-5 lbs.) on smaller live baits and Gotcha plugs.
A few flounder are falling for small live baits under the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pilings and biting sand fleas and fiddler crabs.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some spot and sea mullet at night on shrimp and bloodworms.
