Wrightsville Beach August 4, 2011
Jeff Arita, of Belville, NC, with a 7 lb. flounder that struck a Gulp minnow on a weedless jighead at a Cape Fear River creekmouth while he was fishing with Bob Rainey.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the sailfish bite has been excellent off the area over the past week, with solid numbers of sightings and hookups in the 10-25 mile range out of Wrightsville. They’re taking an interest in live baits and rigged ballyhoo.
Some small dolphin are in the same areas.
King mackerel fishing has picked up a bit, but it’s still a little off from usual for this time of year. The fish have been scattered from the beaches on out to offshore structure, and live baits like menhaden offer anglers the best odds of hooking up.
Amberjacks are feeding around the Schoolhouse and other high-relief structure in the 20+ mile range. Live baits, vertical jigs, and topwater poppers will get their attention.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some decent catches of grouper at structure in the 90-110’ range. Live and dead baits or vertical jigs will fool the grouper.
Some large (4-6+ lbs.) spanish mackerel have been feeding along the beaches and at nearshore structure, and small live menhaden are the way to go for the larger fish.
Smaller spanish are also on the feed in the same areas, and they will bite trolled Clarkspoons or squid rigs. Anglers can also cast Shore Lures or other small metal jigs at fish feeding on the surface.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs and live bottoms within a few miles of the beaches. Live baits or bucktail/Gulp combos will tempt bites from the flatfish.
The flounder bite is also on in the inlets, and Gulps or live baits will fool them.
The red drum bite has been solid in the surf off Wrightsville, and sand fleas, finger mullet, or cut baits will tempt bites from the reds.
Steve, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that the flounder bite is still solid around inshore structure, with especially good reports from Snow’s Cut lately. Live finger mullet or scented soft baits like Gulps are fooling the flatfish.
Red drum are schooling in the bays, creeks, and backwaters. The action’s been particularly good around oyster rocks, and topwater plugs or soft plastics will tempt them to bite.
Dre Fleury, of Charlotte, with a king mackerel that fell for a skirted ballyhoo 5 miles southwest of WR2 while he was fishing with Bob Fleury on the "Sea-Chosis."
Spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlets and along the beaches. Trolled Clarkspoons are producing big catches of the spaniards, but anglers can hook larger fish on small live menhaden.
Tarpon are also feeding along the beaches. Live and dead baits will tempt bites from the tarpon when they’re in a feeding mood.
Excellent numbers of sailfish have been reported lately 15-30 miles out. Boats are hooking them while slow-trolling live baits and while pulling teasers and small rigged ballyhoo.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing has been excellent around offshore structure in 100-140’ of water lately. Large scamp grouper (to nearly 20 lbs.), reds, and gags (to 31 lbs.) have been the big rewards, but anglers are also picking up big numbers of beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, and other bottom dwellers. Live baits are fooling the grouper, with squid and cut baits tempting bites from the smaller fish.
There’s been solid action with large amberjacks in around 300’ along the break lately. Live baits have been more effective than vertical jigs with the big AJ’s.
Trolling in the same areas has been producing some dolphin (to 20 lbs.) and a few sailfish encounters.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is still excellent off Wrightsville, particularly early in the mornings. Trolled Clarkspoons are producing results with the spanish.
Big sharks are feeding behind shrimp boats in the same areas and will readily bite cut baits.
Bottom fishing in the 10-15 mile range is producing some good catches of black sea bass and an occasional gag grouper.
Sailfish and some small dolphin are in the same range and feeding on top.
Rick, of Rod-Man Charters, reports that there have been plenty of sailfish and a few dolphin feeding in the 20-25 mile range off Wrightsville Beach lately. Live baits or rigged ballyhoo will tempt them to bite.
Spanish mackerel fishing just outside the inlets and off the beaches is the best it’s been all year. Anglers can hook up with the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons or casting Maria jigs and other small, shiny lures to fish feeding on the surface.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite is still solid in the inlets and creeks, with a few fish coming from ICW structure like docks. Live finger mullet or menhaden are tough for the flounder and reds to pass up.
Michael Goins with an 8.5 lb. sheepshead that fell for a live fiddler crab while he was fishing the ICW near Masonboro Inlet.
Justin, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the planks in the mornings and evenings.
Live-baiters are connecting with some barracuda and tarpon from the end of the pier.
Decent numbers of red drum are falling for shrimp, sand fleas, and live baits just behind the breakers.
The flounder bite has been decent for anglers soaking live mud minnows and finger mullet around the pilings.
Some spot and sea mullet are biting bottom rigs at night.
The water is 84 degrees.
