Wrightsville Beach August 5, 2004
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports that ocean conditions have prevented much offshore fishing, but things should turn on once the ocean calms. Nearshore the flounder bite continues on nearshore reefs, with smaller fish coming out of the inlets and creeks. Surf fishing has produced drum, whiting, and pompano on cut shrimp or sand fleas. Red drum and flounder are dominating the catches in the river.
Dickie, at Tidal Market II, reports flounder in the inlets and on the wrecks. The bigger fish are coming from off the beach. Drum are finally biting good around the docks in the ICW and the jetties, but very few sheepshead were caught this week. Spanish were biting regularly before the ocean was churned up. This was also true for the kings at the Dredge Wreck and 12 Mile Rock Area. There were no sails, but there were a few dolphin, wahoo, and blackfins around the Same Ole when conditions allowed a trip that far.
Larry, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports Virginia mullet up to 1.88 lbs. along with spots and croakers on cut shrimp. Robert Summer won the largest flounder of July with a 2.71 lb. flattie, and Linda Reffitt won the largest spot competition with a .53 lb. fish.
Tyler, at Intracoastal Angler, reports fishing has been slow due to the weather, but there are some nice sheepshead being caught along pilings. Spadefish are on the nearshore wrecks, as well as some ladyfish. The ladyfish are also being caught inshore at night around lighted docks. The drum bite has been very early and late in the day, most likely because of high water temperatures. No reports on the king mackerel or gulf stream fishing this week due to Tropical Storm Alex churning up the ocean.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports that there are big flounder off the beach at the artificial reefs. There have also been some big spanish hitting live mullets at the reefs. Expect to find a lot of 16 to 19 inch kings mixed in. Flounder, red drum, black drum, and sheepshead continue to bite in the river, but most of the drum action is occurring very early and in the evening. No reports from offshore this week, but the kings, dolphin, barracuda, and jacks should all be waiting when the seas calm.
