Wrightsville Beach August 9, 2007
Chris, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore the flounder fishing remains solid in the inlets and creeks. Live finger mullet or peanut pogies fished on Carolina rigs should produce plenty of strikes from the flatfish.
Red drum are looking for meals throughout area creeks and around ICW structure such as docks and oyster bars. They’ll fall for Carolina-rigged live baits or Gulp baits fished on jigheads.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beaches, but anglers who want to hook up with them must fish very early or very late in the day. Trolled Clarkspoons and diving plugs will draw spanish bites, and anglers can target the largest fish by fishing small live baits.
Tarpon are still rolling and feeding along the beach and near the inlets. They’ll take an interest in live pogies fished both on top and deep, as well as dead and cut baits fished on the bottom.
Most of the king mackerel have left the beach and are feeding 10-20 miles offshore. Live baits are the top king producers, especially for the largest fish.
There are still some dolphin around, and most are feeding 10+ miles offshore. Live baits, cigar minnows, and rigged ballyhoo should produce action with the dolphin.
Some sailfish are feeding in the same areas as the kings and dolphin.
Bottom fishing remains good. Gag grouper are holding on structure 15-20 miles from the beach, but the main body of reds and scamps is out in the 30+ mile areas.
The Gulf Stream is still producing a few wahoo, but overall the action isn’t spectacular.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that king mackerel are making up the bulk of the action right now. The best fishing is still centered on bottom structure 10 miles or so offshore, and live baits (such as pogies, cigar minnows, or sardines) are keys to success with the kings. Most of the fish are teenager-sized, but there are a few larger kings (up to 30 lbs.) feeding in the same areas.
Good numbers of sailfish are still feeding in the same areas as the kings. They’ll show an interest in the same live baits, and anglers can also troll rigged ballyhoo at higher speeds to cover more water.
The dolphin bite has moved back to the 20 mile and further spots. WR4 is a good place to start looking for dolphin now.
Grouper fishing is still solid when boats can make it out. The best action has been 35+ miles off the beach.
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that some kings are still feeding near the beach. The area around the inlets out to a few miles offshore has been a productive place to look for them this past week.
The larger (20+ lb.) tournament money kings are feeding further offshore, from 10-15 miles on out. Live pogies are the top baits for the kings, whether nearshore or offshore.
Inshore, good numbers of red drum are on the feed in Rich’s Inlet. Gulp baits fished on jigheads are drawing most of the drum strikes.
Flounder are also feeding around Rich’s, and will fall for Gulps or live baits.
Speckled trout are beginning to make an appearance in the channels, and it won’t be long before they become more abundant.
Willie, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers fishing with live mud minnows are landing a good number of keeper flounder (from 1.5-3 lbs.).
Some slot sized red drum are also taking an interest in mud minnows fished near the bottom.
Some spadefish are biting cut shrimp fished on two-hook bottom rigs during the daytime. At night, shrimp-baited bottom rigs are drawing strikes from whiting.
Spanish mackerel are around, and most are falling for live baits instead of Gotchas.
Several king mackerel have been caught over the course of the week.
The water temperature is 84 degrees.
