Wrightsville Beach July 19, 2007
Chris, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that flounder and red drum are feeding strong in area creeks. Gulp baits fished on jigheads and Carolina-rigged live baits will fool both the flounder and drum.
The flounder bite has also been fairly good on nearshore structure for the few boats targeting the flatties. The 5 mile area and wrecks inshore of there are producing the best flounder catches.
Speckled trout are feeding up north, around Topsail, and down south in the Cape Fear River.
Tarpon have begun feeding just off the beach, especially around the Masonboro Jetties. Live pogies should tempt these giant acrobats to strike.
Spanish mackerel have entered a typical mid-summer pattern, feeding very early in the day. Anglers who can find the fish around the crack of dawn should be able to land limits while trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers. Including a rigged ballyhoo in the spread will up the chances of a king strike while boats are spanish trolling.
Kings are feeding from the beach on out, with the bigger fish holding in the 20 mile zone. The 30/30 is holding some quality kings.
Some dolphin and sailfish are feeding alongside the kings 10 miles and further offshore. Live pogies and rigged ballyhoo will tempt strikes from the dolphin, kings, and sails.
Grouper fishing is still good for the boats making the trip. Some gags are holding on structure 15-18 miles offshore, but the reds and scamps are feeding further out (around 35+ miles).
Mike, of Corona Daze Charters, reports that inshore you can expect red drum and flounder to be on the feed in the area creeks. Many of the drum are slot-sized, but there are some larger fish (up to 34”) mixed in as well.
Carolina-rigged live baits will fool these fish, and anglers can also cast New Penny Gulp Shrimp with good results. The drum will also fall for topwater plugs, and the freshwater sized Spit ‘N’ Image has been a particularly good choice.
King mackerel are feeding around 10 miles offshore, and there are some bigger fish (in the 20-30 lb. class) mixed in with the snakes and teenagers.
Jim, of Plan 9 Fishing Charters, reports that kings are still feeding heavily from 5-15 miles off Wrightsville beach. Most of the fish are snakes and teenagers, and they’re attacking live pogy baits. Amberjacks and big barracuda (30-40 lbs.) are mixed in with the kings.
Some sailfish are still chasing bait 10+ miles off the beach. Live pogies and rigged ballyhoo are the top baits for the sails.
Dolphin fishing has slowed down.
The grouper bite is still good 35+ miles offshore for the boats willing to make the run.
At the nearshore structure, anglers bottom fishing with squid and Gulp baits are hooking up with sea bass and triggerfish.
Tarpon are holding just outside Masonboro Inlet.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been excellent in creek mouths off the main channels. Plenty of ladyfish are feeding in the same areas, too.
Brent, of Current Adventure Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite is still solid around 10 miles offshore. The kings are a variety of sizes, from snakes up to 30 pounders. A few dolphin are mixed with the kings, but they’ve thinned out some over the past couple weeks.
Live pogies are excellent baits, but boats trolling rigged squid, ballyhoo, and Drone Spoons can cover more water to find active fish.
Willie, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing with shrimp baits are catching black drum and other bottomfish.
A few flounder are hitting mud minnows fished near the pier’s pilings.
Plug casters are hooking up with spanish mackerel on Gotchas, and the morning high tides have been the best times to target them.
Anglers are seeing good numbers of sheepshead around the pilings, but no one has been fishing for them.
King mackerel bit well over the course of the week, and most that were landed were teenager sized.
The water temperature is 83 degrees.
