Wrightsville Beach July 21, 2005
Chris, at Tex’s Tackle, reports slot-sized red drum in the creeks and waterway, as well as small flounder. Ladyfish continue this week to hit topwaters and grubs at night. Nearshore the spanish and blues are consistent on deep divers and Clark spoons. Big live baits along the beach and inlets are catching some big king mackerel. Sailfishing was slow this weekend, but they should be moving nearshore. There were a couple of reports this week of sails just off the beach. Amberjacks are on the Schoolhouse, and kings and dolphin are scattered 10 to 30 miles off. Gulf stream is producing billfish with an occasional dolphin or wahoo. The dolphin, however, have been small this week.
Rick, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports a decent week for king mackerel fishing. Two teenage fish (13 and 14 lbs.) were landed, as well as some smaller fish. The catch of the week was a 36 lb. king that could have gone 45+ because 1/3 of him was missing thanks to a shark. Not too long afterwards an 80 lb. shark came over the rails. Spanish fishing has been slow, but there was a very nice 5 pounder landed. Bottom fishing produced a few spots, sea mullets, and keeper flounder.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports marlin, sailfish, and scattered dolphin and wahoo in the gulf stream. There have been reports of 100+ lb. yellowfin tuna being caught by kite fishing out in the stream. Closer to shore, the grouper bite is good 30 miles out, and the king mackerel bite has slowed a bit. More sailfish are showing up, and a few cobia are lingering around. Along the beach, the catches are small kings, spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Red drum fishing has been good in the waterway and creeks around Topsail Island.
