Wrightsville Beach July 27, 2006
Chris, at Tex’s Tackle, reports fishing picking up nearshore when the wind allows a trip. Sailfish have moved into the 10-15 mile range, with some coming from 23 Mile Rock as well.
Kings are finally moving closer to shore, and dolphin are scattered from 10-30 miles out. Spanish are being caught along the inlet tide lines but not in big numbers. They are still being caught further offshore on the artificial reefs.
Gulf stream has been good for big dolphin, the occasional wahoo, and a few billfish.
Inshore, the mullet continue to run the grass lines with redfish not far behind. They are also being caught in the inlets and in the waterway around docks.
Flounder are still hit or miss, but more of the fish being caught now are keepers.
Sheepshead are biting well around bridges and dock pilings on fiddler crabs.
And ladyfish are showing at night around bridges or docks with good lighting.
Jot, at Fortune Hunter Charters, reports redfish are biting well on topwaters and live baits in the waterway and creeks.
Flounder are still picky and have been on and off.
The sheepshead bite has been very good on fiddler crabs, with a few black drum mixed in.
Ladyfish have moved in and are hitting jigs and topwaters.
Along the beach there are tarpon to be caught. There are also a few cobia still around.
Sharks have been plentiful, with good catches of blacktips and bull sharks in the 30-100 pound class.
Jim, at Plan 9 Charters, reports that inshore fishing has been the normal summer pattern this week.
Redfish and flounder are biting live baits around docks in the creeks and waterway.
Sheepshead are around hitting shrimp or fiddler crabs.
King mackerel are still consistent around the School House.
Grouper are biting very well in the 30 mile areas.
And sailfish are moving closer and should be as close as the 10-15 mile areas.
Willy, at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports large whiting up to 1.5 lbs. biting shrimp and cut bait on the bottom. Several over-the-slot red drum have been tagged and released in the afternoons. Most of the drum have fallen for finger mullet.
Fiddler crabs are producing a few sheepshead for anglers fishing close to the pilings.
Spanish mackerel are biting plugs throughout the day, as are some bluefish later in the day.
Some kings up to 13 lbs. have come over the rails this week, and there are still a number of barracuda around.
The water temperature is 82 degrees.
