Wrightsville Beach, July 28, 2005
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports nice kingfishing as close as the Masonboro sea buoy. They’re also on out to the nearshore live bottoms and artificial reefs on live baits or dead cigar minnows. Dolphin and sailfish have been taken as close as the 10 Mile Rock area, and the tower area has been good for kings as well as some African pompano. A good grouper bite has shown up around the 23 Mile Rock area.
Tarpon are along the beaches and cruising in and out of the inlets, while the best flounder bite has been in the inlets and the river. Red drum fishing has been consistent in the creeks along the intracoastal waterway on live baits and topwaters.
Rick, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports a decent spanish bite late in the afternoon, as well as some bluefish closer in to the suds. A king mackerel a little over 20 lbs. was landed, and an estimated 70 lb. tarpon was caught and released. Keeper sized flounder have finally showed up in good numbers, while bottom fishing is catching a few pompano, spots, and sea mullets.
Lloyd, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports good nearshore fishing for spanish mackerel and small kings. Just make sure your kings are 24 inches long because there are many undersized. Slow reports from further offshore, except for the bottom fishing for grouper, sea bass, and American reds in the 25+ mile range.
Tarpon are all along the beach, but very few have been landed. The lower river has been good for red drum and a few flounder.
Seth, at Intracoastal Angler, reports good summer fishing all around with redfish in the usual spots in the waterway and creeks. They’re eating live baits the best. Flounder action has shifted to the inlets and nearshore, and they are taking live bait or white flukes or bucktails.
A trip to the river is necessary for speckled trout. Try near the rock walls or the lower end. Ladyfish are under all the bridges and provide good topwater action under the lights. Sheepshead are around the bridges as well, but fiddlers or sand fleas are needed.
Offshore the kings are everywhere, and the dolphin have been reported best from 23 Mile Rock with an occasional sailfish nearshore. The stream has turned on for marlin but not much else.
