Wrightsville Beach – July 7, 2016
Matt, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that inshore fishing has been good for most anglers. The steady arrival of schools of finger mullet has slightly changed the pattern inshore. Flounder, red drum, and speckled trout are utilizing a variety of ambush points as they feed more actively on mullet. Structure and current breaks that can disorient the baitfish will hold all three.
Anglers have been having the most success on live bait, but topwater plugs early in the day have also been solid. Gulp and Z-Man scented soft plastics paired with a 1/4 oz. jighead is producing well for those opting to not fish live bait.
Red drum, black drum, and sheephead are being reported by anglers fishing around waterway docks. When fishing docks and deeper holes, try live or cut bait on a Carolina rig. To target the sheepshead, use fiddler crabs, barnacles, or shrimp for bait.
The flounder bite is strong at the ledges and wrecks just off the beach. Bucktail and Gulp combinations or live baits on Carolina rigs is proving successful for anglers.
Schools of pogies in the same area have been holding bluefish, spanish, and small kings on most days. Anglers have also reported blacktip and spinner sharks feeding around the bait.
Surf anglers are reporting good catches of bluefish and spanish mackerel, especially near the inlets. A few pompano, sea mullet, and croaker are being caught by anglers bottom fishing with shrimp, sandfleas, or Fishbites.
The spanish mackerel bite has been better closer to the beach, but recent rain will likely push the bulk of the fish a little further offshore. Troll #0 and #1 Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers or a 3-4 oz. trolling weight. Bird rigs, the Blue Water Candy Spanish Daisy, and the smaller sized (3-1/2″) Yo-Zuri Deep Divers are always a good choice for trolling. These fish can also be caught casting around the jetty and near the AR’s. Gotcha Jigfish lures and Hogy Epoxy jigs have been the most popular choices, especially in the 3/4-1.5 oz. sizes.
King mackerel fishing was good last week with the majority of the bite being reported in the 20 mile range. Larger fish have been reported closer to the beach over the past few days, and that bite should continue to improve.
Trolling for mahi continues to be best in the 20-25 mile range. Skirted ballyhoo, dead bait rigs, and plugs are all productive options. There has also been a couple sailfish sightings in this range as well. Anglers have been connecting with gag grouper and amberjack starting in the 15 mile range. Along with the gags, keeper sea bass are being reported in that range as well.
Further out, there have been scamp and large red grouper in the 120+’ range. Dead cigar minnows fished on Barefoot Crab Decoy jigs or the Blue Water Candy Roscoe jigs are fooling these fish. Putting a live cigar minnow on a light-line for mahi and kings is always a good idea when grouper fishing.
Gulf Stream fishing has slowed down for most anglers. Reports of mahi and blackfin tuna have been scattered with only the occasional wahoo reported. A few boats have been having success with the billfish, mostly consisting of blue marlin and sailfish. Trolling skirted ballyhoo with Jr Ilanders and Blue Water Candy Seawitches and Jags have been the most productive.
Mackenzie Cox, of Wilmington, with her first drum (measured at 26). She was fishing near Lee Island using a finger mullet on a jighead.
Jamie, of Seagate Charters, reports that red drum are on the feed along the ICW docks. Fish are eating both cut and live menhaden on Carolina rigs. Flounder are also being found along the same areas. The flatfish are moving from the ocean into the marsh, and the fishing is getting better by the day. They are eating live mullet and menhaden on both sides of the tide.
Larger than average speckled trout are being landed on Rapala Skitterwalks and X-Raps, and some of the trout have been citation-sized fish. Sunrise is when most of the large trout have been feeding, but anglers have had success in the late evening, too.
Anglers should also continue to look for cobia along the beach fronts, as there are large schools of menhaden keeping the fish around. Blue Water Candy cobia jigs cast around the bait has produced fish.
Rich Boughton (left) with a big red drum caught on a live pogie at the Masonboro jetties. He was fishing with Capt. Stu Caulder (right) of Gold Leader Guide Fishing.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that spanish mackerel have been biting well in the 40’ range. Most fish are falling for spoons and planers. Using #1 and #2 planers paired with silver or gold Clarkspoons are getting the best results.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing from 18-40 miles has been great. Gag grouper, grunts, pinkies, large sea bass, and beeliners are biting around structure in this range.
Lots of small kings are from just off the beach out to 25 miles. Gulf Stream fishing is good for small blackfin tuna and mahi. Sailfish and wahoo are offering a few shots for boaters making the trip out.
Wes, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that there has been lots of bait swimming by the pier. Subsequently there are good numbers of tarpon swimming with them, with an 86 lb. fish reportedly landed from a king rig. Two king mackerel have been decked along with some really nice-sized spanish.
There’s been a good sea mullet bite at night.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are being caught early in the day plugging off the end of the pier. Bottom fishermen are connecting with fair numbers of flounder, croaker, and pinfish.
