Wrightsville Beach June 10, 2010
Capt. Mike Jackson, of Live Line Charters, and Brandon Cartrette, from Leland, NC, with a white marlin they hooked on a trolling lure on the short flatline in 230' of water north of the Same Ol' Hole. The fish was released immediately after the photograph.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that there’s some solid red drum, flounder, and speckled trout fishing inshore right now, with particularly good action around the inlets. Live baits on Carolina rigs are fooling all three fish, and the drum are also taking an interest in topwater plugs.
There are plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish still feeding along the beaches, and anglers can hook up with them while trolling Clarkspoons and diving lures or by casting small metal lures at schools of fish feeding on the surface.
Some cobia are still working their way along the beaches, too, and anglers hooked a few last week while slow-trolling live baits within a few miles of shore.
The best king mackerel action has been in the 10-20 mile range lately, and slow-trolling live pogies has been the most consistent way to hook up, though cigar minnows on dead bait rigs will also produce bites.
Dolphin are mixed in with the kings, particularly toward the offshore end of their range, and anglers should see the nearshore dolphin fishing improve over the next few weeks.
High relief structure in the 20 mile range and further offshore is loaded with amberjacks. They’ll take an interest in live baits, vertical jigs, and (on occasion) topwater lures.
The grouper bite has been decent in the 35-45 mile range lately, with the best action to the south. Both vertical jigging and bait fishing with cigar minnows, sardines, and more will attract attention from the groupers.
Gulf Stream trolling is still producing plenty of action with dolphin, with a handful of blackfin tuna mixed in. Some billfish (primarily sailfish and white marlin) are feeding in the same areas. Both ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures and baitless lures have been producing results on the blue water fish.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that the red drum bite has been on in the Wrightsville-area creeks lately. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and other lures will tempt bites from the reds.
The flounder bite has been excellent in the creeks lately as well, with most of the fish coming from deeper holes and dock areas. Anglers are also hooking up with good numbers of flatfish around the Masonboro jetties, and the fish should be feeding on the nearshore reefs as well.
Jason Brockus caught this 60.3 lb. dolphin in 120 fathoms of water offshore of the Same Ol' Hole. The fish fell for an Eye Catcher mini-agitator atop a ballyhoo while Brockus was fishing with Capt. Tim Day on the "Fishin Days."
There are plenty of king mackerel feeding in the 10 mile range, and they’ll fall for live or dead baits. Some smaller dolphin are mixed in around spots like the Dredge Wreck.
The grouper bite has also been good, primarily 20-40 miles out. Live and dead baits or vertical jigs will attract attention from the groupers.
The dolphin bite is still on fire in the Gulf Stream, though the fish are getting a bit smaller. Trolling skirted ballyhoo is the way to find the fish.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that the dolphin bite is still going strong in the Gulf Stream, where anglers are hooking up with good numbers of fish while trolling skirted ballyhoo.
The king mackerel action has been solid for both live and dead baiters in the 10 mile areas.
Anglers are starting to pick up some gag grouper around structure in as little as 60’ of water. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will get their attention.
The spanish mackerel bite is happening between the beaches and the 10 mile areas, depending on the day.
Jim, of Plan 9 Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel action is improving, and anglers are finding the fish within a few miles of shore while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures.
Some king mackerel are in the same areas, but anglers are finding better king action around 10 miles off while trolling cigar minnows on dead bait rigs. A few dolphin are in the mix around 10 miles as well.
Holly Keegan and Summer Feimster, from Wilmington, with a pair of king mackerel they hooked 10 miles off Wrightsville Beach on live pogies while fishing with Zack Watters and Kris Rabon on the "Tread-N-Watters."
Rick, of Rod-Man Charters, reports that the flounder and red drum bite is on inshore around docks, creek mouths, and the inlets. Live peanut pogies have been the most effective baits lately.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding along the beachfront and will take an interest in Gotcha plugs or other metal lures that anglers can cast.
There are still some cobia around the inlet and nearshore. Live baits or lures like bucktail jigs will attract their attention.
Danny, of 96 Charter Company, reports that the Cape Fear River is full of bait, including pogies in a variety of sizes.
Consequently, there’s been good action with flounder and speckled trout in the river recently.
Rob, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that live baiters caught a cobia last week and saw several others.
The chopper bluefish are still around and falling for live baits, Gotcha plugs, and more.
There are also good numbers of spanish mackerel in the area, but they’ve been reluctant to bite lately. Working Gotcha plugs slowly has been the best way to get bites.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pier pilings, and they will bite sand fleas, barnacles, and other crustacean baits.
Bottom fishermen have been decking a few whiting and black drum.
