Wrightsville Beach June 28, 2012
Joey DiCara, of NY, with a pair of flounder he hooked at some nearshore structure off Wrightsville Beach while he was fishing with Capt. Rick Croson of Living Waters Guide Service.
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the red drum bite has been decent all over the area, with fish coming from the inlets, surf, docks, flats, and creeks. Early and late in the day have been producing the best action. Gulp baits and live baits are tempting most of the bites from the reds, but anglers are also hooking up on topwater plugs in the creeks and flats.
Flounder action has been good in deeper holes inshore, around docks, and in the inlets. Gulp baits and live baits are both tempting bites from the flatties.
Surf casters are connecting with some sea mullet and pompano, along with decent numbers of upper and over-slot red drum. Shrimp, sand fleas, and cut baits are attracting attention in the surf zone.
Some ladyfish, bluefish, and spanish mackerel are biting metal lures that anglers are working from the beaches in the early mornings.
More spanish are feeding just off the beaches, where boaters are hooking them while trolling #00 Clarkspoons and daisy chains or casting small metal jigs at fish feeding on the surface.
Some king mackerel have moved into the 10 mile range (with fish to 15 lbs.). Live baits and dead cigar minnows will both tempt bites from the kings.
Anglers are starting to find steadier dolphin action around 20 miles out, but huge amounts of scattered grass have made trolling tough. Live and dead baits will also attract attention from the ‘phins.
Cobia are being reported from the beach out to spots in the 20 mile range. Live baits and bucktail jigs with soft plastic trailers will tempt bites from the cobia.
Amberjacks are holding around the wrecks and AR’s into the 10 mile range. Live menhaden and topwater plugs (occasionally) will tempt bites from the AJ’s.
Bottom fishing has been producing plenty of action with gag grouper and black sea bass at ledges in 75-95’ of water. Red and scamp groupers are feeding at bottom structure in the 40 mile range, along with plenty of triggerfish and beeliners. Squid, cigar minnows, cut and live baits, and vertical jigs will all tempt bites from the bottom dwellers.
Gulf Stream trollers are still connecting with good numbers of gaffer dolphin. Sailfish and white marlin, along with a few wahoo, are mixed in with the ‘phins, and blue marlin are feeding out deeper along the 100 fathom line, especially a bit to the north. Skirted ballyhoo are producing most of the action in the Stream, with larger skirted plugs drawing strikes from the blues.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that Gulf Stream trollers are finding action with blue and white marlin and sailfish while dragging skirted and naked ballyhoo and trolling plugs in the blue water.
Dolphin are still feeding in the Stream, and anglers have reported catches inshore to 23 Mile Rock over the past week. Dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows under bright skirts are top choices for the dolphin.
King mackerel are feeding around Frying Pan Tower and at other offshore spots in the area. Live menhaden or live and dead cigar minnows will attract attention from the kings.
Bottom fishermen have been reporting plenty of gag grouper action at spots 15-30 miles off the beach, with most falling for live baits and dead cigar minnows.
Steve White, of Wilmington, with a scamp grouper that bit a cigar minnow in 80' of water near Frying Pan Tower while he was fishing with David Chang on the "N 2 Deep."
Some cobia have been scattered from the inlet to near and offshore structure. Live baits or bucktail jigs will attract attention from the cobes.
Boaters have also spotted some tarpon schools moving along the beachfront.
Inshore, the flounder bite is still solid in the inlets and around structure. Gulp baits and live baits are the ways to go for the flatfish.
red and black drum are both feeding around docks in the area. Fresh shrimp, live baits, and Gulps will all attract their attention.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that there’s been a solid flounder bite around structure within 10 miles of the beaches. Bucktails tipped with Gulp baits are producing most of the action. Some black sea bass are mixed in and also taking an interest in the bucktails.
Amberjacks have moved into structure in the 10 mile range and will pounce on live baits.
Gulf Stream trollers have been finding fast action with dolphin along with some wahoo and blackfin tuna at weedlines offshore of the break. Some billfish are mixed in. All will take an interest in skirted ballyhoo or baitless trolling lures.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the gag grouper and black sea bass bite is on at bottom structure in 70-90’ of water. Most of the fish are taking an interest in dead cigar minnows and sardines.
Dolphin and king mackerel have moved into the 10-20 mile range, where dead cigar minnows or ballyhoo under skirts will tempt bites from both.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that spanish mackerel action is still hot and heavy just off Masonboro Inlet. The fish have been moving around by the day, so anglers may need to do some searching to find the schools. Once they do, though, circling the area has been producing fast limits. Small white terns and bait on the surface or on the depthfinder offer clues as the where the spanish will be feeding.
Clarkspoons trolled behind planers are the way to go for the tasty mackerel.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier early and late in the day.
Some sea mullet and bluefish are falling for cut baits on bottom rigs at night.
The water is 80 degrees.
