Wrightsville Beach June 7, 2012
Dan Pedroni and Tim Moss with a bull dolphin that bit a skirted ballyhoo near the Swansboro Hole while they were fishing out of Masonboro Inlet aboard the "Wide Open."
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that local boats found a solid marlin bite while trolling the Gulf Stream last week, with several getting multiple shots at blues and a few white marlin as well.
The dolphin fishing remains solid in the blue water as well. Skirted ballyhoo are top choices for the ‘phins, and they will tempt bites from the billfish as well. Baitless trolling lures are producing results with the Gulf Stream predators.
The dolphin have also begun to move inshore of the Stream, and boats encountered decent numbers of fish in the 25-30 mile range last week.
Anglers have caught a few cobia along the beaches, and better numbers have been seen in the 15-25 mile range, with some falling for slow-trolled live baits but most approaching boats anchored and bottom fishing. Live baits are top choices for the cobia, but they’ll often strike bucktail jigs with squid or soft plastic trailers, too.
Bottom fishermen are reporting good action with scamp and red grouper at structure in the 35-45 mile range. Gags are feeding a bit closer to shore (from 15 miles on out). Live, dead, and cut baits along with vertical jigs will tempt bites from the grouper.
Black sea bass season has opened, and anglers should have little trouble putting together limits of the tasty bottom dwellers at spots 10-20 miles offshore. Cut baits and squid on double drop rigs or smaller jigs are the tickets to hook up with the bass.
Inshore, red drum are feeding in the marshes, where anglers have been tempting them to bite topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits.
Anglers are reporting a good flounder bite at ICW docks, with better action and fish towards Carolina Beach. Live mud minnows, finger mullet, and peanut pogies on Carolina rigs are solid bets for the flatfish, and Gulp baits are tough for them to turn down as well.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that the topwater red drum bite remains good in the creeks and marshes around Wrightsville and to the south.
Flounder are feeding around ICW docks, in the creeks, and around the inlets. Live baits and Gulp Jerkshads are producing most of the fish.
Anglers are finding action with black drum and sheepshead around the Masonboro jetties and other hard structure inshore. Shrimp and fiddler crabs will tempt them to bite.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding in the inlets and just offshore, where boats are hooking both while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures behind planers and cigar weights.
It’s time for dolphin to be showing up inshore of the Stream, so anglers trolling live and dead baits from the 20 mile range on out should keep their eyes out for grass or other floating debris they may be hanging around.
Karrie Morgan, of Wilmington, with a 9 lb., 12 oz. sheepshead that she caught a Banks Channel dock on a crab while fishing with her husband David.
Now that they’re open to harvest, anglers should be able to find fast action and quick limits of black sea bass at bottom structure 10-15 miles off the inlet. Squid, cut baits, and bucktails or small jigs will tempt plenty of bites from the bass.
Offshore, boats are still finding plenty of gaffer dolphin in the Gulf Stream, along with a few wahoo. Local boats also encountered solid numbers of blue marlin last week, so now is the time for anglers looking to hook a big marlin. Skirted ballyhoo and larger trolling lures are the best bets.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish action remains consistent along the beaches and just off the inlets. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and trolling weights are the best ways to put them in the boat.
Bottom fishermen are hooking gag grouper around structure starting at 10 miles out. Live, dead, and cut baits will all get attention from the gags. Black sea bass are in the same areas and will readily take smaller cut baits or squid.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that anglers trolling along the beaches are still hooking plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel. The best action last week had moved a bit closer to the beaches (in the 25’ depths), and pink flash #00 Clarkspoons pulled behind planers and trolling weights have been the most productive offerings.
Blue water anglers are still finding plenty of gaffer dolphin for the taking and a strong showing of blue marlin in recent days.
Mike, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that some chopper bluefish are still biting live baits on king rigs off the end of the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish on Gotchas, and they enjoyed a strong run of acrobatic ladyfish last week as well.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet at night, with cut baits producing the best catches.
Some keeper flounder have been in the mix as well.
The water is 78 degrees.
