Wrightsville Beach May 11, 2006
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports the red drum are biting on the inside. They are schooled up now, so finding them is the problem. Once located, you can catch them regularly.
There were some reports of speckled trout, but not as many as weeks past.
Flounder are still small but increasing in numbers, and blues are in the waterway and creeks.
Nearshore, the bonito are being reported in the usual places. Small blues with a few choppers in the 8-10 pound range were reported at the inlets, pier, and the surf. A few spanish have been caught, but it’s still a little cold for them.
There’s been some action at 10 Mile rock on albacore and a handful of kings. WR4 and 23 Mile Rock have been good for 12-15 lb. kings, along with some chopper blues and albacore.
Sea bass and grouper fishing has been good from 20 miles on out.
Gulf stream reports are slim due to the wind lately, but there are reports of wahoo, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna, with some dolphin mixed in when the boats get out. The yellowfin are running up to 70 pounds, with the average size a bit smaller.
Jot Owens, of Fortune Hunter Too Charters, reports that the redfish bite has been picking up in the creeks and waterway. There’s been some small flounder, but the little ones always show up first.
Live bait in the area is increasing, with little menhaden (2-4”) and some finger mullet.
Nearshore, the big chopper blues have been around Masonboro Inlet and the close AR’s like Liberty Ship and 5 Mile.
The spanish and bonito are also at the Liberty Ship and 5 Mile. If you’re trolling, go with Clark spoons and a #1 planer. If you’re casting, try Gotcha plugs.
Matt, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports the spanish mackerel are finally arriving. They are mixing in with good amounts of bluefish. Plugging with Gotchas is your best bet to catch either species.
On the bottom, the Virginia mullet are biting cut shrimp or bloodworms, and a few flounder have shown up. Try using live mud minnows on a Carolina rig for the flatties.
Jim Sabella, of PLAN 9 Charters, reports that there have been bonito at the Liberty Ship, and kings have been at 23 Mile rock. The heaviest kings have weighed in at around 25 lbs. There are also an assortment of bottom fish at 23 Mile rock.
