Wrightsville Beach May 13, 2004
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports that fishing has finally taken off and gives this week a 8.5 out of 10. In the Gulf Stream, from the Same Ole north to the Swansboro Hole there has been a good dolphin bite with fish running 20-25 pounds. Yellowfin tuna are still being taken on ballyhoo in the 50-60 pound range. Blue/White, Blue/Orange, and Black/Orange have been the best colors to pull this week. Wahoo are in the same area falling to Braid Maurader plugs and averaging 40-50 pounds. No billfish were reported this week, but they should be in the mix. Closer to shore, 10-12 pound kings were caught on light tackle by those looking for the bonito/spanish bite around the 10 Mile Rock on deep diving Yo-zuris. Spanish mackerel have arrived at the Liberty Ship in the 3-4 pound range on your usual casting/jigging plugs like gotchas and maria jigs. Bonito will be mixed in with the spanish but should depart in the next week or two. The spring chopper bluefish have arrived with some 8-10 pounders reported from Masonboro Inlet and in the 15 mile areas from bottom fisherman. The flounder bite has turned on a bit with a 4.25 pound fish weighed in and many in the 20-25 inch class reported. Limited drum action was reported and the small bluefish have invaded the waterway.
Dickie, at Tidal Market, reports that there is a little bit of everything to catch, including spanish mackerel arriving at the Liberty Ship and Sheepshead Rock this week. They are mixed in with the bonito that are still lingering and can be jigged up. Small flounder are appearing inside with a 4 pounder being reported. Red drum and speckled trout are biting in Buzzard’s Bay on grubs and other artificials. Small king mackerel are at the 23 Mile Rock and even as close as the Dredge Wreck and can be taken on cigar minnows. Dolphin are also as close as the 23 but are very small. A few cobia have also shown themselves, with a 22 lb. fish taken this week. Bluefish are around the jetty and fishing will continue to improve as more bait arrives.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports scattered yellowfin, dolphin and wahoo in the Gulf Stream taking ballyhoo with blue/white being the best color so far. Kings are moving in to the 23 Mile Rock and the Schoolhouse. Good bottom fishing is taking place, with a nice sea bass and grouper bite starting at about 20 miles offshore. Also at the 23 are some big spring bluefish. Bonito are still biting, along with spanish mackerel, just off the beaches. Sea mullet are biting in the surf. Hewletts and Pages Creeks have produced a few drum, and undersized flounder are everywhere from the inlet to the creeks.
Larry, at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, reports the first king mackerel of the season was caught this week. It measured 49.5 inches and weighed in at 37 pounds. They are investigating, but it may be the biggest king ever caught from the pier. Also caught this week was several bluefish, from smaller ones up to the 8-pound range, and several spanish mackerel. Bottom fishermen picked up a couple of black drum and a pompano, including a 1.35 lb. black drum and a 2 lb. pompano.
Tyler, at Intracoastal Angler, reports that red drum are starting to bite in the creeks and flats from Topsail all the way down the river. Big bluefish are also up some creeks along with plenty of undersize flounder. Bait still is scarce. Off the beaches, the big spanish mackerel (4+ pounds) arrived this week mixing with the bonito and can be taken on gotcha plugs and maria jigs. Snake kings are slowly moving closer but are scattered. On out in the Gulf Stream the fishing is still excellent. Yellowfin tuna (40-50 lbs.), wahoo, and dolphin are all being caught along the break. The billfish action has also been good so far.
