Wrightsville Beach May 24, 2012
Michael Schuster, Steve Wright, and Paul Gilbert, from Wrightsville Beach, with a quartet of flounder that bite live mud minnows at the Masonboro jetty.
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the flounder bite has turned on around Wrightsville (with fish to 9 lbs. reported this week). The inlet areas, deeper holes inshore, and structure like docks are producing most of the flatfish, and Gulp baits and live finger mullet or mud minnows on jigheads or Carolina rigs are tempting them to bite.
Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas, and the deeper creeks and flats have also been hosting a solid drum bite lately. They’ll strike all the baits that anglers are fishing for flounder, along with topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and a variety of faster-moving lures.
Nearshore, the spanish mackerel bite has been solid wherever boats can find clean water. Most anglers are hooking the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons and spanish daisies, but some are finding schools of feeding fish and casting metal jigs on light tackle to hook up.
The flounder bite has also been good around nearshore structure like the AR’s lately, and a 2 oz. bucktail tipped with a Gulp bait is the way to go for the flatfish in the ocean. Some gray trout are in the same areas, and they will also respond to the bucktail/Gulp combo.
Anglers are encountering king mackerel at spots in the 10-20 mile range while trolling and light-lining while anchored up. Live baits are the first choice for the kings, but dead cigar minnows will also draw plenty of strikes.
Some sailfish and dolphin have been reported well inshore of the Gulf Stream over the past week, so both fish seem to be on the move towards reliable summer spots in the 20-30 mile range like the Schoolhouse and 23 Mile Rock. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are top baits for the sails and dolphin.
Bottom fishermen are encountering gag grouper at spots in the 10-20 mile range, and reds, scamps, and more gags 30+ miles out. Live baits often produce the largest grouper, but anglers can hook up on dead or cut baits or while working vertical jigs as well.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream have reported excellent gaffer dolphin fishing while trolling ballyhoo along weedlines and temperature breaks in the blue water.
Steve, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers are seeing some king mackerel within a few miles of the beaches on both sides of the Cape Fear River, with more fish feeding out in the 10-20 mile range. Live baits like menhaden or bluefish are the best bet for the kings, but dead cigar minnows will also tempt them to bite.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some big gag grouper at structure within 20 miles of the beaches, and live, dead, and cut baits are all producing action. Red and scamp groupers are feeding further offshore at spots in 100’ and deeper.
DaRon Jacobs, of Leland, with a king mackerel that bit a Drone Spoon behind a planer 15 miles off Wrightsville Beach while he was fishing with Capt. Jim Sabella of Plan 9 Charters.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are catching big numbers of gaffer dolphin. A few wahoo and billfish are also in the mix. All will attack ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures.
Closer to the beaches, spanish mackerel and bluefish are feeding in clean water within a few miles of land. Anglers can hook them while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or casting metal jigs at schools of fish feeding on the surface.
The flounder bite has turned on from Wrightsville down to Southport (with several 5-7+ lb. fish weighed in lately). Anglers are hooking the flatfish near the inlets, around docks and other structure, and in the marshes. Live baits on Carolina rigs or Gulps on jigheads are tough for the flounder to resist.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that gag grouper, grunts, and other bottom dwellers are feeding at structure in the 80-90’ range. Dead cigar minnows and sardines or live baits like pinfish will produce results with the grouper, and cut baits or squid will tempt bites from the grunts and other bottomfish.
Jigging at bottom structure in around 100’ last week produced some healthy hogfish and a pair of cobia for anglers working Blue Water Candy Roscoes.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite was good last week when anglers could find clean water in 25-35’. Trolling Clarkspoons is putting the spanish and plenty of bluefish in the boat. With the recent wind, the cleaner water is likely offshore, but the fish will be feeding back on the beach when it settles. Gold spoons have been more effective than other colors lately.
Flounder are feeding at structure in 45-65’ of water, and jigging a Gulp-tipped bucktail in that range will tempt them to bite.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some gag grouper at structure just a bit deeper, and live baits or a variety of dead and cut baits will get their attention.
Some king mackerel have been on the feed in the 10-20 mile range, and anglers are hooking a few on light-lined cigar minnows while anchored up and fishing for the grouper.
Nick, from NY, with a 31 lb. gag grouper that bit a bucktail jig in 150' of water off Wrightsville Beach while he was fishing with Capt. Mike Jackson of Live Line Charters.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that the dolphin bite is still excellent in the Gulf Stream off Wrightsville when boats can make the run. Naked and skirted ballyhoo are producing plenty of action with the dolphin.
Closer to the beach, spanish mackerel are feeding between the beaches and offshore of the Liberty Ship, depending on the day. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights is the way to find and fool the spanish.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are catching large chopper bluefish just about daily. Most are falling for live baits on king rigs fished from the end of the pier.
Smaller bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs that anglers are working.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp are hooking some sea mullet at night and a few flounder in the daytime (with some legal fish in the mix).
The water is 76 degrees.
