Wrightsville Beach November 15, 2012
Jake (age 8) and Bonnie Rose with a sheepshead that bit a fiddler crab in off dock in the ICW in Masonboro Sound.
Hunter, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers have seen some solid surf fishing at Wrightsville Beach since Hurricane Sandy. Sea mullet, black and red drum, and some straggler pompano have made up most of the catch, with sand fleas, shrimp, and cut baits all productive.
There’s also been an excellent speckled trout bite in the surf lately, both at night and during the day. MirrOLures are fooling most of the trout, with Purple Demon and other colors hot at night and lighter hues during the day.
The trout bite is going strong inshore, too, where anglers are finding the fish in the creeks, marshes, around structure like bridges and docks, and in the inlets. A variety of artificials are fooling the specks inshore, with Gulp and Z-Man soft baits, Storm Shrimp, and hard baits like MirrOlure MR17’s all producing results. Some red drum are feeding alongside the specks, and both are taking an interest in topwater plugs as well.
There are still some flounder to be had inshore, but many are moving towards the inlets. Live baits and Gulp are top choices for the flatfish.
Bottom fishermen are reporting action with gag grouper in the 10-20 mile range and reds and scamps out further in the 30-40 mile areas. Live, dead, and cut baits fished tight to bottom structure are the way to tempt bites from the grouper.
Not many anglers have made it to the Gulf Stream lately, but those who have are reporting the wahoo action remains solid. Some blackfin tuna are also in the mix, and both species should be available well into the winter.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers are finding red hot speckled trout fishing around Wrightsville Beach right now. The fish are feeding everywhere from the backs of creeks on out to the surf zone, with structure like bridges and the Masonboro jetty producing some of the best catches. Live shrimp, MirrOlures, and a variety of soft plastic baits pinned to jigheads are tempting the trout to bite.
Jamie Lowe, of Wilmington, with a 4.38 lb. 24″ speckled trout that bit a live finger mullet inshore at Wrightsville Beach.
Puppy drum are also feeding in the same areas, and they will eagerly take the same live baits and artificials that anglers are tossing for the specks.
Anglers are still crossing paths with decent numbers of flounder inshore (and some in the 5-6 lb. range have been landed recently). Live baits and Gulps are top choices for the flatfish, but anglers shouldn’t be surprised to hook one on just about anything they’re casting for the reds or trout.
King mackerel seem to have pushed offshore since the storm, and the hot beach bite of a few weeks back is just a memory. There are good numbers feeding in the 30-40 mile range, however, and anglers who can find bait and water temperatures in the upper-60’s should have little trouble finding the kings right now.
Gulf Stream trollers are still hooking wahoo and blackfin tuna while dragging ballyhoo and skirted lures in the blue water. Some late-season dolphin and a few sailfish have also been hooked recently, and boats have connected with some stray yellowfin tuna as well.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that there’s been a solid blackfin tuna bite along the break lately (with fish ranging from 5-30+ lbs.). Anglers are catching the blackfins on trolling lures and while working vertical jigs and poppers around fish they see on the surface or sonar.
Some wahoo are feeding in the same areas and falling for ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures.
Amberjacks are also schooled up on the break and just inshore, and they will happily respond to vertical jigs.
Shane Wolitski, of Raleigh, with a pair of yellowfin tuna he hooked while trolling 70 miles off Masonboro Inlet with Capt. Ken Upton on the “Gamekeeper.”
Deepwater bottom fishing (300’+) is producing plenty of action with snowy, yellowmouth, scamp, and other groupers, along with blueline tilefish, red porgy, and more.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that the king mackerel have moved offshore to the 30 mile range, and anglers won’t likely see them much closer until next spring. Boats making the run to the fish should have little trouble hooking up on dead cigar minnows.
Gag grouper are feeding around bottom structure as close as 10-15 miles off the beaches, where live, dead, and cut baits will get their attention.
Inshore, there’s been some excellent action in the Cape Fear River north of Snows Cut. Anglers casting live baits, Gulps, and other soft plastics around grass islands and rocky structure are connecting with flounder, speckled trout, red drum, and an occasional striped bass.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been hooking big numbers of pufferfish and sea mullet from the planks lately. Some spot, pompano, and a 32 lb. black drum also fell for shrimp on bottom rigs last month.
Red drum and flounder are also feeding around the pier, and live or cut baits offer anglers the best odds of hooking both.
The water is 65 degrees.
