Wrightsville Beach October 14, 2004
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports everything is biting. King mackerel are right on the beach and at nearshore reefs from 3 to 30 miles. Gray and speckled trout have begun to make their fall appearance, with some nice sized fish showing the past week. The trout fishing should only get better: on the inside for specks and the nearshore reefs for grays. Red drum and flounder continue to bite well from the inlets and the surf (if you can keep your bait away from the bluefish). Very few reports from the gulf stream, but the wahoo should be waiting for you.
Dickie, at Tidal Market II, reports that the fall run of speckled trout are making an appearance with fish in the inlets and creeks hitting both artificials and live baits. A nice flounder bite has been coming from Carolina Beach Inlet, and the river is still holding trout, reds, and flounder. Gray trout are on the nearshore reefs, and Rich’s Inlet has had decent red drum and trout action. The gulf stream is producing wahoo, sailfish, and a few tuna. King mackerel and spanish are right on the beach from Topsail to Carolina Beach, and nearshore reefs are holding fish as well. False albacore are blitzing bait anywhere from 3 to 10 miles as well.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports gray trout at Johns Creek. The Carolina Beach inlet is producing big flounder, red drum, and an occasional speckled trout. The river has been slow, but it should pick up as the water cools and cleans up. King mackerel are just off the beach and at nearshore reefs eating live baits. There’s been with an occasional dolphin coming off the 23 or Schoolhouse areas. The stream is producing wahoo with a few tuna mixed in.
Seth, at Intracoastal Angler, reports that false albacores have been the talk of the week with pods in the 3 to 8 mile range. The fish are running up to 6 lbs. The river has been producing redfish, trout, and flounder, and they are responding to topwaters and shrimp imitations lately. The trout bite has been at Johns Creek, Carolina Beach Inlet, and Rich’s Inlet. Red drum are being reported all over, with some big 30+ inch fish coming off the beach on wrecks and reefs. The kings are nearshore on artificial reefs all the way to the inlets and along the beaches.
Matt, at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, reports 28 king mackerel landed in 8 days this past week with fish running from 15 to 26 lbs. Flounder action has been decent with fish running from 1 to 5 lbs. and a 6 lb. sheepshead was also caught. Bottom fishing is producing 1 to 2 lb. pompano and a few spots. A 3.28 lb. spanish and a 30 lb. jack crevalle were also weighed in this past week.
