Wrightsville Beach – October 23, 2014
Chris Klingenberger and Sam McKenzie with a 55 lb. wahoo that they landed at the Same Ol’ Hole while trolling with Warren Barton on the “Rockhound.”
Arlen, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that anglers have been seeing some solid spanish mackerel action along the beach and around the nearshore reefs off Wrightsville recently. Most of the fish are falling for Clarkspoons trolled with planers and cigar weights, but anglers are also hooking up while casting metal jigs on lighter tackle to fish feeding on the surface.
King mackerel are also feeding just off the beachfront, with action reported out to spots in the 20 mile range as well. Live menhaden are the best bets for anglers looking to connect with the kings, and they are also fooling decent numbers of cobia feeding in the same areas.
Bottom fishermen are reporting solid gag grouper action around structure in 60-80’ of water. Live, dead, and cut baits will all attract attention from the gags, as well as from grunts, sea bass, and other smaller fish feeding in the same areas.
Anglers dropping baits to structure in the 100-120’ range are connecting with scamp grouper, triggerfish, and plenty of other bottom dwellers.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream are still finding plenty of action with wahoo while trolling around local hotspots like the Same Ol’ Hole, and a few sailfish have been feeding in the same areas. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling the majority of both fish, but anglers can also hook up with the ‘hoos while pulling baitless high-speed lures to cover more water.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite has improved significantly, with good fishing recently between Masons and Richs inlets. Creekmouths, shell banks, docks, and other structure are good places for anglers to look for the specks. They’ll bite a wide variety of topwater and subsurface artificials, along with live baits like shrimp, mud minnows, and mullet.
Red drum and flounder are still looking for meals near the inlets, around docks and other structure inshore, and in the marshy bays. Both will fall for live baits or Gulps pinned to jigheads, and anglers can also often tempt the reds to bite topwater plugs.
Chris and Morgan Hunt with 31 and 29 lb. king mackerel that struck live menhaden just off Topsail Beach while they were fishing with Capt. Dave Timpy on the “Wavelength.”
Anglers have also seen some excellent spot fishing in the ICW north of Wrightsville recently. Natural and artificial bloodworms are the top choices for anglers looking to load up on spots.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers are still seeing some phenomenal fishing in the Gulf Stream off Wrightsville, with wahoo and blackfin tuna making up the majority of the catch. Some sailfish and dolphin are feeding in the same areas and also taking an interest in anglers’ offerings. Skirted ballyhoo trolled in 150-350’ of water have been the most effective offerings recently.
Anglers are also hooking the blackfins and large amberjacks while working topwater poppers and vertical jigs around drop-offs along the break.
Anglers bottom fishing at structure a bit closer to land are connecting with gag and scamp grouper, beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, and other tasty fish. Live, dead, and cut baits are all producing results with the bottom feeders.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers are finding plenty of king mackerel action at spots 5-12 miles offshore, and dead cigar minnows are fooling good numbers of the fish.
Bottom fishing in 60-80’ of water is producing plenty of action with gag grouper, grunts, and black sea bass. Cigar minnows and cut baits are getting the bites.
Annie Croom, of Wilmington, NC, with a 26.3 lb. king mackerel that bit a live bluefish off the end of Johnnie Mercers Pier.
False albacore, bluefish, and a few spanish mackerel have been chasing bait just off the beachfront in 20-50’ of water, and all are taking an interest in trolled spoons and metal casting jigs.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that anglers are seeing excellent king mackerel fishing from the beachfront to spots 20+ miles out right now. Both live baits like menhaden and dead cigar minnows or ballyhoo are attracting attention from the kings.
Phillip, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers continue to hook good numbers of king mackerel on live baits fished off the end of the pier right now. Some cobia have also been around and biting the live baits and bucktail jigs that anglers are casting.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and other casting lures that anglers are working from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking a few spot and sea mullet on shrimp and bloodworms, but the bite hasn’t been on fire recently.
