Wrightsville Beach September 13, 2012
Grayson Lancaster landed this 54 lb. wahoo while trolling the Guolf Stream south of Wrightsville Beach with Capt. Ken Upton on the "Gamekeeper." A black/purple Ilander behind a planer fooled the 'hoo.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that the flounder bite has been excellent around Wrightsville lately, with big numbers and big fish (some to 7+ lbs. over the past week). The inlet areas have been producing some of the best fishing, but anglers are also finding fish around docks and other inshore structure. Live finger mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs or Gulp baits fished on bucktails and jigheads are fooling the flatfish.
Red drum are also making a strong showing right now, with good numbers in the creeks, around inshore structure, in the inlets, and in the surf zone. Gulp baits and topwater plugs are good bets for the reds inshore, and live or cut baits will get their attention just about anywhere they’re feeding.
The recent cooler weather has triggered the beginning of the fall speckled trout bite. Targeting areas around the inlets early and late in the day has been the best bet. Anglers are fooling the specks with live baits, soft plastics, suspending lures like MirrOlure MR17s, and occasionally hooking up on topwater plugs.
The spanish mackerel action has been a bit hit-or-miss over the past week, but anglers are catching some while trolling Clarkspoons and spanish daisies or casting small metal jigs around surface activity and working birds. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in.
It’s been a bit rough to get offshore for much of the last week, but some sailfish have still been feeding at spots in the 20-35 mile range, along with king mackerel and a few dolphin.
Bottom fishermen have been reporting gag grouper action at bottom structure 18-30 miles out. Cigar minnows, Boston mackerel, live baits, and vertical jigs are all solid bets for the gags. Red and scamp grouper are feeding a bit further offshore at spots in 110’ and deeper, and both will fall for the same baits as the gags.
Zeke Beard (age 8) and Makayla Spear (age 7), of Wilmington, with a sheepshead Zeke hooked on a live shrimp and Makayla netted off the docks at Masonboro Yacht Club.
The wahoo bite was going strong in the Gulf Stream at last report, with big numbers of fish coming from local spots like the Same Ol’ and Steeples. The action should get even better as fall wears on, and anglers may also find some dolphin or blackfin tuna mixed in. Ballyhoo paired with dark-hued trolling lures are the way to go for the wahoo.
Robbie, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that anglers are seeing some king mackerel at spots around 10 miles offshore and there’s plenty of bait nearshore, so a beach bite could materialize at any time. Live menhaden are some of the best bets for the kings.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream have found solid wahoo action recently, with most of the fish falling for ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures.
Spanish mackerel action has been fairly good within a few miles off the inlets lately. Anglers are reporting less fish than in previous weeks but a better average size is making up for it. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spaniards, and anglers can hook both on trolled Clarkspoons or metal casting jigs.
Tarpon are feeding around the Cape Fear shoals, and boats hooked several last week.
Surf casters are connecting with solid numbers of sea mullet and pompano along the Wrightsville beachfront. Shrimp and sand fleas fished on double-drop bottom rigs are the way to go for the tasty panfish.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite remains excellent in the inlets, creeks, and marshes. Both fish will pounce on live baits or Gulps, and anglers can also tempt the reds to bite topwater plugs in the backwaters.
Sheepshead are feeding around bridges, docks, and other inshore structure. Live fiddler crabs are tough to beat for the sheeps.
Reese Eller, of Ft. Worth, TX, with a flounder that bit a live menhaden in Topsail Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Daniel Jarvis of Flatfoot Charters.
Lynn, of Shearwater Charters, reports that anglers are still catching spanish mackerel off Masonboro Inlet. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers are putting most of the spaniards (and plenty of bluefish chasing bait alongside them) in the boat.
Bottom fishing in the 20 mile range is producing plenty of action with grunts, pinkies, and other bottom dwellers. Some grouper are feeding in the same areas, but sharks have made targeting them a bit tough lately.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers are still connecting with some spanish mackerel around Masonboro Inlet, but the action’s been a bit spottier than it was for much of the summer. Most of the fish are falling for Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and cigar weights. Plenty of bluefish are feeding in the same areas and pouncing on the spoons as well.
Speckled trout action is heating up inshore, and anglers found fast action with the specks in the Cape Fear River last week.
Steve, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that there’s been an excellent pompano bite around the pier recently, with anglers putting together nice catches on shrimp and sand fleas pinned to two-hook bottom rigs. Some sea mullet and pufferfish have been mixed in with the pomps.
Red drum and flounder are taking an interest in live baits fished under the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish on Gotchas.
The water is 81 degrees.
