Wrightsville Beach September 14, 2006
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports that the red drum fishing has been excellent since the storms came through. The surf has been producing slot-size (with a few oversized mixed in) on cut or live bait. And if you can’t find a school of bait, then throw some artificials.
The reds also continue to bite along the docks in the waterway, but there have only been a few reports from up the creeks.
Flounder are biting fairly well around the area inlets and nearshore structures. They’re hitting live baits and Gulps.
Ladyfish are still around for some jumping action.
Nearshore, the spanish have come in to take advantage of all the mullet running the beaches. The spanish have been good sized recently.
Very few king mackerel reports this past week, and it is probably due to the dirty, churned up waters.
The grouper have not been affected by the storm, and they are biting well in the 30 mile range.
The only gulf stream reports were some scattered dolphin and wahoo, along with a blue marlin that quickly jumped off.
Jim, at Plan 9 Charters, reports that the nearshore hard bottoms have been good for gray trout and flounder.
Offshore, in the 40 mile range the grouper bite has been very good, but all the rain has shut down any bite in the 20 mile range.
Inshore has been consistent for redfish and flounder, with plenty of live mullet running around to net for bait. The creeks and waterway around Figure Eight Island and Topsail Islands have been the best areas.
Jot, at Fortune Hunter Charters, reports that the catches are picking back up after all the rain. Inshore, the flounder are showing back up inside the waterway and creeks on live bait. The redfish are in the main channels and around docks.
Sheepshead are in the usual spots, such as around bridge pilings. Ladyfish are always biting if you can find them near the inlets or around bridges and docks where there are lights. They will hit topwaters or jigs, and try early and late in the day because they usually feed at night.
Nearshore, there are a few big drum around the inlets in the 25 to 40 inch range. The nearshore hard bottoms are holding some flounder and gray trout. The spanish are around, but they are hit or miss.
A 50 pound tarpon was landed this week, so they are still roaming (along with some big kings) right on the beach.
James, at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that spots, croaker, and black drum are hitting shrimp. The black drum are particularly numerous, and they are also biting sand fleas and cut baits.
Strip baits and live minnows fished near the pilings are attracting flounder in the 2 lb. range.
Sheepshead are visible around the pilings, but no one has been fishing for them.
Bluefish are biting Gotcha plugs and cut baits on the bottom.
Small live baits and plugs are the ticket for action with spanish mackerel.
A 10.3 lb. king mackerel was weighed recently, and barracuda and tarpon strikes have been keeping live bait fishermen busy.
The water is 81.2 degrees.
