Dave, at Fryingpantower.com, reports that the gulf stream has started to cool off some now. Dolphin is the main action, with still a few yellowfin tuna and the occasional wahoo. The area north of Same Ole has been the magic spot for most of the season. Bright colors and lively baits are the trick.
The dolphin and king mackerel are being caught in numbers in and around the 23 Mile Area. None are big fish. Rigged ballyhoo and cigar minnows are the way to play here. Big cobia are still being caught. Rigged ballyhoo naked and live pitch baits will put you in the fight. And be sure to look for the second one as these fish like to travel in pairs.
The spanish bite has eased up somewhat, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught. There are still a few blues in the area waters as well.
Flounder are everywhere. Berkley Gulp and live baits on Carolina rigs seem to be the ticket. Area rocks, ledges, inlets, docks…you name it, and the fish are biting.
Red drum are chewing as well around the docks in the ICW.
The grouper have started the move inshore. Decent numbers of gags are being caught in the 20-25 mile range. Red and scamp groupers are from 30 miles on out.
Bruce, at Flat Dawg Charters, reports that a few bigger flounder are showing up in the Cape Fear River, Snow’s Cut, and the inlets. The small finger mullet are starting to move around in the Carolina Beach area, so the flounder bite should really get going.
Blues and spanish are plentiful along the beach and inlets trolling spoons and plugs.
And the river has been the best area for redfishing the last week; however, the reds are running small.
Mike, at Kure Beach Pier, reports that fishing has been fair. The first king was landed last week. It was caught using live bait and weighed 11 lbs.
Small spots, blues, and croakers are present. And water temps are around 73 degrees.