Carolina Beach October 15, 2009
Kristin Fountain with a big flase albacore she hooked on a pink/white sea witch 25 miles off the Cape Fear River mouth while aboard the research vessel "Dan Moore."
Dennis, of Island Tackle, reports that anglers have been weighing in good numbers of citation flounder recently. The fish are coming from the inlets, Snows Cut, and the Cape Fear River, with the best action in the river to the south. There’s also been a solid flatfish bite out on Yaupon Reef. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are fooling the majority of the flatfish.
The speckled trout bite has been on in the river as well, with anglers landing good numbers of fish to 5 lbs. Live shrimp, D.O.A.’s, Gulp baits, and topwater plugs are fooling the trout.
Sheepshead are still feeding around inshore structure like bridge and dock pilings (and anglers weighed in fish to 9 lbs. last week). Fishing fiddler crabs or other crustacean baits tight to the structure is the way to hook up with the sheeps.
Whiting are schooling up on the channel edges near the river mouth, and anglers have been putting together solid catches while fishing bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
The spot have arrived, and the bite’s been fast and furious from the piers when the wind direction switches to the north. Bloodworms are the most productive bait for the spot.
The red drum bite’s been a bit off around Carolina Beach lately, but some good reports are coming in from the bays off the lower river. Gulp baits, live baits, and topwater plugs will tempt the reds to bite.
Not many boats have made it offshore with the blustery winds recently, but some king mackerel are feeding near the beaches (including a 40 lb. fish caught on the pier this week). Live baits like pogies are tops for the big kings.
Spanish mackerel are feeding heavily in the inlet and just along the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons will tempt bites from the spanish.
Â
Trey Kilpatrick with a 22" flounder that fell for a Carolina-rigged cut bait in Snow's Cut while he was fishing with his father on the "Floundertrap."
Jeff, of Seahawk Inshore Charters, reports that the red drum bite has been solid in the bays and creeks off the lower Cape Fear River recently. Anglers are finding a few schools of fish to sight cast to, and they’re picking up more while blind casting in the deeper water of the creeks and near points. Topwater plugs will often fool the fish early in the day, and soft plastics or live baits will do the trick when the reds won’t bite on top.
The speckled trout bite is turning on around the islands in the river. Anglers are landing the specks on live shrimp, topwater plugs, and soft plastics.
Good numbers of sheepshead and black drum (up to 5-6 lbs.) are feeding around structure in the river. Anglers can hook both on live shrimp or fiddler crabs and other crustacean baits.
Schools of bluefish are also feeding in the lower river, and they will provide fast topwater action when they’re around.
Â
Bruce, of Flat Dawg Charters, reports that the sheepshead bite is still on around the dock pilings and other structure between Carolina Beach and Wrightsville. Fishing fiddler crabs or mud crabs tight to the structure is the best way to hook up with the sheeps, and the action’s been best at night recently.
Speckled trout and red drum are on the feed in the river around the grass islands, oyster rocks, and other structure. Live shrimp will attract attention from both fish, and they’ll also take an interest in a variety of lures.
The flounder bite has been solid lately around the spoil islands in the lower river. The majority of the flatties are falling for live finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Â
Mark Jones, of Wilmington, with a 30 lb. wahoo that fell for a ballyhoo under a Blue Water Candy Bling skirt in the Gulf Stream.
Brad, of Fish Spanker Charters, reports that the grouper bite is still a bit slower than usual, but anglers are hauling up some fat reds, gags, and scamps from bottom structure 30-40 miles off the inlet. Live baits, cut baits, and cigar minnows are producing most of the grouper bites.
Beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, and other bottom feeders are providing plenty of action in the same area. Squid will draw strikes from the smaller bottomfish.
Some king mackerel have moved into the same spots. Anglers can bait a weightless lightline with a cigar minnow or other bait for a shot at the kings.
Closer to shore, there’s been a decent gag grouper and sea bass bite at structure in the 20 mile range.
Â
Alyssa, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that anglers are decking good numbers of spot while baiting up with bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits fished on the bottom.
Plug casters are finding action with spanish mackerel and bluefish while working Gotchas.
