Wrightsville Beach April 29, 2010
Jay Killman with a 24" red drum he hooked in Bradley Creek on a Gulp shrimp.
Tex, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that off Wrightsville Beach anglers are finding schools of bluefish and Atlantic bonito feeding around the nearshore reefs, wrecks, and other structure. The bonito bite has been even better to the north of the area around Diver’s Rock. Casting small jigs and bucktails around breaking schools of fish and bait pods or trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri Deep Divers in the same areas are the best ways to hook up with the bonito.
Spanish mackerel made an appearance to the south of the area last week (with fish to 6 lbs. reported). The best action has been around Sheepshead Rock and nearby structure. The same lures and techniques for the bonito will fool the spanish as well.
Bluefish have moved into the inlets and are feeding in the creeks, the ICW, and the surf. They’ll strike a variety of lures and baits.
Anglers fishing live baits and artificials around the Masonboro jetties have been rewarded with some red and black drum, bluefish, and speckled trout.
Surf anglers are hooking up with decent numbers of whiting. Shrimp, bloodworms, and Fish Bites on bottom rigs are the top whiting producers.
The sea bass bite is still solid at bottom structure in the 18-20 mile range. The Schoolhouse and WR4 are excellent areas to begin searching. Squid, cut baits, and small jigs will fool the bass.
Gag grouper are in the same areas, with reds and scamps feeding at structure further offshore. The season opens up May 1, so anglers will be able to put some long-awaited grouper fillets on the table when the weather allows over the next few weeks. Live baits, cut baits, cigar minnows, and vertical jigs will all tempt bites from the grouper.
Blue water anglers found some excellent action last week. The Steeples and Same Ol’ areas produced an excellent blackfin tuna bite, with anglers landing double-digit numbers of fish while trolling and working vertical jigs and even topwater plugs.
Wahoo were in the mix as well (including a 107 lb. beast). Trolling ballyhoo behind skirted lures (particularly in dark colors) is the way to go for the ‘hoos.
Happily, a few yellowfin tuna and dolphin were reported by boats making the trip to blue water last week as well.
The crew of the "Thunder," out of Wrightsville Beach Marina, celebrates after landing a 107 lb. wahoo near the Steeples. The 'hoo fell for a ballyhoo behind a purple/black sea witch and earned the crew the victory in the Masonboro Inlet Invitational.
Frank, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that bluefish have made their way inshore and are feeding in the creeks, waterway, and inlets.
The red drum bite has turned on in the inshore bays and creeks. Anglers are fooling most of the reds on soft baits like Z-Man shrimp and Gulps.
Some speckled trout have been reported around the jetties. They’ll take an interest in live baits, plugs, or soft plastic lures.
Off the beach, anglers found some Atlantic bonito feeding around the Liberty Ship and other nearshore structure last week. Casting small bucktails and metal jigs around the breaking schools of fish is the way to hook up with these tasty speedsters.
Spanish mackerel also made an appearance last week, but they’re still a bit to the south of the area. Boats put together some good catches while trolling Clarkspoons around Sheepshead Rock.
The sea bass bite has been solid at structure in the 18 mile range like the Schoolhouse recently. Squid and cut baits on bottom rigs or small jigs will fool the bass.
The blue water bite is turning on, and anglers found fast action with blackfin tuna and some wahoo (including a 107 pounder) last week. Several dolphin and some blue marlin sightings were reported as well.
Jigging around bottom structure in the blue water is still producing some fat cobia, but they’ll be heading inshore soon.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that sea bass are schooled up at nearshore structure like Dallas Rock, and small jigging lures are fooling them.
The Atlantic bonito have moved into the nearshore waters, and anglers can hook them while casting small jigs at schools feeding on the surface.
Gulf Stream trolling last week produced good numbers of wahoo.
Anglers vertically jigging in the blue water found action with cobia in 105’, a sign that they’re on the move from their wintering grounds towards the beaches.
Boats finally found a decent king mackerel bite last week as well, but the fish were still offshore of Frying Pan Tower in 100’+, so it may be a while before they make it to the beaches.
Bill Geisler, of Wilmington, landed this wahoo after it struck a blue/white-skirted ballyhoo in 280' of water near the Steeples. He was fishing with Capt. Mike Jackson of Live Line Charters out of Wrightsville Beach.
Rick, of Rodman Charters, reports that anglers are catching some puppy drum and black drum (to 5 lbs.) at docks off the ICW between Wrightsville and Carolina Beach. Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs are fooling both, and anglers can also hook up on Gulp baits and live mud minnows.
A few speckled trout are coming from the creeks and the Carolina Beach yacht basin. Gulp shrimp and swimming mullet are fooling the specks.
Atlantic bonito are here, but the action’s been spotty. Anglers may find the fish feeding on the surface anywhere from Sheepshead Rock up to Wrightsville Beach.
Spanish mackerel made their annual appearance last week, and the action should be getting better by the day. Anglers can locate the spaniards by trolling smaller Yo-Zuri Deep Divers.
Jim, of Plan 9 Charters, reports that anglers are catching decent numbers of Atlantic bonito and plenty of bluefish around Diver’s Rock. Casting Maria jigs and other small metal lures to the breaking schools is the best way to hook up with the bonito.
Working the ledges and other bottom structure in the area with jigs has been producing plenty of sea bass (with decent numbers of keepers), some sheepshead, tautog, gray trout, and a variety of other bottomfish.
Warren, of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, reports that anglers are catching big numbers of bluefish while working Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishermen are decking some croaker and whiting at night on fresh shrimp.
The water is 64.9 degrees.
