Wrightsville Beach July 29, 2004
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports a 49 lb. king mackerel was caught on a live pinfish off the Liberty Ship just off Wrightsville Beach. The kings are thicker on out 10+ miles, and they prefer live baits like cigar minnows or menhaden. Dolphin in the 5 to 12 lb. range are scattered around the reefs in the 6 to 25 mile areas. Spadefish are also arriving on nearshore reefs. Flounder are hitting live baits around structure. Red drum are hitting baits in the surf, and pompano are also in the breakers (hitting sand fleas or shrimp). Spanish fishing has been okay this week, and there is plenty of menhaden and mullet in the waterway.
Dickie, at Tidal Market II, reports cobia, kings, and dolphin coming off of artificial reefs, with a very good bite coming from 23 Mile Rock. Amberjacks are hanging around the Schoolhouse, but no sailfish from here were reported this week. Flounder fishing has been okay (mostly around the inlets), but fish are small. The bigger fish are on structure in and offshore right now. Drum are being caught on banks in the waterway. You’ll also find a few sheepshead up to 6 lbs. In the river there is a good drum, trout, and flounder bite, as well as tons of bait.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports that offshore there was a good wahoo bite by the high-speed boats trolling artificials around the Swansboro Hole. A few billfish were also released. Kings, dolphin, and amberjacks dominate the catch on the artificial reefs from 5 to 30 miles out, and they are preferring live baits. Flounder ran small this week, but they are around the inlets, creeks, and in the Cape Fear River. Red drum and trout are also in the river. Sheepshead are around pilings and rocks, while the spanish mackerel bite continues right off the beach.
Larry, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that spots, croakers, and Virginia mullet dominate the bottom catch. Use cut shrimp for all of these species. Bluefish are still hitting plugs, and there are a few sharks hitting the live baits. There is plenty of baitfish around the pier, so the fishing should pick up.
Tyler, at Intracoastal Angler, reports that a good sailfish bite occurred on Friday during the tournament out of Beaufort. There were over 100 releases recorded. Lots of wahoo were caught, and there were also a few billfish releases other than sails. There is decent shark fishing around the inlets. Red drum are also around the inlet, and they are hitting live and cut baits. Ladyfish are under lighted docks, and spadefish are arriving at nearshore reefs.
