Wrightsville Beach July 7, 2005
Lewis, at Bug em Bait Co., reports the usual summer fishing with gulf stream producing a lot of dolphin with shots at billfish. Grouper fishing has been very good 30 miles or farther. Closer to shore the king mackerel and barracudas are all over the reefs with dolphin scattered around as well. Drum and flounder fishing should continue to improve as the menhaden and mullet get bigger and they start feeding on them. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are inside and outside of the inlets from Richs to Carolina Beach.
Stewart, at Intracoastal Angler, reports drum biting in waterway and creeks north of Wrightsville Beach and down in the Cape Fear river. Kings and barracudas are the nearshore catches and the gulf stream should produce dolphin and billfish and with seas laying down there should be more boats out finding the action this week.
Rick, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports sea mullets and keeper sized flounder biting on the bottom while plugging is getting a few spanish and bluefish. King fishing picked up over the weekend with 3 fish being landed as well as a spanish mackerel over 5 lbs.
Russell, at Tidal Market, reports snake king mackerel in the 24 to 28 inch range are everywhere and hungry. Barracudas are in the same areas and will eat live bait, dead bait, or the kings that are hooked. A few mahi are being caught nearshore but the sailfish have yet to come closer in good numbers. Flounder are around but many are still small as are the mullet for bait but the menhaden are getting thicker.
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports flounder fishing is still slow but seems to improving around the inlets and surf. Some larger fish are finally moving inside. Puppy drum were reported around the grass near high tide in many of the creeks. Also try the docks in the waterway. Blues seem to be everywhere. They more numerous this year than last. Sheephead up to 10lbs reported on fiddlers or sand fleas around the bridge pilings. Ladyfish have been providing action on topwater and grubs. Along the beach, spanish and blues are still biting well. Most are on the small size but still very tasty. Puppy drum are hiting around the jetty and and in the surf. Try minnows and crabs. With all the grass washing in from the Gulf Stream, trolling has been a little difficult. King fishing has been good from the liberty ship on out. Most fish are less than 20 lbs but a few smokers reported. Big amberjack are at the Schoolhouse if you want a good fight. Dolphin are scattered from 10 miles on out. A few sailfish reported as well. Some spadefish at 10 mile rock. Grouper and seabass from 18 miles on out. Mostly dolphin reported from the stream with a few wahoo and some blackfin tuna as well.
