Wrightsville Beach September 29, 2005
Tex, at Tex’s Tackle, reports the fishing continues to improve, along with the water clarity. Blues, puppy drum, and flounder have been reported at the inlets, and puppy drum along the docks in the waterway are hitting live bait and artificials.
A handful of speckled trout have been reported at the Masonboro jetties. Rich’s Inlet has also been good for speckled trout, as well as red drum and flounder, with most everything happening on live bait.
Nearshore, mid-size kings have been reported at Dallas Rock, 10 Mile Rock, and the Dredge Wreck on live bait. Lots of pogies are off the beach at Southport and in the waterway at Williams Landing.
Sea bass and grouper are out around 20 to 35 miles, and blues and spanish mackerel are along the beaches.
Gulf stream reports the action has been good for the boats willing to pay the fuel cost. Sailfish, blue marlin, and wahoo were reported in good numbers in 50-75 fathoms.
Dickie, at Tidal Market II, reports the few boats making the expensive trek to the gulf stream are doing very well on wahoo and sailfish.
Closer to shore, the grouper are biting well around 30 miles out, and clean water for king mackerel is around 25 miles right now.
Red drum are in most of the inlets and in the river, as well as an occasional speckled trout starting to make its fall appearance. Flounder are starting to pick up again, but most of the bigger fish have only been around 2 to 3 pounds.
Rick, at Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports bluefish are hitting the Gotchas pretty well now, and a few tarpon are still around making runs at the king baits. A 24 lb. king mackerel was landed, and a few blacktip sharks are around to tug on your line as well.
Bottom fishing has seen a few runs of pompano during the day and spots at night.
Lewis, at Bug-Em Bait Co., reports good fall fishing has arrived inshore. Drum are all over the waterway and creeks, with bigger fish out in the inlets. A few speckled trout are being caught in the same areas in the creeks and inlets.
Flounder fishing has slowed a bit, but it should pick back up in the inlets as the water settles some more.
Offshore, the grouper bite has been very good, but kingfishing has been slow in Onslow Bay.
And gulf stream fishing has been good for wahoo, gaffer dolphin, sailfish, and a few blue marlins.
