What kind of fish are currently being caught inshore at Carolina Beach?

Currently, sheepshead, black drum, bluefish, and red drum are prevalent in the inshore areas. The red drum are responding particularly well to live bait such as menhaden and mud minnows.

What's biting nearshore?

Spanish mackerel and bluefish are biting nearshore. King mackerel are also beginning to be caught closer to the beach. Some anglers have reported catching mahi in the 20+ mile range.

How is the surf fishing at Carolina Beach?

Surf fishing is experiencing a mixed bag. Whiting, croaker, black drum, and bluefish are being caught, with the occasional pompano as well. Spanish mackerel are present in decent numbers and sizes.

What bait is working well for bottom fishing?

Live bait seems to be working best for bottom fishing, resulting in catches of red drum and a good amount of catch-and-release flounder.

What species are being caught offshore?

Offshore anglers have been catching mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and a variety of bottom fish. Billfish have also started showing up for anglers trolling in the Gulf Stream. There's also a good showing of grouper, pinkies, triggerfish, and large vermilion snapper in the bottom fishing scene offshore.

What's the bait situation like?

There's a surge of menhaden moving into the river, which is a great sign for the summer fishing prospects. Various species are feeding well on this influx of bait.

What lures are working well?

Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics have been successful for inshore fishing. Gotcha plugs are proving effective for Spanish mackerel and bluefish nearshore. For Spanish mackerel in the surf, Clarkspoons fished behind planers have been productive.

Carolina Beach Local Fishing Reports #63RT

Article by: Mark Mayo

Reports coming in from around the area…

Inshore Fishing

The inshore fishing scene around Cape Fear and Snows Cut areas has been heating up with some excellent catches reported. Sheepshead have moved back inshore for the summer and have been landing on the ends of local anglers’ lines. A few black drum have also been brought in using bottom-rigged fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp. Other species like pinfish and croakers have been abundant.

Bluefish are showing up in large numbers inside the inlet, striking at live bait, cut bait, metals, and soft plastics alike. Red drum have been favoring live bait such as menhaden and mud minnows. Anglers have reported success in grass flats with some structure, and shell points on lower tide cycles. Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics have been working wonders on calmer days.

There are some good reports of speckled trout in the mornings when high tide aligns. As summer approaches, they’re dispersing into deeper upriver holes. Red drum are scattered in small groups and aggressively feeding in a variety of spots. Creek mouth areas on falling tides and points and splits in the creek on rising tides have been great places to target.

In terms of bait, there’s a surge of menhaden moving into the river. This signifies excellent prospects for summer fishing. Red drum, gray trout, black sea bass are all feeding well on this influx of bait.

Nearshore Fishing

The nearshore scene has seen some exciting action with trolling and sight casting to schools of Spanish mackerel and bluefish. King mackerel have started to appear closer to the beach. Some lucky anglers have even started encountering mahi in the 20+ mile range. Fishing with Gotcha plugs has been successful for Spanish mackerel and bluefish, while bottom fishing is yielding whiting, croakers, and scattered pompano.

Surf Fishing

The surf fishing scenario is in a transitional phase from spring to summer. Bottom fishing is seeing a mixed bag of whiting, croaker, black drum, bluefish, and the occasional pompano. Spanish mackerel are on the beaches in decent sizes, and fishing with Clarkspoons behind planers is highly productive.

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is yielding good numbers of red drum and a lot of catch-and-release flounder. Anglers are employing live bait for the best results.

Offshore Fishing

The offshore fishing scene is vibrant with mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and a variety of bottom fish. Some lucky anglers have even encountered billfish while trolling in the Gulf Stream. Bottom fishing offshore is giving good numbers of grouper, pinkies, triggerfish, and large vermilion snapper. King mackerel have moved into the 8-10 mile range, striking best on false albacore strips rigged on Blue Water Candy Sea Witch lures.

Overall, looking ahead, the Carolina Beach fishing is looking good. Tight lines, everyone!

Mark Mayo

I research and report on fishing, fishing gear/equipment, survival topics, and marketing for outdoors related businesses. I assist here on CB Fishing as the editor. Articles may contain AI researched content. All content is published for education and entertainment purposes only, NOT LIFE, HEALTH, SURVIVAL, FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE. Learn more about Mark Mayo