Local Carolina Beach Fishing Reports, Kure Beach Fishing Reports, and Fort Fisher Fishing Reports
There's no doubt the fishing is hot in the lower Cape Fear Region... here's the proof!
Right now, you'll find the latest Fishing Reports available. So, join in with the locals, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher for fishing excitement. You haven't heard all the our fish tails until you read these fishing reports! We have multiple fishing report authors from Pleasure Island, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher with tons of photos to validate the catches. So, sit back, take your time and check em ALL out!
Wow! 2019 is here after 2018....
Wow! 2019 is here after 2018 went by in a seemingly blur. After a few changes in our fleet, we are now solely a Kencraft-Bayrider company. Starting 2019, we have 2 Bayrider Skiffs, and a Bayrider 239 Bay. These are truly top of the line inshore boats that can accommodate several different types of fishing. Although we went through some of the roughest and rainiest weather to date in the Cape Fear region, we were able to crank out another successful and fun filled year with some of the BEST customers and friends. Now that we are now in the dead middle of the winter season and also our winter special rates, the numbers of species has minimized but the red drum bite has not. This is our one go-to winter time fish that thrives even in the coldest of weather. With that being said, here is a look ahead....
Late Fall and Early Winter Fishing....
Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass We are very fortunate here in southeastern North Carolina with some awesome backwater fishing for several different species. Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and in a different part of our river, Striped Bass. Some of the best fishing of the year for these species can occur. The three main species that we target throughout the year, reds, black drum, and speckled trout, are usually chewing at their best and we can find big numbers of these fish on a weekly basis. The weather is often and pleasant with temperatures most of the time in the upper 50s and 60s and even low 70s. This report is based on now until the end of December. Redfish- The red drum fishing in the Cape Fear region can be at times some of the best in the state due to our vast amount....
Redfish, flounder, black drum, speckled trout,....
Summer is right around the corner and the temperatures and muggy conditions makes it feel as so. With a whacky spring behind us, we have seen a stable warm weather pattern that has caused the water temps to warm quickly. Our summer fishing consists of mainly redfish, but also many more species. Redfish, flounder, black drum, speckled trout, sheepshead, and many more types fish can be caught on any given day. To get an idea of how we target each species, take a look below! Red Drum (Redfish)- Reds are by far the most favorable fish we catch due to the shear power and aggressiveness they show once getting hooked on the line. Most of the time we fish for them with Carolina rigs with live bait and float rigs as well. When the conditions allow it, we can also target them on artificial lures and topwater plugs. If the....
The early winter fishing has been....
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers/friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Also a huge THANK YOU for your business and trusting us to show your family and friends a good time fishing on the Lower Cape Fear. We cherish the friendships we have made and consider it a blessing to get to know so many good and beautiful people. Building relationships and getting to know people from the US, and in some instances other countries is what makes the job so rewarding. What is really neat is watching your children and grandchildren grow, mature, and become young adults. We are looking forward to 2018, seeing and fishing with our regular customers/friends and hopefully building relationships with new customers. I think it is going to be a good year with some nice upgrades to our charter business. The early....
Winter Fishing Report and Forecast
11/23/2017 Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass Southeastern North Carolina is blessed with some awesome winter fishing for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass. Some of the best fishing of the year for these species can occur. Redfish and Black Drum fishing can be incredible in December and January and good thru Febuary. Speckled Trout fishing is good thru December with spurts thru January and February depending on water temps. Striped Bass fishing can be good all winter long in the upper Cape Fear River. Winter Redfishing Our winter red drum fishing is one of North Carolina’s best shallow-water fishery because the waters are the warmest in the state. In the winter months redfish school up on dark, muddy flats and creeks seeking warmer waters that these areas create from the afternoon sun. Schools range from 10 to 50 fish schools in the creeks and 100....
Fall fishing in full swing, the....
Fall fishing in full swing, the speckled trout bite has really improved the last few days and should continue to get even better. Water temp is still hovering between 67 and 70 degrees. We’re still catching nice Flounder also; with 3 citations caught last week. I have posted a few photos of really nice catches this past week of limiting out on the trout. Sorry for the lack of reports but it’s been a busy season and a lot of great catches I’ll try and post more photos of the great season we’ve had so far at a later date but right now I’ve got to get back to fishing. Give us a call or shoot me a email to get in on some great fall fishing. Thanks Cpt. Charles Charlie’s Fishing Charters 910-279-0966 Flounderman3@gmail.com
Reds and trout and some flounder....
Hi Folks, Funny weather, not so much. Should have fished in February because March got COLD. Temps are warming up this week and that is on par for a good April…I hope. Winds have been a bit tough lately but hopefully will be coming down soon. Now hear is my report: Inshore: Reds and trout and some flounder are biting on artificials and fresh shrimp. Creeks, inlets and ICW are holding fish. Near Shore: Bluefish are biting on jigs, spoons and Crystal Minnows. It’s about time for the bonito to show up. Offshore: Bottom fishing is producing some nice sea bass. Gulf Stream: When the boats can get out they are getting good catches of wahoo, blackfin and kings. Cape Fear River: Good catches of Virginia mullet are to be had in the southern river. Upcoming: We are just getting started. Look for bonito any day now and in a very few weeks the Spanish should....
Temps have been steady in the....
March is here! The spring fishing season seems to have arrived early in 2017 which is always a welcomed sight. The temps have been steady in the 70’s and from the looks of the forecast, that is here to stay. We have had a mild winter and that has lead us into early spring patterns. Therefore, the fishing should be great! There are good to great numbers of redfish being caught, a few speckled trout, and black drum. The flounder, bluefish, sheepshead and other inshore species are not far off either with those usually showing in later into the spring. We are really looking forward to stable weather and the inshore fishing to continue to thrive and even improve over the next couple of weeks/months. The 2016/2017 winter season provided us with some great numbers of under-slot redfish and a few lower-slot fish. As anticipated with our incredible fall bull....
Good Inshore And Backwater Fishing On....
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE SEAHAWK INSHORE CREW JEFF, AMY, AND CHRISTIAN WOLFE First I would like offer a big THANK YOU to all of my customers, (most of who have become good friends), for your business. That is what makes the job so rewarding. Getting to meet and know so many good people from all over the country. To watch you guys experience this awesome fishery and share the wonders and beauty of the Lower Cape Fear is what it’s all about. It is an honor and privilege that you guys trust Christian and me to show you a good time on the water. It has been a good 2016 and we are anticipating a good year for 2017. Now for a short report: The inshore and backwater fishing has been good and should continue for the remainder of the winter. We are catching redfish,....
Big Bull Redfish will be starting....
Fall is arguably the best time of year to be fishing the backwaters and the nearshore ocean waters of the Lower Cape Fear area. With water temps beginning to drop, there will be bait moving in huge numbers. We have already began to see schools of mullets ranging from just 50 to 100 inshore to a couple thousand along the immediate coast which should mean the fishing should be firing off soon. This fall fishing only lasts a few months so dont’ let the opportunity slip and miss out on some great fishing opportunities. Big Bull Redfish will be starting to chew along our beaches and slot sized reds along with fish up to the low 30? range will be schooled up on the flats and also will be found in creeks with oyster structure. These big drum can measure up to almost 50 inches but the bulk will be....
We have been catching flounder and....
Sorry for the late report, it has been a very busy season. We have been catching flounder and red fish in our inter coastal water ways and off shore reefs. The spanish bite continues to be steady off shore with kings mixed in. These are fishing photos from recent trips. To get in on the action give me a call! Capt Charles Powell flounderman3@gmail.com 910-279-0966
They are all here and roaming....
Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Cobia, Black Drum, Sheephead,, Spanish Mackerel. They are all here and roaming the inshore, nearshore, and backwaters of the lower Cape Fear. We are have some fun fishing here in Southeastern N.C.and the weather has been great. These fishing opportunities will continue for the rest of the summer. Redfish are schooled up on the flats and scattered in the creeks and hitting live baits, topwater plugs, Gulp Shrimp and other soft plastics. We are catching a few flounder on live menhaden and Gulp Baits. Speckled Trout are hitting a variety of artificials and live shrimp. Black Drum are mixed in with the redfish when we are fishing shrimp on Carolina rigs. Sheephead are on docks, oyster beds, and other structure where fiddler crabs will put a few of these in the boat. Large Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, big Jack Crevalles, and Cobia are busting the bait and....
Live bait has arrived and so....
Live bait has arrived and so have the fish! We are starting to see nice catches of flounder, red fish and black drum. We are catching most of the flounder using live bait while drifting our inlets and the ICW. The red fish are being caught using live bait around dock pilings of the ICW and back bays in the Lower Cape Fear River. Black drum are being caught with shrimp around the rock beds in the same area. The spanish mackeral bite is picking back up right off our beaches and the king mackeral are being caught anywhere between 3-10 miles off shore. Captain Charles Powell 910-279-0966 flounderman3@gmail.com .
Atlantic bonito have been caught at....
Hi Folks, We have had some nice moderate temperatures early this spring, but the winds have been anything but moderate. Water temps are in the mid-60’s but it is blowing a near gale. Here’s my report: INSHORE: Black drum, red drum and a few flounder are biting fresh bait and artificials. The best bites have been in the creeks, the waterway and the inlets. NEAR SHORE: Some Atlantic bonito have been caught at the near shore AR’s. Bluefish have been plentiful. OFFSHORE: More bonito in the 10 mile areas. GULFSTREAM: No reports due to wind. Cape Fear River: Trout and reds are biting in the lower Cape Fear. UPCOMING: Look for fishing to explode when these fronts and winds settle down. Until Next Time… LET’S GO FISHING!!! Capt. Rick Bennett www.rod-man.com www.custom-fishingrods.com rodman@rod-man.com 910-520-7661
Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum and....
The spring fishing season is here and it looks like this spring is shaping up to be a good one. There are good numbers of redfish around, a few speckled trout, whiting, and black drum. The flounder, bluefish, sheephead and other inshore speices are not far behind. I am really looking forward to warmer weather and the inshore fishing to improve over the next couple of weeks. We have had decent numbers of lower and and under-slot redfish around this winter. These fish grow fast and we should experience a good inshore redfish bite this spring and summer. Most of the reds on my charters recently have been caught fishing live mud minnows and shrimp on light jigheads and Carolina rigs. We have also found large schools on the flats and are able to pick up a few reds sightfishing. We are also picking up redfish by dropping the trolling....
The wahoo bite is good and....
Hi Folks, It seems things are getting very close to normal again which means great fall fishing. Here’s my report: INSHORE: Good catches of reds, flounder and trout; Artificials, live shrimp and other live bait are all catching fish. NEAR SHORE: Bluefish are everywhere and some false albacore are around as well. Gray trout and flounder are biting jigs at the near shore reefs. OFFSHORE: Plenty of king mackerel with most boats limiting on their trips. Lots of bottom fish including grouper are biting. And for jiggers amberjack are providing big action. GULF STREAM: The wahoo bite is good and some blackfin tuna and sailfish are in the mix. CAPE FEAR RIVER: All the usual suspects; red, flounder and trout, are biting. Sea mullet and croakers are biting in the south river. UPCOMING: It’s going to get better and better, especially for trout in the coming weeks. UNTIL NEXT TIME>>>LET”S....
October/November/December is the best time of....
October/November/December is the best time of year to be fishing the backwaters and the nearshore ocean waters of the Lower Cape Fear area. Water temps are dropping, bait is moving, and the fishing should be getting hot for the next few months. This is my favorite time of year with less boats on the water and some great fishing opportunities. Big Bull Redfish are chewing along the beaches and smaller reds are schooled up on the flats and in the creeks. Chunk mullet, menhaden, and spots are working well on the big reds and topwater plugs, soft plastics, Gulp Baits, Shrimp and mullet minnows are working well on the slot reds. November and December are normally a couple of the best months to catch good numbers of reds in the backwaters. Flounder will be around till mid to late November. Gulp Baits and live mullet will put a few of....
The fishing continues to improves and....
The fishing continues to improves and will only get better! We have had some really nice catches of citation flounder and red fish. Most of our catches have been using live baits such as finger mullets and menhaden on a Carolina rig. The near by reefs are producing good size sharks, flounder, grey trout and red fish. While trolling right off shore we are picking up nice Spanish mackerel. Capt Charles Powell 910-279-0966 flounderman3@gmail.com
Large schools of reds that are....
Happy 4th of July from the Seahawk Inshore crew. We are having a up and down summer here fishing the backwaters of the Lower Cape Fear. Business has been good and most days the fishing has been pretty good but we are having a few tough days mixed in. There are lots of bait (mullet and shrimp) starting to move in to the creeks and flats and this should make for some better fishing opportunities for the remainder of the summer. On the nicer days with light winds we are able to find large schools of reds that are roaming the flats and do some awesome sightfishing using topwater plugs and other artificials. This will continue and should get better as the schools of mullet minnows move in. We are also picking up a few reds in the creeks and bays, but just not the numbers we usually see this....
The fishing has been awesome in....
The fishing has been awesome in the Carolina Beach area. On our inshore trips we have been catching really nice red fish, flounder and the speckled trout are starting to show. The Spanish mackerel bite continues to be strong right off the beach by trolling or casting jigs. Our nearby reefs are also producing nice catches of flounder, blue fish and grey trout. For some family fun give me a call to book your charter today……910-279-0966. Capt. Charles Powell
Starting to see nice catches of....
Live bait has arrived and so have the fish! We are starting to see nice catches of flounder, red fish and black drum. We are catching most of the flounder using live bait while drifting our inlets and the ICW. The red fish are being caught using live bait around dock pilings of the ICW and back bays in the Lower Cape Fear River. Black drum are being caught with shrimp around the rock beds in the same area. The spanish mackeral bite is picking back up right off our beaches and the king mackeral are being caught anywhere between 3-10 miles off shore. Captain Charles Powell 910-279-0966 flounderman3@gmail.com
Really nice catches of citation flounder,....
The weather has greatly improved and so has the fishing. This past week we have had some really nice catches of citation flounder, red fish and blues. With some of the red fish being over slot in the 30 inch range and are a real blast to catch on light tackle. We have been catching most of our fish using live baits such as mud minnows and live finger mullet on Carolina Rigs. The speckled trout bite has also started to pick up using artificial DOAs, but will always fall for a live shrimp on a popping cork. We have been catching most of the speckled trout around the islands in the Cape Fear River on a falling tide. Due to this past weeks weather I have not had the opportunity to get off shore but the spanish mackerel bite should continue to be strong through October. Our....
Nice catches of flounder, speckled trout....
Fishing in the Carolina Beach area is really starting to pick up with nice catches of flounder, speckled trout and red fish. Our nearby reefs are also producing nice flounder, grey trout, big reds and a variety of other fish such as black seabass , sharks, etc. While trolling off the beach our spanish mackerel bite continues to be strong and on light calm days are a blast to site cast to. Fall is just around the corner and the fishing is only going to continue to get better from here on out. Capt Charles Powell 910-279-0966 flounderman3@gmail.com 7.4 lbs citation speckled trout
Upper slot red fish, flounder
Fishing in the Carolina Beach and Bald Head Island area has been doing great. We’ve caught everything including upper slot red fish, flounder and are starting to see some nice speckled trout showing up. The red fish and flounder are biting well on live baits including menheaden and finger mullet. Right off our beaches we are seeing the spanish mackeral bite still going strong. Our near by reefs are producing really nice grey trout, flounder, sharks and big red fish. To get in on some of this action give me a call, 910-279-0966. Capt. Charles Powell www.charliesfishingcharters.com Dr Aaron Tropmann, with a nice 33 inch red fish
Nice catches of red fish with....
Despite the recent brush of Hurricane Arthur, fishing in the Carolina Beach area is getting back to normal. This past week we’ve had nice catches of red fish with some of these drag screamers over the slot. We are also seeing some good size flounder and speckled trout showing up in our inlets and around the islands in the Cape Fear River. Near shore we are still seeing good numbers of spanish mackerel and bonita while trolling or site casting when weather permits. Down around the Bald Head Island area we are picking up nice size flounder, speckled trout and red fish. Book now for your day on the water! Capt Charles Powell 910-279-0966
Kings are still way out, but....
Hi Folks, It seems winter will not let us go. Water temps are still below 60. We had a touch of spring and the fish started to respond. The last few days of cold, rain and wind have shut things down again. As the weather settles down again in the coming days, look for redfish, black drum and bluefish to bite in the inshore waters. Just off the beach look for some false albacore and Atlantic bonito. The kings are still way out, but the Gulfstream, when you can get to it, is producing wahoo and blackfin tune. Hopefully we will have a sustained period of warm temps and calm seas… It is hard to believe that we are over half way through April. When the water temps hit 65 look for things to bust wide open. It is going to be a late spring and thus a late start....
blackfin and some mahi joining the....
Hi Folks, I have just returned from a great inland striper fishing trip in Georgia, but more about that later. Fishing has exploded here in the Wrightsville Beach to the Cape Fear area. Water temps are in the mid 60’s. Looks like we have some weather coming in Thursday but hopefully this weekend should bring good fishing. Now her’s my report: INSHORE: Everything is biting; trout, reds and flounder. For me this is the time of the year I like fishing artificials. Topwater lures work well as do jig heads with your favorite soft plastic. Don’t forget to spray them with a fish attractant to get rid of the “plastic taste”. I am liking the falling tide. NEAR SHORE: The Spanish are Still Biting! Captain Jimmy Vass of Fortune Hunter Charters reports king mackerel in the under 10 mile areas with his largest this past weekend at 25 pounds. Lots of false....
Red drum are biting in the....
Hi Folks, It’s been a while, but the fishing has not been at its best. Things are picking up! Nice weather and less rain has allowed the water to clean up some and the fish have liked that, a lot. Now here’s my report: INSHORE: Red drum are biting in the cleaner waters. They are hitting top water plugs like the She Dog and the Super Spook early in the morning. As the sun gets high live or dead menhaden or mullet will get the job. I fish bait on a Carolina rig. Falling tide is best. Some flounder are being caught on live bait at the inlets. NEAR SHORE: Spanish mackerel continue to provide fickled action. They are her one day and hard to find the next day. Some of the best flounder fishing of the year has been at the near shore reefs. Live bait or vertical jigging are both....
Poagies are pretty easy to find....
Hi Folks, Again it has been a while since my last report, but you can blame the weather on that one. This has undoubtedly been the worst fishing weather thus far this season I can remember. Wind and rain, rain and wind, cold; you name and we have had it. Things were getting heated up just when “Andrea” came thru with 4+ inches of rain. My fishing report is below, but bottom line it is hit and miss. But I remain hopeful going forward. The water temp off Wrightsville Beach is 81. INSHORE: Rain and wind has left us with some dirty water, but it is finally starting to clear up. Poagies are pretty easy to find for bait fishermen. Some reds are being caught near the inlets and in the waterway. Friday we caught a 6.25 pound flounder in the waterway so the larger flounder are here; we just need....
Some redfish and a few smaller....
Hi Folks, This has been the most unusual early fishing season I personally have experienced in over 16 years of professional fishing. This past weekend saw an explosion of near shore fishing, while inshore fishing with the exception of the river, has slooooooooooooowed way down. Winds have been consistently SW for a good period and have brought good fishing to the area. The SW winds are forecast to stay for a while. Bait fish are abundant and HOPEFULLY everything will soon be NORMAL! Water temps in the ocean are around 67 and inshore 70. Now here is my report: INSHORE: Some redfish and a few smaller flounder are biting bait and artificials near Wrightsville Beach. Best tide for both seems to be the falling. NEAR SHORE: The best run of Atlantic bonito in years hit the Wrightsville Beach area this past week. Large schools of bonito were biting your favorite casting jig,....