Carolina Beach Local Fishing Reports #723

Carolina Beach Local Fishing Reports #73RT

Article by: Mark Mayo

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Carolina Beach Local Anglers are reporting:

Surf & Pier

Local anglers share that surfcasting has been rewarding with a diverse catch including pompano, whiting, bluefish, pint-sized sharks, and flounder. Bottom fishing enthusiasts, in particular, have reported a steady haul of sizable whiting and bluefish.

Inshore

The river has seen a huge surge of bait from Bald Head, extending into the downtown area, leading to a heightened red drum activity. Anglers should scout locations like oyster beds, tidal creek mouths, and spoil island cuts for the best outcomes. The increased water clarity from Snows Cut and southward is enhancing the bite.

Reports highlight that the river is delivering the most promising inshore action, yielding good numbers of sheepshead around sturdy structures. Red drum and the occasional speckled trout are found in abundance around shell banks and deeper grass lines.

Red drum fishing has been particularly successful with live bait including menhaden or finger mullet. High-tide has been productive, with anglers focusing on intersections of shell points and grass banks. Notably, a lot of red drum are falling within the upper-slot range.

Flounder, especially sizable ones (up to 25″), are gravitating towards grass banks and creek mouths during high tides. They’re biting at bottom-rigged live baits. Amid this activity, the stray speckled trout can also be found.

In sync with the red drum, flounder can be found in the same spots, attracted to the same bottom-fished bait. Black drum and sheepshead are flourishing around the ICW docks, though better quality fish are found by anglers exploring the Cape Fear River. Both species are biting at crabs, rigged vertically on 2/0 hooks.

Speckled trout have been found by those keen on topwater fishing, particularly in the southern sections of the river. An early morning start seems to offer the best chances.

Nearshore

Nearshore anglers have been treated to a lively Spanish mackerel run, with some notable citation-sized catches. Schools are visible feeding on bait pods along the beachfront, making jigs or Gotcha plugs effective.

Juvenile king mackerel are mingling with the larger Spanish variety, necessitating careful identification by anglers. Mahi are also being caught around 15-25 miles out, especially when looking for water color shifts and bait signs. Keep in mind, smaller mahi are common, but you can expect the occasional 10-20 lb. gaffer.

Offshore

Out at sea, larger king mackerel are being reeled in 5-25 miles out, especially when slow-trolling live baits or Blue Water Candy dead bait rigs. Anglers targeting the 20-30 mile range are reporting a mix of smaller mahi and various bottom-dwelling species.

Further out, around the 40-mile range, bottom fishing is thriving with triggerfish, vermilion snapper, grouper, and the soon-to-be-open-for-one-weekend American red snapper forming the major part of the catch. Gulf Stream expeditions are seeing some wahoo, billfish, mahi, and the odd blackfin tuna.

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