Fishing The Famous and Infamous Fort Fisher Rock Wall
Fort Fisher Rock Wall
One of our most famous fishing spots in SENCland is also a recognized famous historical site. But the Fort Fisher Rock Wall can also be infamous to foot fishermen for its treacherous slippery footing! Located at the end of Highway 421 South, The “Ft. Fisher Rock Wall” in the lower Cape Fear River valley stretches from the southern end of Fort Buchanan (a part of Fort Fisher) to Zeke’s Island where there is the presence of a sandy beach, then the wall begins again it’s run south of Zeke’s Island to Smith Island, currently known as Bald Head Island today.
In the early 1800’s the shifting sands of the Cape Fear River and the numerous inlets here to the eastern Atlantic Ocean caused much shoaling of the River and a deterrence to safe vessel navigation. In 1865, to control the shifting sands and shoaling, the then Corp of Engineers built the rock wall by constructing small rafts, hand loading them with rocks barged in from north of Wilmington, and then sinking the rafts in place stretching southward to form the rock wall we see today…..and it worked! After a few years, The shoaling problem became less invasive as time moved on and one of the great accidental results about this wall was that it help develop one of the greatest salt marshes here in N C and in fact the whole east coast of America! Totaling about 8000 acres, today a total of 1500 acres remain in the National Estuarine Research Reserve for preservation, conservation, and the public’s enjoyment. From a dredging project to a natural conservation act, this has to be one of the greatest accidents of modern engineering today!
Driving to the very end of Highway 421 South, (2515 Fort Fisher Blvd. South, Kure Beach NC) the road ends at the Ft. Fisher N C WIldlife boat ramp. The First Bay or “basin” starts at this boat ramp and is a favorite of shallow water fishermen, especially the kayak and paddle board crowd. Kayakers love to fish here due to the shallow conditions and the numerous “hiding” area available up the smaller creeks and bays where larger motorized boats cannot traverse! Shallow is the key word here so plan your trip accordingly….many a boater has been trapped by the low tide and had to wait til a higher tide time to depart with the incoming tide.
The rock wall that starts to the west of the small public parking lot is a favorite for foot fishermen. Traversing the Rock Wall is sketchy at best and always dangerous due to the slippery rocks and extremely hazardous footing. Proper foot wear is advised and some even glue thick felt available at many cloth stores to the bottom of their shoes for better traction on the slimy rocks. Seriously, it is very dangerous footing so proceed with the upmost of caution. And time your adventure! If you get caught by the tide, many have lost their equipment and some have nearly perished while awaiting rescue. It is just not worth the risk unless you Know your limits and tides.
Small power boats can also easily launch here but one must learn the routes of deeper water that thread its way to the south to the “Second Bay” and then finally into “Buzzard’s Bay” and then the creeks of Bald Head Island. Extremely shallow and in places extremely hard bottom due to oyster shell beds this is not a place for timid boaters! Many a prop has died here and lower units can easily be torn to shreds. Exercise extreme care navigating these waters! For the new fisherman it is best to start your trip at low tide and that way you can see the hazards. Going slow helps you to remember and learn your way about the bay. If there is a problem the rising tide can lift you and your boat. Exit with the falling tide until you are comfortable with your knowledge of the area. And you can follow other fishermen in similar boats but make sure your draft is the same or an inch difference can put you aground. There are many tricks to learn and time will tell. Generally there is deeper water next to the rock wall for safe movement.
If you fish the “inside wall” of the Rocks, you will see the rich abundance of fish! There are many bluefish, red fish, black drum, sheepshead, Flounder, and Speckled Trout that will attack a bait or lure. Smaller fish such as croakers, blow toads, and spots will bite a shrimp in a minute! And don’t be surprised if you catch rays, Sharks, or other ocean species due to your closeness to the open ocean just a short distance downriver. Many fish are found right up on the rocks as they patrol for baitfish that are living in the rocks. Sometimes the Flounder are laying 10 to 15 feet off the rocks, feeding there also. Be aware of the numerous “holes” or “blow throughs” in the wall from storm or Hurricane damage over the years. As the current has flowed there are deeper holes near these cuts that hold and protect fish til your bait falls on top of them. And know these holes have rocks and rubble all over their bottoms, so plan on losing some tackle here….the snags are unforgiving!
If you wish to launch further to the north, the Carolina Beach Wildlife ramp at Carolina Beach on Snows Cut is convenient. After passing under the Snow’s Cut Bridge and entering the Cape Fear River it is a short run downriver to the Rock Wall. After passing the NC Ferry Terminal watch your approach to the east as at high tide the wall can be hidden by the water. If low tide, the Rock Wall is easily visible and pronounced. Be aware of the rock bound fishermen and start your fishing efforts. The wall is roughly three miles in length and some of the blow thoughts may have a few boats on that area, but know there are many smaller holes where many fish congregate. If coming from the Southport area, run the river channel to the north till passing the Snows Marsh area just south of Sunny Point Ocean Terminal, the military base, then turn eastward and approach the Rock Wall similarly.
Summer time is for Flounder and redfish and when the cooler fall waters arrive, the Speckled Trout turns on heavily also! Live minnows, live shrimp, and various hard and rubber lures all work well. Cut bait on the bottom as well as fiddler crabs for black drum and sheepshead can make for a great day. Just be safe while walking on the wall or boating around the wall and carry some extra tackle….
Tight lines and strong knots, and take a kid fishing with you!
About the Author: Captain Charlie Schoonmaker grew up on the waters of North Carolina which has given him experience in all water sports from freshwater canoeing to deep sea “bluewater” fishing. Having seen all aspects of the ocean world Capt. Charlie can appreciate all the fishing and water communities. Capt. Charlie has over 50 years of local knowledge and experience fishing the Beautiful Southeastern Coast of North Carolina (SENCland). He continues operating his charter fishing business “Back Bay Fishing Charters” and his new family oriented excursions “Capt. Charlie’s Adventures” in Carolina Beach, N C. Ready to fish, Call: 910-262-3474
About the Author: Captain Charlie Schoonmaker grew up on the waters of North Carolina which has given him experience in all water sports from freshwater canoeing to deep sea “bluewater” fishing. Having seen all aspects of the ocean world Capt. Charlie can appreciate all the fishing and water communities. Capt. Charlie has over 50 years of local knowledge and experience fishing the Beautiful Southeastern Coast of North Carolina (SENCland). He continues operating his charter fishing business “