The fishing in late October normally calls for a change in tactics as cooler air, falling water temperatures and brisk winds come and go with each passing cold front. Anglers have been spoiled for much of the month and actually right into the beginning of this week with above- normal conditions, for both air and water. Seas have also been fairly calm, other than a passing hurricane offshore which brought some substantial swells for a few days late last week. Well, this week is definitely going to be a change, as lows and highs are cooling off substantially. For the most part, it will take many more to have a major impact on the fishing. Water temperatures are still reading in the lower-to-mid 70s and while fishing seems to have taken a mini hiatus while the fish adjust, I think we’ll see a brief rebound before the inevitable plummet occurs.
Pier anglers fishing for king mackerel have been rewarded for their patience with fish caught on Saturday and Sunday, and two fish decked on Monday, all weighing in the 20-pound range. How long this continues will be determined by how much persistence the anglers have to stick it out. The bait is plentiful, and should decent conditions persist, those fishing for kings could conceivably see a king mackerel caught into the month of November, barring any significant cold event, of course. The Spanish mackerel action has slowed, a sure sign the fall fishing is tapering down, but it hasn’t stopped completely, and there definitely could be another good run or two before it abruptly stops. Bluefish are thick and are almost aggravating for those targeting Spanish. Bottom fishermen are having luck with spots, mainly at night, and Virginia mullet, pompano and a few red drum during the day.
Off the beach, the fishing has been much the same, with anglers fishing small boats encountering some issues getting out because of the sea conditions. King mackerel, Spanish mackerel and a few cobia were still reported over the weekend by those trolling live bait close to the beach.
Surf fishermen are lucking out with Virginia mullet, spots and croakers on fresh shrimp and sand fleas. A few flounder and red drum have been hooked fishing the sloughs with fresh shrimp and cut bait.
Inshore fishing continues picking up as it does every year this time of year. Live finger mullet are plentiful for anglers wanting to use them as bait, and artificial are also working well. The docks and creeks are holding plenty of red drum and flounder, and a Carolina Rigged live bait is a hard combination to beat. Speckled trout are increasing in numbers around the Wrightsville Beach area and should continue to do so as the waters continue cooling. They can be caught in the creeks and inlets on live baits and by also using soft artificial baits such as Gulp and DOAs.
