By Skylar Walters
The big story among many anglers is the arrival and influx of king mackerel along the beach. While most fish are averaging in the 10- to 20-pound range, the amount of fish that have inundated the near-shore waters is remarkable. Those fishing from boats are getting limits of fish within just a couple of hours while some of those fishing from piers have managed multiple hookups. Slow trolling cigar minnows or Spanish sardines are the main baits of choice for fishermen targeting kings from boats, mainly because it’s easier and less time consuming than having to catch live bait, not to mention it’s working just as well. While most fish have been typical school-sized fish, there have been some fish pushing 30 pounds or more.
With weather conditions not forecast to change much in the coming week, the fishing should remain steady into the weekend. Water temperatures continue to read in the lower 70s and even though we’re already in the month of November, the extended forecast doesn’t show any significant deviation in weather conditions for the near future, meaning that the fishing and catching could continue for days, if not weeks.
One of the other topics of conversation among anglers is the fantastic speckled trout bite that has been occurring for several weeks now. Fish averaging 2-3 pounds are common with some 3- to 5-pound fish mixed in. Just about any soft artificial bait will work if the fish are around but DOA Shrimp and Gulps are hard for the fish to refuse. Just about every deep-water creek and channel is holding fish, but rising or falling water may make or break your day so do some scouting and figure out when the fish will bite, because tide current and flow will definitely have an impact.
The flounder fishing has also been relatively good with some decent fish being reported caught from the creeks and around the area docks. While artificial baits are working on them, a live finger mullet, which is plentiful, is hard to beat, especially during the fall fishing season. The inlets have also been producing some decent keeper fish, as has the lower Cape Fear River.
Red drum are holding in the same locations and will bite the same presented baits. Anglers are reporting a lot of undersized fish, especially from surf, so if keeping a fish for dinner, measure carefully. The drum being found in the sound and around the docks are mainly slot fish, but again, measure before putting one in the cooler. Those targeting the larger, over-slot fish are still finding some action just outside the Cape Fear River, but that fishing as slowed down quite a bit. Â
