The beginning of this month will still be filled with very hot water. A late month break when the water temperatures should start to fall should give the bite a jolt of action leading into my favorite fishing season. The mullet are funneling through in droves and the slightly cooler water temps at the end of the month will provide the beginning of fall fishing season.
There are very good numbers of flounder in the Cape Fear River and Snow’s Cut. This month you will also find flounder on the nearshore ocean structures like the Marriott Reef and John’s Creek. When flounder fishing on the nearshore structure I like to use a 1/0 Kahle hook on 25-pound test fluorocarbon. The fluorocarbon is essential in the ocean and clearer water because it becomes more transparent than monofilament or braid. Prepare yourself and tie a lot of rigs before you go because you are going to lose a lot of rigs. If you are not getting hung up and losing rigs, then you are not fishing in the right area. Structure holds bait and is a refuge from the current for flounder to settle out on the bottom.
I like to fish at least two rods myself. One rod I cast out and sit in the rod holder and watch for action and the other I am constantly casting out and retrieving very slowly. If you locate a spot where you catch one or even get a bite, then focus more time on that same general area, because sometimes flounder will stack up, even laying on top of one another. If you don’t get a bite in less than 20 minutes you need to reposition on another part of the structure.
Another productive bait for the ocean flounder is a Spro 1-oz. to 1½ oz. bucktail jig with a Gulp 4-inch shrimp or jerk shad. The gray trout will also show up later in the month on this same structure in schools and can be fun to catch. Smaller minnows and a pink and white Stingsilver tend to work the best for these. Just remember this year the limit has changed to 1 per person, per day, so don’t keep any more than that.
Just remember, big fish don’t grow to be big by being stupid. With a lot of persistence and a hint of luck, you will catch the big fish that you will be telling the stories about for the rest of your life.
Capt. Wes Barbour
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