calling all wrightsville boys

[controlled chaos]

Alright fellas I am probably gonna get smacked for asking this question but I cant help it. Where are a few spots to catch a little live bait during the winter months around wrightsville/carolina beach? I want to catch some gags and I can't seem to find any bait anywhere and it is driving me nuts. I grew up in south florida catching live bait everytime I went fishing but it is a little different up here and I am freakin lost. I would buy some bait but Im kinda cheap when it comes to paying for little fish when there are a ton of them swimming around there somewhere. I normally make the drive from ft bragg towing my boat and I like to launch the boat as early as possible so I can get to the fish and when I get to wrightsville the bait shops are all closed. I have been using frozen menhaden a little but the results aint great. I jig a little but I like live baiting best. If anyone could throw me a bone here I would really be thankful. I am thinking about heading out on friday b/c I heard the weather was gonna be good. What kind/number of sabikis are you guys using? Is a castnet an option? help a brother out !!!

[brandon558]

really isnt any secret spots. Look around the creeks on a low tide and if there not in the first creek go to the next. Eventually you will find all youll ever need..you can always jig bait offshore as well.

[ice cream man]

This time of year it's harder to find live bait - have not been seeing any schools swimming by my dock, ( live near the Fig 8 Bridge ) not even Pinfish........

Did see some good marks on my Sonar behind Fig 8 in the "Y"......heavy / fast sinking cast net needed - deep water....

The Dredge Hole behind Carolina Beach has always been a local favorite....... light / shallow water cast net needed....

Sabiki - several sizes ( not sure of the sizes ) are always on the boat......Most all AR's should be holding bait......

Bite the bullet & buy a box of Cigar Minnows as back up.....

Hope this helps ....good luck.........ICM

[btglenn]

dredge holes is a good bet like ICM said but its 25 feet deep in there in places, Id bring a heavy menhaden net. You'll probly have to just look at your sonar this time of year.

Most of the larger boat basins hold pogies all year, they just dont show themselves too often.

I would jig up bait if I were you

[Robja]

SF,

If you are down in the vicinity of Southport there is usually bait up near the wildlife ramps or just above them. Your best bet would be to pick up some sabiki rigs and jig bait. You can most always pick some up around the buoys and the artificial reefs. If you go as far as Frying Pan Tower there is always plenty of bait around it.

[controlled chaos]

thanks a bunch fellas. im gonna give a few of these spots a try tomorrow and maybe saturday if i can. i got a new thruhull transducer that i need to try out. later guys

[ice cream man]

thanks a bunch fellas. im gonna give a few of these spots a try tomorrow and maybe saturday if i can. i got a new thruhull transducer that i need to try out. later guys

Give a shout out channel 69 - will be trying for some Reds tomorrow morning.....ICM

[Capt_John]

Just a little hint here boys, but the gags are chewing the bottom of the boat off on dead bait. I mean really biting good. The best bait right now is frozen spanish sardines. They're very cheap also.

Been trying cigar minnows, but the sardines are the best right now. If you fish near the sea bass trappers, try some frozen menhaden cut in chunks. They're used to eating the scraps of menhaden coming from the bass traps.