CarpeTux

Eric, of New River Marina, reports that Atlantic bonito are still feeding around Diver’s Rock and other nearshore structure. Some smaller kings and spanish mackerel are also in the mix. Casting diamond jigs or Gotcha plugs around the structure or breaking fish should result in bites, and boats can also search for the fish by trolling Yo-Zuri Deep Divers and Clarkspoons.

Offshore, grouper are holding at bottom structure 20+ miles from the beaches. Cigar minnows and spanish sardines should draw bites from both red and gag groupers.

Inside the inlet, speckled trout and red drum fishing has been excellent throughout the New River. Gulp baits, Billy Bay Halo shrimp, and topwater plugs have all been producing good results on the reds and specks.

Black drum are feeding in the river around large structures like the 172 Bridge. Most are 3-5 lbs., and a bottom rig baited with cut shrimp should produce plenty of bites.

Flounder have finally begun to move in the inlet and feed well. Anglers looking for the flatfish should fish near the inlets with live, Carolina-rigged mud minnows or finger mullet (some finger mullet have shown up in the river).