Southport August 11, 2011
Mark Snow, of Rural Hall, NC, with a 25", 6.2 lb. flounder that bit a live finger mullet at Yaupon Reef.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been fairly good off Southport over the past week. Trolling mackerel tree rigs on the surface and Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers is putting the mackerel in the boat.
Large sharks (some 150+ lbs.) are feeding in the same areas as the spanish and have a tough time passing up a bloody cut bait.
Flounder are feeding even stronger at nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are the best way to connect with the flounder.
Offshore, trolling and light-lining while bottom fishing has been producing some action with king mackerel, dolphin, barracuda, sharks, cobia, and some sailfish. Most any dead bait will work while light-lining, but trollers’ best bets include live baits like menhaden or dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing at offshore structure in 80’ and deeper continues to be productive. Anglers are filling coolers with black sea bass, triggerfish, grunts, snappers, and several varieties of grouper. Fishing the downcurrent side of ledges, rocks, and wrecks is the way to go. Live baits are best for the grouper, and the smaller bottom feeders won’t waste any time biting squid or cut baits on smaller hooks.
Amberjacks are schooled up on higher-relief offshore structure. Live baits and vertical jigs will tempt them to bite.
Anglers making the run to the Gulf Stream will likely find action with wahoo and blackfin tuna, along with a few billfish like sailfish and white and blue marlin. Naked and skirted ballyhoo will tempt bites from the blue water predators.
Bryan Sanders, of Asheboro, NC, and Keith Huntley, of Chesterfield, SC, with fat scamp and red grouper they hooked on live cigar minnows at some bottom structure southwest of Frying Pan Tower whilf ishing out of Southport with Capt. Mike Helms and mate Bobby Williams on the "Salty Dog."
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that the inshore fishing in the lower Cape Fear is holding steady despite the skyrocketing barometer. Red drum and flounder are making up the lion’s share of the catch, as the trout still aren’t around in their usual numbers.
Both the reds and flounder are falling for live shrimp drifted under floats around the creeks and oyster rocks in the area marshes.
Fishing live finger mullet on the bottom around docks, rocks, and other structure is also producing plenty of flounder action, along with a few stray red drum.
Tarpon are still in the area, and anglers who want a shot at hooking one should fish dead baits like spot, croaker, and menhaden on the bottom in the sloughs and channels off the lower river.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some fat speckled trout and pompano from the ocean piers. Nearly all the action has been taking place early in the morning, and live shrimp are producing action with both fish.
Some flounder are also biting live baits under the ocean piers.
Anglers are also connecting with good numbers of flounder in the backwaters behind Bald Head Island. Plenty of red drum are feeding in the same areas, and both will take an interest in live shrimp, finger mullet, or scented soft plastics like Gulp baits.
Offshore, bottom fishermen have been catching plenty of beeliners and black sea bass at structure near Frying Pan Tower. Squid and cut baits are getting their attention.
Some king mackerel and a few dolphin are feeding in the same areas, and they will pounce on live baits or dead cigar minnows. Both trolling and light-lining while bottom fishing will tempt bites from the kings and ‘phins.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some pompano and sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp. Some larger pompano are biting live shrimp.
The flounder bite has been fairly consistent lately (with many fish 18-20”). Live mud minnows have been producing most of the flatfish.
A few spanish mackerel are biting live baits and Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
Mike McCann, of Raleigh, with a cow dolphin that struck a dead cigar minnow near the Horseshoe.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking a few black drum and pompano while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Some flounder are falling for live baits under the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pilings, and dangling sand fleas or barnacles next to the structure will tempt them to bite.
