Southport May 9, 2013
Teresa Clontz, of Monroe, NC, with black and red drum she hooked on cut shrimp near Bald Head Island while fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Steve, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are starting to see more flounder around Southport, and the flounder action should only improve as the water continues to warm. Most are still on the small side, but anglers are starting to see some solid keepers as well (with some over 20+”) recently. Live mud minnows and other small fish, along with Gulp baits, are the best bets for anglers looking to hook up with the flatfish.
The speckled trout action remains steady, with most fish coming from the creeks. Live shrimp are the best bets for the specks, but anglers can also tempt them to bite Gulp baits and other soft plastics or suspending lures like MirrOlure MR17’s.
Red drum are feeding in the shallows throughout the lower Cape Fear region, but they’ve been finicky and tough to find with the choppy, dirty water conditions recently. Live and cut baits offer anglers better odds when the reds don’t want to eat, but a variety of soft plastic baits and topwater plugs can also get their attention.
Bluefish have shown up in the ocean, with some big choppers caught last week (to 10 lbs.). Most have been smaller over the past few days, but anglers are hooking good numbers from the piers on bottom rigs and while working lures like Gotcha plugs.
The weather hasn’t let many boats get out lately, but anglers can expect to see king mackerel making a move towards the beaches over the next month.
LaBreeska Holtclaw with the first spanish mackerel of the season hooked from Ocean Crest Pier.
Blackfin tuna and wahoo should still be feeding in the Gulf Stream, and dolphin will also be making their first appearance of the season over the coming weeks.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have hooked some bluefish and spanish mackerel already from the Oak Island piers while working Gotcha plugs. The spanish should show up in full force as the water temperatures rise a few more degrees.
Flounder are also making their spring appearance, with decent numbers reported along the ICW last week (some keepers and plenty of throwbacks). Live baits like mud minnows or Gulps and other scented soft baits will get attention from the flatfish.
Anglers are still finding good numbers of speckled trout in the local creeks. Many have been hooking up while casting MirrOlures, but Gulps and other soft baits will also attract attention from the specks.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that there’s been some excellent action with red and black drum in the Lockwood Folly River and around Bald Head Island over the past few weeks. Fresh cut shrimp and shrimp heads have been fooling both of the drum.
Some speckled trout are feeding in the same areas as well.
Karen Buchanan with a red drum she hooked on a live shrimp in the Lockwood Folly River while fishing with Capt. Wally Trayah of Oak Island Fishing Charters.
Offshore, not many boats have been able to get out lately, but there was a solid king mackerel bite in around 100’ of water last week. Plenty of false albacore, barracuda, sharks, and amberjacks are feeding in the same areas, and all are taking an interest in cigar minnows, strip baits, and Drone spoons.
When the weather lets anglers get offshore, they should be able to connect with some grouper in the 100’ depth range as well.
Wahoo, blackfin tuna, and likely some dolphin are all feeding in the Gulf Stream and will attack trolled ballyhoo.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet and croaker while bottom-fishing with shrimp.
Bluefish are taking an interest in bottom rigs and Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Some flounder are also coming over the rails, mostly for anglers working small live baits near the pilings.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers caught the first few spanish mackerel of the year while working Gotcha plugs last week, and more should be on the way once the water warms a bit. Some bluefish are also taking an interest in the Gotchas.
Bottom-fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet and black drum while baiting up with shrimp.
