Southport August 16, 2007
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that boats are still landing some wahoo out in the Gulf Stream. Ballyhoo are the top baits, and skirted lures will add a bit more flash to them.
Bottom fishing is excellent at structure 35-50 miles from the beach, as the fish are holding in the cooler, deeper water. Squid and cut baits have been the top producers over the past week, and anglers are landing a variety of grouper, snapper, and other bottom fish. Some big sharks are also taking the bottom baits, and many are 3-500 lbs., with some too large to stop.
The king mackerel are feeding best in the areas 10-30 miles off the beach. Dolphin and sailfish are feeding in the same areas and pleasantly surprising anglers trolling for the kings. Live baits should attract attention from all three species.
The nearshore reefs off Oak Island are holding big numbers of flounder right now. Carolina-rigged finger mullet or bucktail jigs should prove effective on the flounder.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been alternately hot and cold. Shark fishing nearshore has also been inconsistent. The hot water doesn’t hold as much oxygen, making the fish sluggish.
Speckled trout fishing is still good inshore, though the hot water has slowed the bite a little bit. Live shrimp are the best baits for the trout, and anglers should fish early in the mornings after the water has had a chance to cool overnight.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the high winds and temperatures made fishing a little tough last week, but the (relatively) cooler, stable weather should bring things back to normal.
Anglers are still landing speckled trout in the early morning hours. Live shrimp and finger mullet will both draw bites from the trout. Flounder are also falling for the shrimp and mullet. Many of the flatfish are fat ones (around 3-4 lbs.).
Bottom fishermen are landing whiting, pompano, and spot on rigs baited with shrimp.
Bluefish and a few spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
Live baiters hooked one king over the week, and the king bite should improve when the winds lay down and the water clears.
The water temperature is 90.5 degrees.
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that area flounder fishing is hot. Boats are finding flounder around the Oak Island Bridge, the Quarantine Station, Dutchman’s Creek, and the Southport waterfront. The bite has been best around the waterfront docks between downtown Southport and the ADM Pier.
Flounder fishing has also been solid at the Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs when the wind lets anglers get out to them.
Live finger mullet or peanut pogies on Carolina rigs will attract bites from the flounder, and anglers can also fish a 5/8 oz. bucktail tipped with a soft plastic bait with good results. Anglers have weighed in flounder up to 9 lbs. recently.
The Yaupon Reef is also holding good numbers of gray trout. They’ll bite live baits or jigging spoons. A few big red drum are also feeding on the reef and may surprise anglers fishing for flounder or trout.
Dutchman’s Creek is holding some trout and red drum in addition to the flounder. The areas around the sea wall and boat ramp docks have been holding good numbers of fish. A live shrimp fished under a float will tempt the drum, trout, and flatfish to strike. Soft plastic baits such as curlytail grubs and Trout Killers will also draw bites.
Speckled trout are feeding around the bays and grass islands in the river. The topwater bite has been excellent lately, but anglers can cast soft plastics when the fish are reluctant to feed on the surface.
Black drum and sheepshead are holding around the ADM dock. They’ll both strike fiddler crabs or sand flea baits. Anglers should fish on the bottom near the ship bumpers for the drum, and dangle baits next to the pilings to tempt the sheepshead.
Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that the hot and dirty water has slowed down the fishing a bit. Surf and pier anglers are landing spot, croaker, pompano, and a few flounder.
Flounder are also feeding in the backwaters and out at the Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs.
