Southport July 15, 2010
Gerald and Mark Turner with one of four sailfish they caught and released at a temperature break on the north side of the Steeples while fishing with Darren Cranfill on the "Jaw Breaker." The sail fell for a purple-skirted ballyhoo.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding along the area’s beaches. Anglers can hook them on 00 Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights.
There’s been a solid flounder bite on the nearshore reefs lately, and anglers are hooking up with the flatfish on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and peanut pogies.
King mackerel are feeding from the beaches on out, but the best action has been 15+ miles offshore lately. Trolling with live pogies or frozen cigar minnows will fool the kings.
Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent despite extreme currents lately. Anchoring up so that the baits hit the downcurrent side of the ledge is vital to success. Squid and cut baits are the way to go to fool grunts, pinkies, black sea bass, beeliners, and a host of other tasty bottomfish.
Grouper are holding in the same places as the smaller bottomfeeders, and sending down a live pogy or cigar minnow will likely provoke them to strike.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the area’s king mackerel fishing was on fire last week. The best action came from the Shark Hole (where plenty of fish in the 25-35+ lb. range were taken, including one 56 lb. tournament winner). Slow-trolling live pogies is the way to go for the kings, and there have been plenty on the beach just off the lighthouse lately.
Inshore, anglers are catching plenty of speckled trout (some to 5+ lbs.) and red drum (to well over-slot) in the creeks and bays on both sides of the lower river. Live shrimp, finger mullet, and pogies will attract attention from both.
Flounder fishing’s also been good in the river. Fishing live baits around structure like docks and drop-offs is the way to go for the flatties.
Eric Ramsey with his first king mackerel, a 30.6 lb. fish that bit a live bluefish off the end of Oak Island Pier.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers on the piers and in boats had decent luck with king mackerel while fishing live baits like bluefish and pogies last week.
Spanish mackerel have also been plentiful, though boaters are doing better than the piers with the spaniards. Trolled Clarkspoons are getting their attention.
Tarpon are moving along the beachfront, and anglers have hooked a few from the piers recently. Live baits are fooling the silver kings.
Inshore, the flounder bite remains excellent for anglers fishing with live mud minnows in the creeks and around inshore structure.
Black drum are also feeding around structure inshore and will take an interest in shrimp.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that live-baiters landed several king mackerel from the pier last week. They also hooked and released a large tarpon.
Some spanish mackerel have been in the mix, but plug casters are catching mostly bluefish.
The flounder bite remains decent (with fish to 3.5 lbs.) for anglers fishing small live baits near the pier’s pilings.
Anglers are also picking up some speckled trout and pompano on live shrimp.
Sheepshead are feeding near the pilings, but not many anglers are targeting them.
Jackson Turner (age 5) with a flounder he hooked in Davis Creek while fishing with his father and granfather on the "Andy Jack."
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some king mackerel and an occasional tarpon on live baits fished on king rigs.
Plug casters are hooking up with some spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Flounder and puppy drum are feeding around the pier, and anglers are hooking both on live baits like shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows.
Speckled trout are also taking an interest in live shrimp.
Bottom fishermen are decking some pompano, spadefish, black drum, and decent numbers of spot.
