Added on Thursday, July 24, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport July 24, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that although last week’s east winds and tropical storms slowed the fishing down a bit, there has still been plenty of angling action in the area.

Anglers have been finding some king and spanish mackerel feeding along the beaches, but the spanish fishing has been a little hit or miss with the dirty water. Larger size #1 Clarkspoons in green flash behind a #1 planer have outperformed the smaller models lately.

Before the bad weather, the king bite was solid at the Shark Hole, 15 Mile Rock, 18 Mile Rock, 65′ Hole, Jungle, Horseshoe, and other areas in 60-90′ of water. Some cobia, dolphin, and a few sailfish are feeding with the kings, and live baits (such as pogies) have been producing the best results.

Bottom fishing has been productive lately, but it’s been made slightly more challenging by the heavy currents produced by the recent full moon. Anglers are still decking groupers, snappers, triggerfish and other bottom dwellers while dropping live baits, cigar minnows, cut baits, squid, and Gulp baits lately.

The Gulf Stream has been slower than usual this year, but there are still some larger dolphin and sailfish feeding out in the blue water.

The inshore reefs are holding schools of spadefish, and anglers can use strips of jelly ball to entice them to bite.

The flounder bite has also been good on Yaupon Reef and the surrounding inshore reefs. A Carolina-rigged finger mullet or pogy will attract attention from the flatfish.

 

John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing has been good around Southport, with anglers hooking flatfish near the city pier and along the waterfront and at Caswell.

Speckled trout are feeding in the river, and the trout bite has also been very good off the piers recently.

Surf and pier anglers are also landing some black drum, puppy drum, and pompano.

 

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that the dolphin bite has improved around the Horseshoe.

King mackerel are feeding around the Shark Hole, and boats are also hooking some cobia and dolphin in the area. Dead cigar minnows have been proving effective on the kings, dolphin, and cobia.

African pompano are showing up around Frying Pan Tower, and they’re also taking an interest in cigar minnows.

Closer to shore, shark fishing has been good along the beach off Bald Head, especially if anglers can locate shrimp boats working the area and culling their catch.

The spanish mackerel bite has been a little slow.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that sharks and tarpon are feeding along the Cape Fear shoals. Anglers are hooking up with both species while fishing a spread of live baits on top and midwater and dead baits on the bottom.

Spadefish have taken up residence on nearshore structure like Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs. Anglers can chum them up using jelly balls, and then hook them on small pieces of the jelly.

Flounder are also feeding at Yaupon and McGlammery, and anglers are putting together nice catches when the weather is calm enough to target them. Live baits on Carolina rigs will tempt bites from the flatfish.

Inshore, anglers are landing decent numbers of flounder and red drum on both sides of the river.

 

Jen, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing bluefish, whiting, and some croakers. Cut shrimp on bottom rigs will tempt bites from all of them.

Anglers fishing with live shrimp are decking some speckled trout and pompano.

The water is clearing now that the tropical weather has passed, and anglers are already starting to see some spanish mackerel. The bite should get even better with some stable w