Southport March 13, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been solid at structure in the 100’+ depths lately. Sharks are a regular nuisance this time of year, but by moving around, anglers should be able to find a productive area without the toothy pests.

Grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, black sea bass, and other bottom fish will reward anglers who get away from the sharks, and, in addition to the usual bottom baits, Gulp squid and shrimp have been productive on grouper and sea bass lately.

April almost always brings a strong run of king mackerel to the Frying Pan Tower area, and boats were finding the kings 4-6 miles southeast of the tower in low-70’s water temperatures a few weeks ago. This bodes well for the kings to show up at the tower right on time. Cigar minnows should attract plenty of attention from these hungry spring kings, and some false albacore that will also be feeding in the area.

April also generally ushers in an excellent Gulf Stream bite off Southport, and boats making the run to blue water should be rewarded with wahoo, yellow and blackfin tuna, dolphin, and the possibility of a billfish hookup. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures will draw strikes from all these offshore predators, and the bite should stay solid through early June if the water doesn’t warm up too fast.

Closer to the beach, black sea bass are still feeding at nearshore structure, although they’ll be moving back offshore soon. As the sea bass head for deeper water, bluefish and gray trout should take their place near the beaches.

Anglers may also see a short (1-2 week long) run of Atlantic bonito at nearshore structure in late March or early April. Unlike their relatives false albacore, the bonito are excellent eating fish.

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that pier anglers are catching a few whiting. As the ocean temperature (currently around 56 degrees) warms up, the whiting bite will improve, and anglers should also hook up with a few black drum. Shrimp fished on bottom rigs will appeal to both species.

By the first or second week in April, snapper bluefish should arrive, hopefully followed closely by the 8+ lb. choppers that were prevalent last year.

April also usually sees a pretty solid flounder bite from the pier, as warming water drives the flatfish to migrate from the nearshore reefs towards the beaches and inlets.

Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have landed some black sea bass and flounder at structure off the beaches.

Inshore, the speckled trout bite should be improving over the coming weeks, and anglers can also expect to catch some red drum.

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that wahoo have been feeding in the Gulf Stream, and it shouldn’t be long before anglers also see some yellowfin tuna in the blue water. Skirted ballyhoo will tempt both these offshore gamefish to bite, and dark colors (such as purple/black) are tops for the wahoo.

King mackerel are holding out to the east of the area around the Twin Wrecks. As the water temperatures rise over the next months, the kings should move in closer to the beaches. This time of year, cigar minnows and Drone spoons will both prove hard to resist for the kings.

Commercial bottom fishermen are bringing in good catches of beeliners and grouper, and recreational anglers should be able to get in on the action when the weather is calm enough for smaller boats to get offshore.

Black sea bass should be schooled up in the vicinity of Frying Pan Tower after spending the winter closer to shore.

Rigs baited with squid should appeal to all of these bottom dwellers.

by Gary Hurley