Southport November 17, 2011
Travis Overman, of Southport, with a 27.5", 6.64 lb. speckled trout he hooked on an X-Rap while working a grass bank in Wildlife Creek. Weighed in at Wildlife Bait and Tackle.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the fall fishing continues to improve. Anglers are finally finding a good king mackerel bite at offshore spots like Frying Pan Tower. Live baits are always good choices for the kings, but dead baits like cigar minnows are often equally effective when the fish are offshore.
Bottom fishermen are finding fast action around rocks, wrecks, and other structure in 80-100’ of water. Though sea bass and vermillion snapper are closed to harvest, anglers can still load up on grunts, triggerfish, porgies, grouper, and more while dropping squid, cut baits, and live baits to the structure.
Gulf Stream trolling has been excellent when boats can make the run, and wahoo, blackfin tuna, and even a few dolphin and billfish have been the rewards lately. Ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures are the best bets for the blue water predators.
Closer to the beaches, gray trout and red drum are still feeding on the nearshore reefs. Both will take an interest in jigging lures or a variety of natural baits.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that the strong speckled trout bite is continuing around Southport (with some big citation fish mixed in with the spikes). Live shrimp are the traditional gold standard for the specks, but anglers seem to be doing just as well while casting Gulp baits and other soft plastics this year.
The cooling weather has the area’s red drum schooling up in anticipation of winter, and anglers who can find the schools can enjoy fast action with the reds while casting live baits or Gulps and other soft plastics. The creeks and bays off the ICW and Cape Fear River are the places to begin the hunt.
Gag grouper have made their traditional fall move to inshore structure in 70-90’ of water. Dropping bottom rigs baited with frozen, live, or cut baits will attract attention from the gags.
King mackerel are finally making a bit of a showing around Frying Pan Tower, and they’ll likely be feeding in the vicinity as fall transitions to winter. Finding temperature breaks with the mid-upper 60’s water the kings prefer will lead anglers to the fish, and trolled cigar minnows will put them in the boat.
Sydnie Barfield, of Oak Island, with a 6 lb. black drum that bit cut shrimp in the Oak Island surf while she was fishing with her father.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some bluefish, black drum, and sea mullet in the Oak Island surf and from the piers. Bottom rigs baited with shrimp will get attention from all three.
Inshore, there’s been a good puppy drum bite in the creeks off the ICW, where anglers are fooling the fish with Gulps and other soft plastics or live baits.
Anglers are also picking up some speckled trout in Dutchman and Wildlife Creeks (though many are under the 14” size limit).
Black drum and sea mullet are also feeding in deeper holes inshore, and both will respond to fresh shrimp fished on the bottom.
Bubba, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some flounder and a few red drum while fishing live mud minnows under the pier.
Some bluefish are around and falling for a variety of baits and lures.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout and sea mullet, and both have been taking an interest in cut baits lately.
