Southport/Oak Island – May 2024
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are catching whiting, pufferfish, and a bunch of smaller bluefish.
Anglers on the piers are seeing all of the surf species, along with some spanish mackerel.
Inshore anglers are finding really good black drum action, as well as scattered red drum and speckled trout.
Nearshore anglers have enjoyed plenty of Atlantic bonito bites, both on the troll and by casting.
Spanish mackerel are already moving in. The spanish are mixed in right alongside schools of bluefish.
Garrett, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that nearshore anglers are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish with consistency while trolling Clarkspoons.
The nearshore reefs are holding good numbers of gray trout.
If water temperatures continue to move up quickly, the area can expect to see some king mackerel showing up by the end of May.
Inshore anglers have been doing well targeting red drum back in the creeks.
A good number of black drum are also in the creeks, mostly up around the docks.
Speckled trout are staged up around the inlets.
The surf is seeing a good mixed bag of whiting, pufferfish, spanish mackerel, and some big bluefish (3-5+ lbs.).
Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Fishing Charters, reports that the Atlantic bonito bite has been great. The best action has happened in areas of clean water over structure in the 30’+ areas. Nearby bait is also critical to getting strikes.
Sheepshead are moving back inshore and setting up around docks and other hard structure.
Black drum will be mixed in these same structured areas, and they’ll be feeding on Carolina-rigged shrimp.
Red drum are around and mostly being caught around docks with bottom-rigged shrimp.
Speckled trout are staged up against oyster beds that have a current rip. A live shrimp under a float can’t be beat when targeting trout.
Doug Foster, of Durham, caught this 24″ red drum fishing near the Wildlife landing in Southport using fresh shrimp.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that red drum fishing remains steady with the water temperatures on the rise. Anglers continue to see the best action by casting along grass lines where these broken up groups of reds are holding.
Black drum action has been good in the typical hard structure areas, and the best tactic has been bottom-rigged shrimp. Anglers are starting to see some pinfish and other unfavorable species moving inshore, and this can make the black drum bite more difficult.
Speckled trout seem to remain in transition as the weather conditions are still unstable. Most of the trout action is in areas around creek mouths and near shell banks in the ICW.
Kaleb, of River Run Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding good number of black drum back in the creeks. These black drum are now joined by a few more red drum. With water temperatures reaching almost 75 degrees on the lower tides, the arrival of trash fish is increasingly more frustrating.
Just off the beach, Atlantic bonito have been active, with both trolling and casting techniques having success.
Spanish mackerel have started to mix into the bite.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the area is in the best Atlantic bonito bite it’s seen in years. These bonito are now joined by the first spanish mackerel of the season. Getting out over structure or around bait balls in 35-50’ depths has been the ticket. Trolling a spoon or jigging Big Nic Spanish Candy jigs over these areas has really put meat in the box. Each day, anglers may have had to adjust their color and lure presentation just slightly to figure out the bite.
Some 5-10 lb. bluefish have moved in around the Tower and are great fun on light tackle setups.
Offshore, the bottom fishing bite has been solid, with plenty of nice-sized black sea bass and vermilion snapper coming over the rails.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that the Atlantic bonito made a great showing in the area. Water temperatures are moving up, but hopefully the bonito stick around a little longer.
Mixing in that nearshore action are bluefish, spanish mackerel, and some under-sized king mackerel.
The bigger kings are still a bit offshore, but if the area can continue to see this warming trend, these kings will be making their way towards the beaches shortly.
Grouper season opening up on May 1 adds another bonus species to the already strong bottom fishing action. Targeting the 80-100’+ structures will produce black sea bass, triggerfish, and grouper.
Also keep an eye out for cobia to be showing up in May. The cobia tend to pop up while fishing over reefs anywhere in that 20-25+ mile range.
Offshore anglers also look forward to mahi pushing into the area. This first wave of mahi is usually found in the 35-40+ mile range.
Teresa Richardson, of Asheboro, caught this bluefish off of Ocean Crest Pier using a live bluefish.
Troy, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are having a bunch of success bottom fishing, with catches of bluefish, croakers, and a bunch of nice-sized whiting.
The occasional black drum (to 6 lbs.) are also in the mix for those rigged with shrimp.
When the pier is seeing clear water conditions, sight casting with Gotcha plugs or jigs is producing bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Sherry, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are catching a bunch of spanish mackerel now that these fish have started migrating onto the beaches.
Bluefish are mixed in the casting action, with the blues also hitting baits on bottom rigs.
Other bottomfish catches have included whiting, croaker, and trout.
