Southport September 30, 2004
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports flounder are the main catch, with a 5 lb. 3 oz. fish being the biggest weighed in. The flounder are biting live finger mullet, which are running the surf. Whiting, black drum, and pompano are also biting well on sand fleas or shrimp. Only a few speckled trout have been caught, but they were nice fish in the 2 to 3 lb. class. Out on the end, there was an 18 lb. king mackerel landed, as well as some 4 to 5 lb. spanish. The kings should be right on the beach in the coming weeks, and fishing should only improve as the water cools.
Tommy, at Long Beach Pier, reports fishing has been really good despite the weather. Pier anglers caught four king mackerel in two days. Bottom fishing is producing spots, whiting, and croakers, while live bait fishermen are landing red drum, flounder, and bluefish. There is still tons of menhaden and mullet around the pier, so the good fishing should continue.
John, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that conditions remain miserable for offshore fishing. The red grouper bite seems to have shut down. Beeliners have dominated the current bottomfish catch. This action comes from east of the tower in about 300′ of water. Guys have also picked up some triggerfish here. Earlier in the week, there had been catches of wahoo reported from further out.
Billie, at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports gray trout, whiting, spots, and croakers have been the main catch. Flounder continue to bite in the inlets, creeks, and waterway, but no real big fish have been landed since the tournament. A few red drum are biting, and there has been a good bluefish bite inside with fish running up to 24 inches.
