Southport Winter 2004
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that whiting was the hot bite earlier in November with fish hitting cut shrimp. Most weighed in from 1 to 2 lbs. There were several good spot runs this fall, and they were hitting the cut shrimp instead of bloodworms. Those trout fishing with live shrimp have been pulling in a few fish in the 2 to 2.5 lb. range. They started doing better on artificials later in the month. Shrimp have also hooked some slot-size red drum and black drum to 3.5 lbs. The flounder action has slowed but the fish being caught are bigger. Black drum are eating on cut shrimp and are running 1 to 3.5 lbs. Flounder were taking advantage of the mullet still hanging around, and a few nice fish up to 4.5 lbs. were caught. Bluefish are chewing in the evenings in the 2 lb. range, and the biggest excitement has been the late run of pompano measuring 18 to 20 inches and weighing up to 2.5 lbs.
Tommy, of Long Beach Pier, reports that the fishing has slowed somewhat, but slot-size red drum are eating in the surf. Cut shrimp was producing spots, whiting, and pompano, while a flounder bite continued well into November taking live baits. John Woods, of Oak Island, landed a 7.5 lb flounder off the pier. Live shrimp and grubs are producing the speckled trout, with some nice fish weighing up to 3 lbs. coming over the rails.
Capt. Flick, of Blue Water Point Marina, reports that there are king mackerel at the Horseshoe. They’re in the 14 to 25 lb. class, and they are eating on cigar minnows. Bottom fishing trips have been producing 200 to 300 lb. boat loads (when seas allow) with catches including beeliners, blacks, pink snappers, grouper, and grunts. Fishing has been best 40+ miles off the beach. Also, wahoo action has been good further out, with an 85 lb. fish weighed in earlier in the month.
Billie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that a few lingering spanish were just off the beach in November, as well as king mackerel scattered on the reefs. The surf was producing whiting and spots on shrimp. Inside, flounder and red drum were rounding out the November catches. The speckled trout fishing improved in late November both on the piers and in the Lockwood Folly Inlet area. The rivers are producing black drum and an occasional red drum. There are still a few flounder out on the beaches. King mackerel seem to have moved off, and the better reports are coming from the Frying Pan Tower area.
