Southport July 7, 2011
Shelby Kotler-Ross (age 13), of Concord, NC, battled this 57" tarpon to the beach after it bit a live bluefish off Oak Island Pier and released it after the photo was taken.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has greatly improved, and boats are connecting with the fish while trolling gold and silver #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs and other structure, and Carolina-rigged finger mullet are tough for the flatties to pass up.
Large sharks of many species are feeding in the same areas where anglers are connecting with the spanish and flounder, and a fresh cut bait fished on a wire leader is the way to do battle with one of the brutes.
Tarpon have shown up in the area and are feeding around the shoals at Bald Head. Fresh cut baits fished on the bottom are one of the best ways to tempt bites from the tarpon.
Offshore, king mackerel and dolphin fishing has been solid around structure and bait concentrations from the 10-15 mile range out to Frying Pan Tower. Live menhaden or dead cigar minnows (especially fished on South Chatham Tackle Pirate Plugs) will tempt plenty of bites from the kings and dolphin.
Bottom fishing has been good as well, with the best action at the rocks, ledges, and other structure in 80-100’ and deeper. Grouper, triggerfish, snappers, and plenty of other tasty bottom dwellers are feeding in those areas. Squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the smaller bottomfish, and live baits are top choices for the grouper.
Keith Whitworth, Jason Deese, and Ron Melton with a sailfish Melton caught and released after it struck a live menhaden in the old Cape Fear River Channel.
Gulf Stream trolling has entered a summer pattern. A few wahoo are still in the mix in the blue water, but billfish like sailfish and white marlin are the dominant action out in the deep.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers fishing Oak Island’s piers are connecting with some speckled trout, pompano (some to 3-4 lbs.), and large whiting. Live shrimp are fooling all three.
Inshore, the red drum and flounder bite continues to be strong in the creeks and around ICW structure. Live mud minnows, finger mullet, and peanut pogies or Gulp baits will attract attention from both fish.
Sheepshead are feeding around hard structure like the Pfizer dock, the channel markers in the river, and rocky areas. Fiddler crabs and other crustacean baits are tops for tempting bites from the sheeps.
Offshore, anglers are hooking up with some king mackerel and dolphin as close in as Lighthouse Rocks. There’s been slightly more consistent action for both at spots a bit further off like the Shark Hole and Horseshoe.
Bubba, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout and citation-class pompano while dangling live shrimp from the pier.
Some flounder are taking an interest in live mud minnows and finger mullet fished on the bottom near the pilings.
Croaker and bluefish are hitting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits.
Live-baiters caught and released one tarpon off the end of the pier last week.
Jim and Mike Berges, of Bald Head Island, with a white marlin that struck a cedar plug in 300' of water near the Blackjack Hole while they were trolling on "Da Baiter."
Edward, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers had some luck with speckled trout and black drum while fishing with live shrimp last week.
A few flounder are falling for live mud minnows and finger mullet on the bottom.
One tarpon was caught on a king rig from the end of the pier last week.
