Southport August 23, 2007
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the hot, dry weather has wreaked havoc on the inshore fishing, but fortunately excellent offshore fishing is making up for it on days when anglers can get out.
Bottom fishermen should start looking for grouper at structure from 80’ of water on out to the break. The best action has been in 100-120’ of water over the past week. Live or cut baits will both produce good catches of grouper.
Snappers and other bottom fish are holding on practically any reef or rock in the same depth range, with the best fishing in right around 100’ of water. These fish will take about any bait, but cut squid is hard to beat.
King mackerel fishing has slowed down a bit, but boats should still be able to find some kings around the offshore spots. Live baits and frozen cigar minnows will tempt the kings to strike when boats can find them.
Shark and spanish mackerel fishing near the beach was red hot, but it has slowed down over the past week.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking up with pompano, spot, and whiting. Shrimp are the best all around bait for the bottom feeders.
Speckled trout are feeding around the pier early and late in the day. Anglers should fish live shrimp and finger mullet near the bottom for the best odds on the trout.
Flounder are also falling for live shrimp and mullet (many are running 3+ lbs.).
Plug casters are hooking up with bluefish and some spanish mackerel while fishing with Gotchas.
King fishermen had a slow week due to the dirty water, but when the winds lay down and the water clears, the kings will be back.
The water temperature is around 90 degrees.
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that speckled trout are still on the feed throughout the bays of the lower Cape Fear River and in area creeks. Most of the trout are typical summertime sized fish (around 2-3 lbs.), but there are a few larger fish (5+ lbs.) mixed in.
The specks will take an interest in live shrimp or a variety of artificial lures. Trout Killers and curly tail grubs fished on leadhead jigs are excellent subsurface lures, and the trout have also been very willing to strike topwater baits such as Zara Spooks and Mirrolure Top Dogs.
Dutchman’s Creek is holding trout, puppy drum, and some flounder. The areas around the seawall and boat docks are producing the most fish. A live shrimp fished beneath a popping cork will tempt all three species to bite.
Flounder fishing remains good at inshore hotspots like the Southport waterfront, Bald Head harbor entrance, Oak Island Bridge, Fort Caswell, and the Quarantine Station.
There are still plenty of flounder holding on the Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs when the winds will let boats get to them.
Live baiters can hook up with the flatfish on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and peanut pogies. They’ll also take an interest in 5/8 oz. bucktails tipped with soft plastic or strip baits.
Along with the flounder, gray trout are schooled up on the Yaupon Reef, with a few big red drum mixed in. Vertically jig a Stingsilver or Fish Jig to attract bites from both.
Black drum and sheepshead are feeding on crustaceans around the ADM Dock. The black drum are mostly 5-20 lbs. and are feeding on the bottom around the ship bumpers at the end of the dock. Sand fleas, whole or half blue crabs, or cut mullet should draw bites from the drum.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around the dock’s pilings, and they can be tempted to bite fiddler crabs or sand fleas dangled next to the structure.
Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that the heat and winds have slowed down the inshore bite. A few flounder and red drum are still coming from the backwaters and surf.
Surf and pier fishermen are landing some spot.
Some spanish mackerel are feeding on the beach, but the kings have disappeared.
