Southport October 9, 2008
Jerry Price, from Charlotte, NC, with a pair of kings caught while fishing from Ocean Crest Pier. The first weighed 21 lbs. 7 oz., and the second weighed 16 lbs. 5 oz.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that it’s time for the wahoo to be showing up in the Gulf Stream, although not many people have been out to the blue water lately. There’s always a chance of finding a yellowfin tuna out in the Stream as well. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted lures are top baits for all the Gulf Stream predators.
Bottom fishermen should still find some action out in the 100′ depths, but the grouper are moving into shallower water this time of year, and anglers may well find them in 70-90′. Cigar minnows, squid, cut baits, live baits, and Gulps will all produce action on the bottom rigs.
Nearshore, king mackerel fishing has been fantastic over the past week along the beaches near Southport. Live pogies are the baits of choice for the inshore kings, and anglers can fish them by slow-trolling, drifting, anchoring and chumming, or dangling the baits from a kite with good results. Mullet are also plentiful this time of year, and they make excellent king baits as well.
Spanish mackerel have been around all summer, and they are still feeding on the same bait that’s drawing the kings inshore, but the spanish will be making their way out of the area toward warmer waters soon.
Gray trout and red drum should be schooled up on the nearshore reefs. Cut baits and squid fished on bottom rigs will attract attention from the reds and specks, but catching them with jigging spoons like Hopkins, Stingsilvers, and diamond jigs is also effective and more fun.Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the king mackerel action along the beaches and just offshore has been incredible over the past few weeks. Live baits like pogies are the top choices for the larger kings, and fishing them from a kite offers unique presentation that draws explosive strikes. Anglers can also slow-troll the pogies with success. Hotspots over the past week have included the Oak Island beachfront, the inlet sea buoys, Yaupon Reef, and the Lighthouse Rocks.
Some oversized red drum are holding on the same structure that’s attracting the kings, and they’ll often fall for the same baits.
Inshore, the red drum, speckled trout, and flounder bite is getting cranked up for fall in the creeks, marshes, and structure of the Cape Fear River. Carolina-rigged finger mullet and other live baits will get attention from all three species, and spinnerbaits are also effective.
Jordan Floyd, from Columbia, SC, with a flounder caught behind Bald Head Island while fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters out of Southport.
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that the king mackerel bite is wide open from the beaches to offshore spots.
The grouper bite seems to have been slow lately, but bottom fishermen are coming up with good catches of beeliners and plenty of amberjacks.
Michael Davis, of Party Suppliers of Wilmington, with a 40 lb. king mackerel caught and released at Yaupon Reef on a live pogy.
Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that in addition to the king mackerel action on the beach, the bite has been excellent at spots in around 60-70′ like the Shark Hole. Dead cigar minnows are producing plenty of action with the kings.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers had some phenomenal king mackerel fishing last week, landing 44 kings in 7 days, with 27 in one day. Many were 20+ lbs., and one angler landed a 42 lb. fish. Live baits like bluefish, pogies, and mullet are tempting the kings to bite.
Flounder fishermen also scored last week, landing a number of fish in the 1-2 lb. class on small live baits.
