Southport – December 10, 2015
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have found some excellent fishing around Southport in recent weeks, and there’s plenty to look forward to even as the temperatures fall with the onset of winter.
Speckled trout are on the feed in the Cape Fear River and the creeks surrounding it and the Intracoastal Waterway. Anglers are hooking the specks on soft plastics, MirrOlures, live mud minnows, and more.
Red drum are in many of the same areas and are also looking for meals on the shallow flats off the river and waterway. They’ll bite the same offerings as the specks or a variety of other baits and lures.
Black drum are feeding around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster rocks, where fresh shrimp will tempt plenty of bites from the crustacean-lovers.
The specks and both drum species will remain in the area throughout the winter, pushing far up into the creeks and backwaters. Slowing down anglers’ presentations and focusing on fishing the warmest water possible (often during sunny afternoons) will help anglers stay in on the bite as the water gets cold.
Sea mullet are still feeding in the lower Cape Fear River, especially around the mud flat near Caswell Beach. Surf anglers are getting in on the action as well, and fresh shrimp on double-drop rigs are the best bets for anglers looking to fill a cooler with the tasty mullet.
Offshore, anglers are finding plenty of king mackerel action around Frying Pan Tower, the Horseshoe, and the Shark Hole. The kings will attack live and dead cigar minnows, strip baits, and Drone spoons. They often feed around the tower all winter long, but wherever anglers can find water in the upper-60’s along with concentrations of bait, they’re likely to find the winter kings.
Bottom fishing has been solid at offshore rocks, wrecks, and ledges around the Tower and elsewhere in the 70’+ depths. Grouper, sea bass, triggerfish, beeliners, and more are looking for meals around the structure and will pounce on squid, cut baits, and cigar minnows. The bottomfish action should also hold up throughout the cold season (although anglers must release grouper after January 1).
Gabe Keith, of Southport, NC, with a pair of red drum he and his father Randall caught and released at the same time while fishing live baits near AR-425.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of speckled trout near Lockwood Folly Inlet and in the backwaters. The specks are taking an interest in curlytail grubs and Gulp shrimp along with other artificials.
Some flounder are still in the backwaters and biting live baits and soft plastics. Anglers are also hooking good numbers of flatfish around the nearshore reefs and other structure within a few miles of the Brunswick County beachfront.
King mackerel have been feeding 30-40 miles off the beachfront and biting dead cigar minnows, strip baits, and spoons. They’ll be in that range for much of the winter.
Grouper have moved in from the offshore grounds, and the next few weeks are some of the best times to catch them before the season closes January 1. Live, dead, and cut baits will all fool the gag and scamp groupers, and anglers have caught legal fish in as little as 50’ of water in recent weeks.
Envoy Nance, of Mint Hill, with a king mackerel that bit a live menhaden while he was fishing at Lighthouse Rock on the “COFFEYTIME.”
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have seen some excellent king mackerel action over the past month, and the bite should stay good as long as anglers can find upper-60 degree water temperatures offshore over the winter.
Gulf Stream action has also been going strong, with good numbers of wahoo and some blackfin tuna when the weather cooperates for the long run. Ballyhoo trolled with skirted lures will fool the ‘hoos and tuna.
Brandon Mayo with a tagged striped bass he hooked near Southport on a live shrimp.
Teresa, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some solid red drum from Oak Island’s piers using Bass Assassin soft plastics, particularly with the “chicken on a chain” and “cantaloupe” colors.
Flounder are still being caught as the water temperatures haven’t dropped too low yet. They are feeding just off the beach and around the piers, and they’re being fooled by artificial lures like Gulps.
Inshore, anglers are continuing to hook good numbers of speckled trout in the ICW. As winter unfolds, these fish will bite anything that enters their diminishing strike zone and that looks like it has almost no ability to get away. You’ll see the most success using MirrOlures or any other big mullet-looking lures.
Dylan Lechtrecker (age 16) with a pair of speckled trout that attacked soft plastic baits inshore of Oak Island.
