Southport – July 21, 2016
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder bite inshore and on the reefs has picked up, and anglers are connecting with the fish on artificials (such as Gulp soft plastics) and live baits (such as mud minnows, finger mullet, and peanut pogies) on Carolina rigs. Bouncing bucktails off the bottom will also tempt bites, and tipping them with a flounder strip works well.
Small red drum (15-17”) are being caught inshore, with a few slot fish mixed in. Big reds have moved out into the ocean, but the occasional 40” citation will still be hanging out in the river.
The speckled trout bite is good early in the morning and late in the evening on topwaters, and they will hit curly tail grubs and MirrOlures in the back creeks during daytime hours. They are varying in size, from 5-6 lbs.
Sheepshead and black drum have been falling for bait shrimp on two-drop bottom rigs, with a 9.5 lb. sheepshead recently reported.
The spanish are running off the beach, and anglers are hooking 1.5-5 lb. fish trolling Clarkspoons, with the occasional citation mixed in. Light lining mullet minnows over reef structure has also proven successful.
The kings have mostly moved offshore due to the heat, but there have been a few sporadic hookups.
Bottom fishing around the Horseshoe and the Tower has been great, with big 4 lb. black sea bass hooked, as well as beeliners, ringtails, and grouper.
Randy Shrader with a 21 red drum he caught in the waters around Southport on a shrimp.
John, of Dutchman Creek, reports that anglers are having to work hard to hook up with the reds and flounder in the area. Reports of the fish have been relatively scarce, but anglers wanting to find fish should use live bait, such as shrimp and minnows.
The surf has been holding the usual variety of panfish, such as croakers and whiting, and they will fall for shrimp and cut bait on bottom rigs. Anglers have also been hooking quite a few skates, too.
Shark anglers are doing well in the evening and nighttime hours, and they’re having success fishing with assorted cut bait and fish heads.
Kate Thomas, of Benson, with a 22 black drum she caught near Bald Head Island.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the inshore bite has been quality over quantity, with the warmer water making fishing a bit more challenging. Mullet is the bait of choice when fishing around docks and creek mouths during the falling tide, but reds and trout will also readily take live shrimp.
Nearshore, spanish are feeding in deeper water earlier in the day and then moving into the shallower water along the shoals and beaches in the afternoons. Clarkspoons on planers are the ticket, and it’s been important to take the time to adjust the depth of your bait until the sweet spot is found.
False albacore schools are in the mix, and they will fall for Stingsilvers. Anglers will also hook small kings that are still feeding along the beaches and inlets.
Patty Miller caught this 21 flounder on a live mud minnow while fishing around the Southport area.
Wally, of Oak Island Charters, reports that the fishing in the area has been consistent. Red drum are biting live menhaden on Carolina rigs, and flounder will fall for the same set up. Spanish have been running strong just off the beaches, and trolling with a Clarkspoon is the best way to hook up.
Anglers looking to target sharks off the beach, including blacktips, should use cut bait, and they should start by targeting waters 2-3 miles off the beach.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that inshore the trout and flounder fishing is picking up, and both species have been falling for mullet minnows on Carolina rigs.
Big spanish are running off the beach, and they will fall for Clarkspoons behind a #1 planer. The fish are averaging 2-3 lbs., with some citations mixed in. While trolling, anglers are also hooking up with small kings and jack crevelle.
Offshore, African pompano have been reported, and they are taking live cigar minnows. The scamp grouper bite has picked up, but the mahi and king bite has slowed (with the fish moving south).
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are now connecting with the occasional flounder on the pier, and the flatfish are mainly falling for mud minnows. Live pogies are working well at landing spanish mackerel, and many of the fish are 4+ lbs.
Whiting, croakers, blues, pompano, and speckled trout are also being landed by the bottom fishermen.
The water temperature is in the low 80s.
Steve, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the trout bite is on in the early morning, and anglers are using live shrimp. Flounder are also biting, and the keeper-sized fish are falling for minnows.
Spanish are off the end of the pier and can be fooled with Gotcha plugs.
Tarpon are in the area, and a 140 lb. fish was recently landed.
