Southport June 23, 2005
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports a great week to be a king mackerel fisherman. There were 15 kings landed from 6/13 to 6/19. The biggest weighed 34 pounds, and king average weight was 25 pounds. The cobia have all but gone, but there were some tarpon sighted. Barracuda are also around to keep you busy. Spanish fishing has slowed, but a 6 lb. 3 oz. fish was caught this week getting John Jones a citation. Gotchas are getting bluefish, a few spanish, and baby king mackerel, so make sure you identify between a king and spanish.
Flounder fishing is picking up with some fish running close to 4 lbs. It will only get better now that the mullet are finally making an appearance along the beach. Live shrimp is catching pompano, with several citation-sized fish caught. Early in the mornings the speckled trout can’t pass up a live shrimp. Most of the trout are around 2 lbs., with some ranging up to 4 pounds.
Capt. Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that it was a tough weekend because of wind, but there were still some fish caught. Yaupon Reef improved, with catches of kings and cobia. There are also spadefish being caught at Yaupon and McGlammery, and the flounder are moving into these two areas as well.
Flounder continue to improve inside with the bite strong all along the Southport waterfront, around the Caswell docks, and at the entrance to Bald Head Island. For trout, you can also hit the Caswell docks and the entrance to Bald Head Island marina. Trout continue to bite in Cedar’s Creek and Strikers Island as well.
Another spot for flounder has been the seawall at Brown’s Landing. Got to the Phizer dock for sheepshead, and fishing the black bumpers there may bring up some big black drum. Phizer dock has also been producing a steady flounder and trout bite.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports excellent speckled trout fishing early in the mornings with fish running as big as 3 to 4 lbs., mostly caught on live shrimp. Big pompano, whiting, and a few spots are also keeping anglers busy. Flounder are around and getting bigger. More fish are keepers now. Bluefish are still around, with spanish mackerel moving in later in the day. Sheepshead are showing up around the pilings in good numbers. Off the end, no kings landed, but two hookups so they are in the area.
