Southport November 13, 2008
Capt. Butch and Barbara Foster, of Yeah Rigth Charters out of Southport, along with Ella and Dale Foster, from Lexington, NC, limited out on gray trout recently while jigging Stingsilvers at the WOLFES.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the winds have had the water dirty quite a bit lately, but there are still some fish to be caught.
When the water is fairly clean, anglers can jig the nearshore reefs with Stingsilvers or other jigging lures to hook up with gray trout and red drum.
The king mackerel have moved a bit further out, and they are feeding between the Horseshoe and Frying Pan Tower. As the water continues to cool off, the kings will follow the warmer water and bait, schooling in areas of 67+ degree water. Drone spoons trolled behind planers and frozen cigar minnows will both produce excellent results on the kings when boats can find them.
Bottomfish are still feeding at offshore structure and should be there all winter. Anglers should try to find a ledge or rock, and then anchor up so they can fish the downcurrent side of the structure for the best results. Squid, cigar minnows, cut baits, and others will all produce action with the bottom feeders.
Gene Young with a red drum caught and released near Southport on a live bait.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are still catching some nice spot on bloodworms and Fish Bites artificial bloodworms.
Some large whiting are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs. Many have been citation-sized fish over 1.5 lbs.
The shrimp are also appealing to some black drum (up to 6 lbs.) and some slot red drum (up to 7 lbs.).
A few flounder have come over the rails over the past week (with some pushing 5 lbs.). Live baits fished on the bottom should produce results with the flounder.
Bill O’Steen, from Oak Island, with a 6 lb. 2 oz. red drum caught while fishing from Ocean Crest Pier.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that boats have found solid action with king mackerel at the live bottoms surrounding Frying Pan Tower. The only problem is most of the fish have been small (undersized to barely legal). Drone spoons and cigar minnows trolled behind planers are both very effective on the little kings.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite is getting going, but it hasn’t reached full swing yet. Most anglers are hooking 4-6 per trip instead of the double digit numbers that should be on the way. The speck action has been best lately in the Elizabeth River, Lockwood Folly River, Shallotte River, and around Shallotte Inlet. Some puppy drum are mixed in with the trout, and both fish are falling for live shrimp, DOA’s, and Gulp baits.
Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout and puppy drum in Davis Canal. Mud minnows and Gulp baits are producing most of the bites.
Pier fishermen are decking decent numbers of spot and whiting on bloodworms and artificial bloodworms.
A few whiting are providing some action in the surf as well.
Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that black sea bass are aggregating at the bottom structure around the Frying Pan Tower, and anglers are catching them (some jumbos are 3+ lbs.) on bottom rigs baited with squid.
Snake king mackerel are schooled up in the same areas, and trolling with dead cigar minnows or spoons will put them in the boat.
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that the water’s cooling off, and the king mackerel are headed offshore. While the fish are small (averaging 5 lbs.), they are concentrated at this time of year. When anglers hook one, they will likely find the school. Drone spoons and dead cigar minnows will both draw strikes from the kings when anglers can find them.
Not many people have been bottomfishing with all the wind lately, but commercial divers are seeing good numbers of hogfish and grouper at offshore structure.
