Southport – April 26, 2018
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that some sharks and big skates have been landed in the surf lately.
Several chopper bluefish have been caught from the beaches. They’re falling for both mullet and artificials.
In the surf and river, some nice black drum (12-18”) are around, with shrimp being the go to bait.
In the backwaters, the redfish are biting on artificials like Vudu shrimp and fresh shrimp.
On the backside of Bald Head, the whiting bite has been on fire. Fresh shrimp on the bottom has proved the most successful.
Offshore, between 5-10 miles, the black sea bass bite remains steady. Further out, the wahoo and tuna bite has been providing anglers with plenty of action.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the offshore action continues to improve with each passing week.
Bottom dwellers (such as sea bass and grunts) along ledges, rocks, and wrecks are hungry and will go for double drop bottom rigs with squid or cut bait. Squid-tipped bucktails will draw strikes from some of the larger black sea bass.
Triggerfish and snappers are holding in a little deeper water, but with the wahoo and blackfin bite in the same waters, it is worth the ride.
Schooling kings are still feeding in the 90-100’ depths around structure, but the action is starting to move closer to the beach, with some nice fish coming over the rail in the 30 mile area.
Along the beach, small to 10 lb. and up bluefish are starting to move through the area. They’re targeting large bait schools that are hanging out in 20-40’ of water.
The whiting bite continues to be good along the beaches and at the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
Andy Smith, of Colorado, with a 62″ wahoo caught while high speed trolling a custom KJ lure around the Steeples ledge aboard the “Crabby Daddy.”
Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Charters, reports that the red and black drum have been active in the backwater, despite the recent poor weather. Mud minnows and 5/8 oz. bucktails tipped with Gulp shrimp have fooled the redfish. For the black drum, fresh shrimp has been the key.
A few flounder are being caught in creeks, but most have been undersize. The bite should begin to pick up in the next few weeks.
In the river, the whiting bite has been strong. Shrimp on the bottom remains the best method.
Offshore, schools of king mackerel are being found close to the tower, along with some nice keeper sea bass on the bottom.
Near the Nipple, some wahoo along with yellowfin tuna have been reported.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish are biting well up in the creeks, and they’re falling for Carolina-rigged fresh shrimp.
In the same areas as the reds, there are some black drum around. They can also be targeted with fresh shrimp on the bottom.
Offshore (when the weather allows), there are plenty of keeper king mackerel to be found. Trolling cigar minnows around the 35 mile range has produced good numbers of fish.
Aubrey Ricker with a king mackerel caught while trolling offshore out of Southport. She was fishing with her father, Brad Ricker.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that the first spanish mackerel have started to show, but they aren’t in thick just yet.
Many bluefish remain on and around the beach, ranging from smaller to chopper-sized. They’re falling for cut bait, spoons, and topwaters (at the right conditions).
In around 40’ of water, there are plenty of keeper sea bass. Cut squid on the bottom has been the most productive for these fish.
Around the tower, there are lots of king mackerel. Trolling baits such as cigar minnows has been successful, and it has also produced some blackfin tuna in the same areas. The kings can now be found inshore of the tower, too, as they begin moving closer in.
Steve, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the pier fishing has been somewhat slow, especially with the recent weather.
Anglers throwing Gotcha plugs have connected with some decent bluefish.
Those dropping shrimp to the bottom have landed a few whiting.
