Southport July 30, 2009
Conner Jordan, from Lockport, NY, with his first saltwater fish, a 2.9 lb. spanish mackerel that he hooked while trolling just off the beach at Oak Island with Dennis Bell on the "Steel'n Time."
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the hot weather and extreme wind, currents, and tides over the past week have made fishing a little tough lately.
Inshore, the excellent king and spanish mackerel bite along the beaches and at nearshore structure has died off, as the southwest winds have dirtied the water and the mackerel have moved out in search of cleaner water.
Once the winds moderate for a few days, the king and spanish should return to the beaches in search of a meal, and anglers can hook the spanish while trolling spoons and the kings on live baits.
Offshore, the king bite has slowed down a bit, too, but it’s still far superior to the inshore mackerel bite. Anglers can hook the offshore kings at structure 10-30 miles from the beaches while trolling live baits or dead cigar minnows.
The dolphin have gotten a bit scarcer, but anglers are still hooking a few while trolling for the kings. A decent number of sailfish have also been mixed in.
The strong currents have made the bottom fishing difficult as well, since not even outsized anchors will hold the boat in place and 20 oz. weights are drifting way off the fish before hitting the bottom.
When the currents slow up, anglers should be able to find action with gag, red, and scamp groupers along with other bottom fish at structure in 80’ and deeper. Dropping bottom rigs baited with cigar minnows, sardines, cut baits, and squid to the down current side of the structure is the way to get them to bite.
Conner Jordan, from Lockport, NY, with his first saltwater fish, a 2.9 lb. spanish mackerel that he hooked while trolling just off the beach at Oak Island with Dennis Bell on the "Steel'n Time."
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that anglers are catching speckled trout and flounder while fishing the creeks and bays of the lower Cape Fear River.
Live shrimp under floats or on the bottom will attract attention from the trout and flounder, and finger mullet will also draw some strikes.
A few red drum and bonnethead sharks have been in the mix as well.
John, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are hooking up with some flounder, spot, pompano, and puppy drum.
The speckled trout bite remains excellent off the pier for anglers using live shrimp.
The spanish bite was solid earlier in the week, but the strong winds dirtied the water and scattered the fish. They should turn back on when the wind eases up.
Offshore, anglers have reported the dolphin and king mackerel bite is still steady at areas like the Horseshoe for anglers pulling both live and dead baits. Several sailfish have been released in the area lately as well.
Laura Hendrick with an African pompano she hooked while fishing near Frying Pan Tower on a private guide trip with Capt. Rick Croson of Living Waters Guide Service.
Deborah, of Oak Island Pier, reports that the speckled trout bite continues to be excellent for anglers soaking live shrimp in the early mornings.
The shrimp and live mud minnows and finger mullet are fooling a few keeper and larger flounder.
Anglers bottom fishing with cut shrimp are hooking up with some spadefish.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are still catching big numbers of speckled trout in the mornings on live shrimp. Some large whiting and puppy drum are also falling for the shrimp.
Anglers are landing the pups (most in the slot) on cut mullet as well.
Bottom fishing with fresh shrimp has been attracting attention from some spot, whiting, and pompano.
Anglers picked up a handful of spanish mackerel (up to 2 lbs.) on Gotcha plugs before the water got dirty last week.
Some larger spanish (up to 4 lbs.) fell for live baits on the king rigs, and anglers landed a number of kings (the largest 28 lbs.) before the water got turbid.
The water is 87 degrees.
