Southport/Oak Island – June 2024
Blake, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that nearshore anglers are finding that king mackerel have started biting well as they make their way onto the beaches.
Spanish mackerel are around on the shallow beachfronts in pretty good numbers.
Anglers are starting to see some cobia in the area, and the cobia bite will hopefully only get better as more menhaden arrive.
Offshore runs have produced blackfin tuna and the occasional mahi.
Bottom fishing keeps rewarding anglers with a solid grouper bite.
Inshore anglers are hooking red drum, speckled trout, sheepshead, and a ton of flounder.
Garrett, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that inshore anglers focused on the hard structures are catching sheepshead and a bunch of black drum.
Some speckled trout are around, and they’re being caught around dock lights in the evening.
Surf anglers are landing whiting, black drum, and the occasional speckled trout.
When the area sees clean water conditions in the surf, some pompano are being caught.
Nearshore efforts are producing spanish mackerel, bluefish, and king mackerel. In addition, some cobia are now being spotted somewhat regularly.
Offshore runs are returning with catches of wahoo, blackfin tuna, and mahi (with some large fish mixed in).
Isaac Edquist, of Southport, caught this mahi in 130′ of water south of Frying Pan Tower using a skirted ballyhoo.
Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Fishing Charters, reports that inshore efforts continue to produce a handful of trout, even with warmer water temperatures having the bite scattered.
Red drum are in a summer pattern, so they can be found all over inshore, just not in any one area in big numbers. Anglers should target areas of structure for the best chances of getting strikes.
Black drum will be staged up around the inshore hard structures, and they’ll be feeding best on bottom-rigged shrimp.
Some smaller king mackerel are working their way onto the beach.
Spanish mackerel have moved in, and they’re being found from the beachfront out to the nearshore reefs.
A few cobia are being caught, but these early catches are mostly coming from anglers fishing structure in the 20-mile range.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that king mackerel have been biting really well, and they’re now being joined by the cobia that are showing up. Keep an eye out around any menhaden bait balls moving up the beach, as some cobia may be moving with them.
King mackerel continue to stage in closer, though the bite is still best on live bait out over structure in 50-60’.
Bluefish are all over the beaches, and they’re predominantly feeding around bait balls.
Spanish mackerel have arrived in good numbers and are just about everywhere (20-40’ depth range). Trolling Clarkspoons will produce numbers, with live bait or casting diamond jigs producing the bigger fish.
Speckled trout fishing has been fairly good moving into summer. The numbers aren’t great, but they are quality sized. Floating live shrimp has been the best tactic.
Red drum are scattered in the waterway and staged up around the shallower edges of docks.
A handful of black drum are hanging out on these docks as well, and they’re hitting bottom-rigged shrimp.
Anna Smith, of Nebo, NC, reeled in this 48.5″, 33.5 lb. king mackerel while fishing on the Oak Island Pier using a live bluefish.
Steve, of Reel ‘Em Up Charters, reports that inshore anglers are doing really well catching red drum and black drum back in the creeks. Both species are holding on similar structure, with the black drum hitting mostly shrimp and red drum preferring menhaden. Making sure there is some moving tide, whether rising or falling, is key in finding strikes.
Sheepshead fishing is picking up when dropping live fiddler crabs around hard structures and holes with underwater eddies.
Off the beach, there are a bunch of spanish mackerel, with trolled Clarkspoons producing most of the action.
King mackerel are being found anywhere from 1-10 miles.
The nearshore structures are holding a bunch of black sea bass and some quality gray trout. Shrimp will entice bites from both species.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the nearshore spanish mackerel bite has been solid, with anglers having plenty of success with Clarkspoons. The hot color patterns have contained gold, pink, or chartreuse.
False albacore are being found moving up the beach. Sight-casting Big Nic Spanish Candy jigs is a local favorite when it comes to casting metal into the feeding frenzies.
King mackerel have started making their way to the beach. The bait situation has been getting better by the day, and this will only fire up the kings over nearshore reefs and structure.
Cobia will also start popping up at these structured areas and around bait balls on the beach.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that beachfront anglers are seeing good numbers of spanish mackerel. The sizes of fish in these schools have varied from barely keepers to 4 lbs.
King mackerel are moving in and off the beach depending on conditions. The more consistent bite (for now) is being found further offshore.
Mahi are starting to arrive, with some fish already being caught shallower. This first wave is including fish up to 20 lbs.
Cobia are showing up over structure in the 20-mile area.
Bottom fishing remains excellent for anglers running out to the 80-120’ range. Gag grouper, larger black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and exotics such as rock hind are all part of the mixed bag.
Troy, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers live-baiting are starting to catch some king mackerel as the kings work their way onto the beachfronts.
A bunch of bluefish are hanging around, and plenty of ladyfish have also been showing up regularly.
Larger Virginia mullet are being caught on a variety of bottom-rigged baits.
The catches aren’t there just yet, but anglers are seeing a bunch of sheepshead hanging around the pilings.
Donna, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers at the end have been landing some king mackerel.
Throwing Gotcha plugs is producing spanish mackerel, and bottom fishing efforts are generating pompano, trout, and croakers.
