Added on Thursday, July 3, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport July 3, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the beach spanish mackerel bite was fair before last weekend’s strong southwest wind dirtied the water. Larger schools of the spanish are feeding in the cleaner water 3-5 miles offshore, and they should move back to the inlets and beaches after the weather calms down and the water clears.

Spadefish are beginning to move onto the nearshore reefs. Anglers who chum with jelly balls and cut some up for hook baits should be able to find action with the hard-fighting spades.

King mackerel are feeding around the Lighthouse Rocks, Shark Hole, 15 Mile Rock, and similar areas. Surprisingly, last week the kings bit better on frozen cigar minnows than live pogies.

There are still plenty of kings holding offshore, and leaving out a light line while fishing over offshore bottom structure should produce fast action with them.

Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent, yielding big catches including groupers, snappers, triggerfish, amberjacks, almaco jacks, porgies, beeliners, pinkies, grunts, sea bass, golden tilefish, and some big sharks.

Squid, cut baits, and Gulp baits are producing the action on the bottom

The Gulf Stream bite has slowed down-typical for the hot days of summer.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that anglers are landing a few flounder between Southport and Buzzard’s Bay. The creeks off the Thoroughfare are producing some of the best action lately. Carolina rigs with live shrimp, finger mullet, or other baits will attract attention from the flatfish.

The river temperature is up to 83 degrees, which seems to have the trout bite near a standstill.

There are a few spanish still feeding nearshore.

Few people have been kingfishing due to the rough weather.

 

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that spanish mackerel fishing is still good, with boats landing 20-40 per trip while trolling Clarkspoons.

Shark fishing has been excellent between the beach and five miles offshore, with a number of hammerheads (some up to 6′) landed this week. Large cut baits are ideal for the sharks.

The king bite is still good at offshore spots 20+ miles from the beach. Dead cigar minnows have been effective lately.

Bottom fishing has been excellent for groupers, snappers, and a variety of other bottomfish at structure in around 90′ recently. Squid has been getting plenty of attention on the bottom.

The Gulf Stream has slowed down a bit, but anglers are still finding some dolphin (a few bulls to 20+ lbs.). The 100/400 produced a decent dolphin bite last week.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that while strong southwest winds have dirtied the water this week, the fishing has remained good.

Bottom fishing with cut shrimp has been producing an excellent summertime mixed bag including whiting, pompano, bluefish, puppy drum (slot-sized), some speckled trout, and a few spadefish.

Anglers are also hooking up with the trout (most are 1-3 lbs.) while fishing live shrimp from the pier, and the bite has stayed good all day recently.

The dirty water has hampered the spanish mackerel bite, but they should be feeding near the pier again when the winds calm down and the water clears later in the week.

Live baiters landed one king mackerel (just under 14 lbs.) last week.

The water is 82 degrees.

 

Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching some speckled trout and flounder from the piers and a few in the backwaters.

Some whiting are also biting in the surf and off the piers.