Southport August 27, 2009
Owen Parker Bell (age 2), of Oak Island, with a gray trout he hooked on a live shrimp at Yaupon Reef. He was fishing with his father Wesley and uncle Tommy.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports the spanish mackerel bite was excellent before Bill’s swells, and the spanish should soon be right back on track. Trolling nearshore with #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers and trolling weights has been producing plenty of action with the spanish, and mackerel tree rigs behind trolling weights are hooking as many as four fish at a time when trolling through the feeding schools.
Shark fishing in the same areas where anglers are hooking the spanish has been productive lately. Fishing large cut or dead baits near shrimp boats or around nearshore structure is producing most of the action with the sharks.
Offshore, the king mackerel bite remains fair, and there are still some dolphin in the mix around structure like the Horseshoe and Frying Pan Tower. Live baits and frozen cigar minnows are both excellent choices for the kings and dolphin.
The sailfish catches so far this year have been pretty good, and there are still some feeding in the same areas as the kings and dolphin. Live baits are tops for the sails, but anglers may also be able to hook them on frozen baits.
Amberjacks are feeding on the reefs, rocks, and wrecks offshore of the area, and anglers looking for a hard battle can hook them on live baits or jigging spoons.
The bottom fishing has been tough lately due to super-strong currents, but anglers should be able to find areas where the current isn’t too bad if they’re willing to keep moving.
Fishing at structure where the current’s lighter will produce action with sea bass, triggerfish, pinkies, grunts, beeliners, groupers, and other bottom feeders. Live baits, cut baits, frozen baits, squid, and vertical jigs will all produce results on the bottom fish when anglers can get out of the current.
Chuck Andrews, from Lucay, VA, with a stringer of flounder caught near Oak Island using live peanut pogies. He was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Keith, of Stand’N Down Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been excellent lately, but the fish have been a bit further off the beaches than usual, with the best action around the 3 mile range. Green flash #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 planers seem to be doing the most damage on the spanish lately.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers on the piers are landing some solid flounder (up to 7+ lbs. last week). Live finger mullet are top baits for the flatties.
Bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms is producing action with some nice whiting and spot (both to over 1 lb.).
Some solid spanish mackerel are also biting on the piers, mostly on live baits.
Travis Justice, of Lexington, NC, with his first dolphin. The fish fell for a dead cigar minnow on the light-line while he was anchored up and bottom fishing near Frying Pan Tower with Capts. Butch and Chris Foster aboard the "Yeah Right II."
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that anglers are starting to see the flounder bite improve in the lower Cape Fear River. With the big tides lately, the best action has been just off the creekmouths. Live, Carolina-rigged finger mullet are the best baits for the flatties, but they have been a bit scarce lately. There are plenty of pogies of nearly every size around the river, but the flounder seem to be showing a preference for the mullet.
Deborah, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are catching decent numbers of flounder (with some keepers and some undersized). Live finger mullet or mud minnows will attract attention from the flounder.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some bluefish and spot on shrimp.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some fat spanish mackerel (up to 4 lbs.) on live baits and Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishermen decked some stout black drum and a 7 lb. spadefish last week.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom have been putting together some decent catches of flounder.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings, and anglers landed several (up to 6 lbs.) last week.
