Added on Thursday, June 5, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport June 5, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that anglers are finding excellent spanish mackerel fishing along the beaches. A few Clarkspoons rigged behind trolling weights and planers and trolled near diving birds or other signs of life should be all it takes to produce some spanish.

Shark fishing has also been good near the beaches. There are a variety of sharks, including blacktips and bulls feeding nearshore, and large cut baits will attract their attention.

Some kings have begun to feed at nearshore structure as well. Live baits should tempt the kings to bite, and anglers may also be able to draw strikes on dead cigar minnows.

Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent recently with anglers landing grouper and some of the largest sea bass seen in recent memory. Targeting ledges, live bottoms, wrecks and other structure with squid, cigar minnows, and cut baits will produce results on the bottom feeders.

Cobia are starting to appear reliably at offshore spots where anglers are bottom and king mackerel fishing.

Some dolphin have moved inshore of the Gulf Stream and are now feeding at the Frying Pan Tower and nearby.

Gulf Stream action remains hot. When boats can make the long run, they’re returning with big dolphin, some wahoo, and yellowfin and blackfin tuna. Skirted ballyhoo, diving lures, and cedar plugs will attract attention from the Stream dwellers.

The blue marlin bite has also been hot lately in the Gulf Stream, and a number of releases have been reported from the Blackjack Hole and 100/400 areas.

Fishing should continue to improve as we slip into a calmer, more stable summer weather pattern.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that chopper bluefish (up to 12 lbs.) are still blitzing the pier. Anglers are hooking the big blues on a variety of baits, including live baits on the king rigs, cut baits on the bottom, and Gotcha plugs.

A 13 lb. king mackerel fell for a live bait last week as well.

Spanish mackerel have been taking an interest in Gotcha plugs, especially on rising tides in the afternoons.

The speckled trout bite continues to be excellent from the pier, and anglers are still catching some 10-fish limits of specks (up to 3.5 lbs.) while fishing live shrimp and Billy Bay shrimp beneath float rigs.

Flounder fishing has improved (with some 2 lb. class fish beginning to show up). Live baits on Carolina rigs will appeal to the flatfish, and anglers are also hooking them on the shrimp they’re fishing for trout.

Bottom fishermen are decking some sizeable pompano on shrimp and sand fleas.

The water temperature is 74 degrees.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that phenomenal spanish mackerel fishing continues along the Oak Island beachfront. Most boats are hooking the spanish while trolling Clarkspoons, but anglers who wish to fight the fish on lighter gear than the trolling rods are catching them while casting metal lures to fish feeding on the surface. The spanish are also responding well to flies.

A few kings are mixed in with the spanish, and a 15 lb. king fell for a Clarkspoon last week. Trolling large live baits will up anglers’ odds with the kings.

Speckled trout are still feeding well in the river.

 

Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, repots that speckled trout fishing has been good from the piers and surf. Live and Gulp shrimp will get attention from the specks. Inshore, anglers are finding trout near the mouth of Dutchman’s Creek.

Flounder fishing has been solid in the river over the week.

Spanish mackerel are running the beaches, and boats are picking up big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons.

Offshore, the king mackerel and dolphin bite has been excellent.