Added on Thursday, May 22, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport May 22, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that offshore fishing action has been solid when the winds die down enough to get out. Bottom fishing around offshore wrecks, reefs, and ledges is producing sea bass, cobia, porgies, grunts, triggerfish, beeliners, grouper, and others. Two-hook rigs baited with squid, cigar minnows, or cut baits will attract the attention of all these bottom feeders.

Good numbers of cobia are feeding in the same areas. They often go unnoticed until the curious fish swim up to the boat. Casting a bucktail tipped with a squid near the fish will likely result in a hookup. A live eel is an even better bait and a virtual guaranteed strike, but they can be hard to come by.

Good numbers of school king mackerel are also looking for meals around the offshore structure, and anglers can score with the kings by leaving an unweighted “light line” baited with a cigar minnow drifting in the current.

Plenty of amberjacks and large sharks are also patrolling the offshore bottom spots, and they will give anglers a workout when hooked up.

Boats able to make it out to the Stream will find good fishing with gaffer dolphin and some wahoo. A few blackfin tuna are still around as well, and a yellowfin bite is always a possibility. Billfish are also feeding in the blue water, so anglers should keep an eye out for a sailfish or marlin bill slashing through their spread. Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted trolling lures will tempt bites from the Gulf Stream predators.

Nearshore, the strong southwest winds have kept the water dirty, so spanish mackerel fishing has suffered. As soon as the weather calms down and the water clears, schools of spanish should be feeding between the inlet and structure in the 5 mile range. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights will get attention from the spanish and lots of bluefish.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that large chopper bluefish are taking an interest in live baits on the king rigs. Smaller blues and spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs.

A cobia was caught from the surf near the pier last week, so it shouldn’t be long until a few hit the planks.

Anglers are catching good numbers of speckled trout. Live shrimp fished beneath sliding floats are the best baits for the specks, but anglers also caught a number on Billy Bay Halo shrimp and Gotcha plugs last week.

A few flounder are falling for live baits on the bottom, but most are small.

Some whiting and pompano are showing an interest in shrimp fished on bottom rigs.

The water is 72 degrees.

 

John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still landing some speckled trout in the creeks. The trout bite has also been good around Lockwood Folly Inlet.

Red drum are also feeding in the creeks and around inshore structure.

Anglers are hooking up with decent numbers of flounder around Southport.

The piers are giving up good numbers of speckled trout and whiting.

 

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that structure offshore of the Horseshoe has been producing decent king mackerel catches. Troll dead cigar minnows for good results.

In the same area, bottom fishing has been productive for large sea bass and beeliners.

Boats are landing some grouper at the offshore wrecks.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the lower Cape Fear River is surrendering plenty of flounder and red drum right now. Live shrimp are producing the most reliable results, but anglers are also hooking up with both species on Gulp baits and other artificials.

High winds and dirty water have kept spanish mackerel fishing slow recently, but when the weather calms, the spanish should begin chasing bait in the nearshore waters.

Some bluefish are around, but the bluefish bite isn’t nearly a solid as usual for this time of year.

Cobia are showing up at spots from the Hot Hole out to the Frying Pan Tower, and it won’t be long until they’re feeding well along the beaches and at nearshore structure.

Boats have already landed a few king mackerel around Yaupon Reef. Some pogies are also showing up in the area, so anglers may be able to find some live baits for the kings.

 

Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that bottom fishing boats are bringing in some stout beeliners (some to 4+ lbs.). The grouper bite has been a little slow, and anglers are landing more reds and scamps than gags as of late.

When boats make it out to the Stream, they’re seeing a few dolphin and decent numbers of wahoo around the Same Ole. Commercial boats are connecting with good numbers of larger dolphin on the eastern edge of the Gulf Stream well to the south of the area.