Southport June 10, 2010
Nathan Yow, son of Jeff Yow of Chatlee Boat and Marine, with a red drum that fell for frozen shrimp on a jighead while he was fishing off his dock at Oak Island.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite in the area gets better by the week. Anglers are spotting plenty of fish jumping right along the beaches, and they’re hooking them while trolling 00 Clarkspoons behind planers and mackerel tree rigs behind bird teasers. Casting for them with light tackle and small metal lures has been productive as well.
Bluefish are mixed in with the spaniards and will attack the same lures, but they generally prefer a slightly slower trolling speed (4-5 knots instead of 6-7 for the spanish).
The nearshore reefs are hosting a solid flounder bite. Carolina-rigged live baits are producing most of the action on the reefs, and larger baits like big pogies will attract attention from the largest fish.
Plenty of sharks (some 100+ lbs.) are feeding in the same areas. Large, fresh cut baits on wire leaders and stout hooks are the way to go for the sharks.
The king mackerel bite has been on and off, with most of the action lately coming on the nearshore reefs. Trolling live pogies and dead cigar minnows will attract bites from the kings when anglers can find them.
Trolling for kings further offshore (10-30 miles) has been producing some action, and anglers are seeing good numbers of dolphin in these areas as well.
Offshore bottom fishing has been quite productive lately, mostly around structure in 80’ and deeper. Squid and cut baits on bottom rigs are drawing attention from grunts, pinkies, sea bass, beeliners, grouper, and more.
The grouper bite has been better in 100’ and deeper. Vertical jigs will fool the fish, but it’s hard to beat some live cigar minnows that anglers can jig up from the structure where they’re fishing.
Amberjacks are in the same areas and will readily pounce on a vertical jig worked quickly.
T.K. Lewis, of Winnabow, NC, with her first dolphin. The fish fell for a live pogy while she was fishing 18 miles out of Oak Island aboard the "Uncuffed" with Preston Nowell.
Cobia are also showing up to investigate the boat wile anglers are bottom fishing. Live baits are tops for fooling them, and the smaller tomtates anglers catch while bottom fishing make excellent choices. Keeping a few alive and a heavy rod rigged and ready will allow anglers to take advantage of the opportunity if a cobia shows up.
The Gulf Stream bite is slowing down as the weather heats up, but anglers may still be able to put together some solid catches of dolphin after making the long run. Some billfish are in the mix as well.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding some solid flounder action in the creeks and backwaters off the ICW and river. Carolina-rigged mud minnows or other live baits are the way to go for the flatfish.
The flounder bite off the ocean piers has been solid lately as well.
Some trout are feeding in the same areas, and they will pounce on a live shrimp fished beneath a float.
The red drum bite in the ICW and backwaters is getting better, and anglers are hooking most of the fish on live mud minnows and spinnerbaits.
Some black drum are feeding around hard structure in the river and around the inlets, and they will take an interest in shrimp and crab baits.
Joseph Costner (age 9) with a king mackerel he hooked just offshore of Oak Island on a live pogy while fishing with his father and grandfather on the "Reel Affliction II."
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that there are plenty of dolphin feeding offshore of the area, but not many of the big bulls that anglers are used to seeing this time of year (most fish are up to 15-18 lbs.).
The grouper bite has slowed a bit as well, but anglers are catching some reds at offshore structure on the east side of the cape. Decent numbers of triggerfish are mixed in.
Gags are feeding in a bit shallower water (80’+) on both sides of the cape.
The sea bass bite has been solid lately, but mostly well offshore in 120-140’.
Divers are reporting good numbers of hogfish and spiny lobster at bottom structure in the vicinity of Frying Pan Tower.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are catching plenty of chopper bluefish (8-10 lbs.) on live baits and Gotcha plugs. Smaller bluefish abound around the pier as well, and they are so numerous they’re making it difficult to hook up with the spanish mackerel also feeding nearby.
The speckled trout bite is improving along the oceanfront, and anglers hooked good numbers (to 3.5 lbs.) on live shrimp and artificial lures last week.
Bottom fishermen are decking some pompano and smaller bluefish on shrimp, and decent numbers of flounder on small live baits.
