Oak Island September 2, 2004
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that there is muddy water along the beach, but a few fish decided to hang around anyway. One species still present is red drum from 3 to 4.5 lbs. hitting cut shrimp. A few specks ran 1 to 2 lbs., and a few flounder and bluefish were caught as well. Spanish, in the 2.5 to 3.5 lb. class, bit well earlier in the week. Bottom fishing produced some whiting and small spots. As the water clears this week, the fishing should only improve. Hopefully no more hurricanes will affect the fishing.
Tommy, at Long Beach Pier, reports that fishing was slower than average, but anglers caught spanish mackerel to 3 lbs. as well as some small flounder. Bluefish, whiting, and black drum were the catches of bottom fishermen. There is still plenty of menhaden and mullet around the pier and in the surf, so if the water will calm down the feeding fish should be back.
Billie, at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that kings and spanish mackerel are just off the beaches. Inshore, there have been a few reports of red drum catches. Flounder are still biting, and most of the fish are now keeper-sized. There are also plenty of spots and whiting on the beaches.
Linda, at Southport/Oak Island Sportfishing Charters, reports that the gulf stream has been hot with dolphin and wahoo. Offshore is still producing bottom fish (as in grouper and snapper), but not a lot of kings. A little closer to shore, the fishing is producing some good size black sea bass and spanish. These can be caught off the Lighthouse #2. Sharks, as always, are in the area and continue to bite. On the inside, flounder are being caught off of Bald Head Island on the ocean side.
