Southport April 10, 2014
Capt. Cane Faircloth with a wahoo that attacked a red/black-skirted ballyhoo in the in 220′ of water near the Same Ol’ Hole while he was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters out of Holden Beach.
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that black drum are feeding around inshore structure (like boat docks and the Oak Island Bridge) and around oyster rocks in the creeks and marshes.
The drum are biting shrimp on bottom rigs.
Sea mullet have shown up around the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and anglers made some solid catches last week around the mud flats just off Caswell Beach. Shrimp on double-drop rigs are also highly effective on the sea mullet.
Red drum are feeding in many of the local creeks (most on the small side but some slot fish in the mix). Anglers are hooking the reds on a variety of soft plastic baits along with live mud minnows and shrimp.
Speckled trout are also feeding in the creeks and biting soft plastics, but anglers must release them as the season is closed until June 15.
Some flounder have begun to feed in the creeks and marshes around Southport, and they’ll become more numerous and active as the water temperatures climb over the coming weeks. Live baits or soft plastics will get attention from the flatfish.
Jonathan Lin, of Charlotte, with a 29″ red drum he hooked in a lower Cape Fear creek while fishing with Capt. Robert Schoonmaker of Carolina Explorer Charters. The over-slot red fell for a live mud minnow.
The water temperatures are just reaching the point where anglers should see bluefish feeding around the river mouth. The first to arrive will be on the small side, but anglers typically see some large “chopper” blues following close on the heels of their smaller relatives. The blues will bite a host of natural baits and trolled or cast artificials.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers found a decent wahoo bite offshore of Brunswick County last week, with the best action in blended water from the Steeples south. Most of the fish have been falling for ballyhoo behind dark-colored trolling lures like Blue Water Candy JAG Tweeners, and the action should remain good as long as the water along the break doesn’t get too cool.
Black sea bass are feeding around structure in the 60-80’ range like the Shark Hole. Anglers can find fast action with the bass while dropping bottom rigs baited with squid or cut baits.
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing some black drum, sea mullet, bluefish, and puffers while fishing from Oak Island’s oceanfront piers. All are taking an interest in shrimp and cut baits on bottom rigs.
Those making the run to the Gulf Stream have been connecting with some healthy wahoo.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that water temperatures are finally climbing around Southport, and anglers are starting to see some signs of life in the spring fishing. Red and black drum are feeding in the local marshes, and anglers can tempt them both to bite shrimp or pieces of crab. The reds will also take an interest in a variety of soft plastic baits or live mud minnows.
Some flounder are also starting to show up inshore, and anglers can fool them with live mud minnows or scented soft baits like Gulps.
The inshore fishing will continue to improve as spring progresses and the water temperatures climb further.
Offshore bottom fishing has been producing some solid action with large triggerfish and amberjacks at bottom structure in 100’ of water and deeper. There’s also a good showing of grouper for the season opening on May 1. Squid and cut baits are top choices for the triggerfish, and anglers can tempt the jacks with live baits.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that sea mullet, bluefish, and croaker are biting bottom rigs off the pier. Shrimp and cut baits are fooling most of the fish.
