Added on Thursday, April 24, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport April 24, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that anglers are hooking up with Atlantic bonito to the west, around the General Sherman and 390/390, but not many have been sighted off Southport yet. They’ll probably begin feeding around the Lighthouse Rocks area soon if they aren’t out there already.

Bluefish are schooling and feeding at all the area’s nearshore structure, and it shouldn’t be long until some spanish mackerel are joining them.

King mackerel were feeding heavily at Frying Pan Tower a few weeks ago, but the bite slowed down a bit. The water temperature has come up since then, though, and the kings have likely moved inshore to the Horseshoe area.

Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent lately, with anglers hooking up with groupers, amberjacks, beeliners, sea bass, and other good-eating bottom fish. Boats looking to get in on the bottom action should anchor up on the down current sides of rocks, ledges, and other structure in 80-100′ of water, then send down cut baits, cigar minnows, squid, and even Gulp baits in order to hook up.

The Gulf Stream bite is picking up, with boats landing wahoo, blackfin tuna, and dolphin. The best action has been around the 100/400, Steeples, Blackjack Hole, and the Same Ole. Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted lures are tough to beat in the Gulf Stream, but anglers can also troll a bit faster with cedar plugs with good results.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that chopper bluefish have shown up. Anglers fishing large live baits from trolley rigs off the end of the pier are hooking up with the big blues (some approaching 10 lbs.).

Plug casters are catching plenty of smaller blues.

Bottom fishermen are catching good numbers of whiting, along with a few small flounder, some black drum, and an occasional pompano. Cut shrimp should appeal to all these bottom feeders.

The water temperature is 64 degrees, and it shouldn’t be long until pier anglers begin to see a few cobia.

 

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that overall the Gulf Stream action has been a little slow this spring, but boats making the run to the Stream are hooking up with some wahoo and blackfin tuna. A trolling spread of rigged ballyhoo should get the attention of just about any predators in the blue water.

Some warmer water has pushed inshore, and king mackerel are feeding in it. The bite is happening in the 150/300’s, around 30-35 miles off the beach. Dead cigar minnows should tempt the kings to bite.

Bottom fishermen are landing some big sea bass along with a variety of other bottomfish at structure near Frying Pan Tower.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that offshore anglers have been landing plenty of king mackerel around the Frying Pan Tower area. Most have been falling for Drone spoons pulled behind planers, but frozen cigar minnows should get their attention as well.

Bottom fishermen are also landing good numbers of grouper around the Tower. Cigar minnows should prove equally effective on the grouper as they are on the kings.

Closer to the beach, Atlantic bonito should be showing up on wrecks and other structure within 5 miles of shore. Small metal casting lures like Crippled Herring spoons will get bites from the bonito when anglers find them, and fly fishermen can also get in on the action with 8-9 weight outfits with sinking lines and Clouser minnows.

Bluefish are feeding in the same places as the bonito and on the shoals around the river mouth.

Inshore, anglers are still finding decent numbers of red drum schooled up in the creeks and around docks. Gulp baits will draw strikes from the drum.

Flounder are beginning to make an appearance around Southport, and a few up to 8 lbs. have already been landed around the waterfront.

 

Trent, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that bottom fishermen are primarily landing beeliners, with the grouper bite a bit slow.

 

John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking some big bluefish off the piers.

In the surf, a surprise run of early pompano are feeding (with many 2+ lbs.). Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs will get their attention.

Inshore, anglers are hooking up with speckled trout, flounder, and red drum off the ICW. Live mud minnows and Gulp baits will score bites from all three species.