Southport April 26, 2012
Timmy Rayl, of Bolivia, NC, landed this 101 lb. wahoo after a 2 hour fight on 20 lb. line after it attacked a cigar minnow on the downrigger near the Steeples while he was fishign with Johnny Brown on the "M&M." Weighed in at Tatum's Seafood.
Scott, of The Tackle Box, reports that Southport-area fishing is turning on. King mackerel have shown up along the beaches, and several were caught from the Oak Island Piers and boats trolling from the shoreline out to Yaupon Reef. Live bluefish or menhaden are the best nearshore king producers.
Spanish mackerel are also turning up in better numbers by the week, and anglers are connecting with them along the beaches wherever they can find clean water. Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and torpedo weights will tempt bites from the spaniards.
Speckled trout and red drum action is also improving, and anglers are hooking good numbers of both on live shrimp around docks and other inshore structure, as well as in the local creeks. A variety of artificial lures like Gulp baits and Yo-Zuri 3D Shrimp and Minnows will also tempt bites from both fish.
Offshore, there are still big numbers of king mackerel feeding around Frying Pan Tower, where dead cigar minnows and Drone spoons trolled behind planers will get their attention.
Gulf Stream trollers are connecting with good numbers of wahoo and some dolphin while dragging skirted ballyhoo in the blue water. The wahoo bite was best a bit inshore of the break last week, so anglers should be careful not to overrun the fish.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the red drum bite has been excellent in the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers and local creeks lately. Live baits and cut mullet are tempting bites from the reds.
Flounder are on the feed inshore as well, and anglers can likely find a few in the local inlets. Live baits are the way to go for the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel have shown up, and trolling Clarkspoons in 18-20’ of water off Oak Island is producing some good catches (with most fish keepers and some to 2 lbs.). Some larger (4-5+ lbs.) spanish are falling for small live baits around Yaupon Reef.
Judy Oxendine, of Oak Island, with the first king mackerel of the year landed from Oak Island Pier. The 18 lb., 10 oz. fish bit a live bluefish on April 20th.
Some king mackerel have also moved inshore, and boaters are hooking them from the Oak Island beachfront out to Yaupon Reef. Live baits are the way to go for the kings, and schools of menhaden off Oak Island have been reasonably easy to find over the past week. Bluefish are a good backup if anglers can’t find the menhaden.
Offshore, the grouper are there and waiting for anglers when the season opens up May 1. Dropping live baits to bottom structure in around 100’ of water is the way to put them in the boat.
Blue water trollers are still catching good numbers of wahoo, along with blackfin tuna and a few yellowfins. Good numbers of dolphin are also making a spring appearance (most small but some gaffers). Skirted ballyhoo are tough to beat for the blue water predators, although smaller trolling feathers will often outproduce ballyhoo with the blackfins.
Angie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have caught king mackerel from the piers to Frying Pan Tower over the past week. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will both tempt bites from the kings.
Some have shown up along the beaches, and anglers are catching them while trolling Clarkspoons.
Good reports of gray trout came in from Yaupon Reef last week. Jigging spoons, bucktails, or live and cut baits will draw bites from the grays.
Pier and surf bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet and bluefish on shrimp and other baits.
Inshore, reports of speckled trout and red drum are coming in, but anglers have been tight-lipped about where.
Whitney Baker with a king mackerel that bit a live menhaden just off Holden Beach while she was fishing with Capt. Patrick Bryant of Twister Charters.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers landed three king mackerel while fishing live baits off the end of the pier last week (the largest 33 lbs.).
Plug casters are catching plenty of bluefish and some spanish mackerel when the water’s clean.
Flounder (many 16-18” keepers) are taking an interest in small live baits fished on the bottom.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp have found good sea mullet action in the evening hours recently.
