Southport April 28, 2011
Alex Pipes with a 72 lb. wahoo that fell for a skirted ballyhoo behind a planer south of the Steeples while he was trolling the Gulf Stream with Scott Cothran and Derrick Drinkall.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the area’s Gulf Stream fishing is turning on strong, with boats trolling ballyhoo and high-speed lures in the blue water connecting with wahoo, blackfin tuna, a few yellowfins, and some early dolphin.
Vertical jiggers working the edge of the break are hooking large amberjacks, more blackfin tunas, and some fat groupers (which must be released until May 1).
King mackerel have shown up around Frying Pan Tower, and anglers can hook them while trolling live baits or dead cigar minnows around bait concentrations and temperature breaks in the area. Plenty of amberjacks are also in the Tower area, and they’ll strike live baits or a variety of lures.
Bottom fishing near the Tower is producing plenty of action with large black sea bass and grouper (the sea bass must be released until June 1st, but anglers can begin keeping grouper this Sunday). The bite should remain strong as the bottomfish seasons open up and anglers can take some of these delicious fish home. Live baits, large cut and dead baits, and vertical jigs are the best ways to target the grouper.
Spanish mackerel have shown up along the beaches, but the bluefish are so numerous it can be difficult to get a lure to the Spaniards. Trolling small Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers will draw plenty of bites from both species.
Large sharks (many 100-150 lbs.) have also shown up along the beaches, and anglers can hook up with one of the big predators while drifting just offshore with large cut baits.
No king mackerel reports have come in from the beachfront as of this writing, but any day now, anglers should see a few large kings that have followed the bluefish and spanish inshore.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers hooked the first king mackerel from an Oak Island pier this week. It was lost in the pilings, but there should be a few more in the vicinity.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches. Anglers can hook up with both while working Gotcha plugs from the piers or trolling Clarkspoons and other small lures from boats.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen are still catching some sea mullet, and a large pompano was reported last week as well. Shrimp are the top choice for both fish.
Some flounder are feeding along the beachfront, but the lion’s share are still on the small side.
Red drum are feeding in the creeks and marshes in the backwaters, and anglers can tempt them to bite live mud minnows, Gulp baits, and a variety of other lures.
Ryan Rayfield with a 30" red drum he hooked near Southport on a live mud minnow.
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that Gulf Stream trollers returned to the docks with some wahoo, smaller blackfin tuna, and a few large cobia last weekend. Trolled ballyhoo are the way to go for the blue water predators.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that plug casters are catching plenty of bluefish (12-18”) and a few spanish mackerel. The spanish will become more numerous over the coming weeks.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, croaker, small spots, and small flounder while baiting up with shrimp.
Bertha, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that some chopper bluefish are starting to fall for live baits on king rigs off the end of the pier.
Plenty of smaller blues are taking an interest in plugs worked from the planks.
Sea mullet and small flounder are taking an interest in shrimp on bottom rigs near the pier.
