Southport – April 28, 2016
Nesbitt, of The Tackle Box, reports that flounder fishing in the area has been picking up, but a majority of the fish are still undersized. Anglers are having some success on artificials, but most of the catches have been on live mud minnows.
Both the trout and the red drum bite has been slow in the last couple of weeks. The few that are being caught are mostly around docks, and the strongest producer seems to be white Gulp baits with a chartreuse tail.
Sheepshead fishing has been one of the best inshore options lately, and the traditional method has been working:Â targeting docks and bridges and other structure with fiddler crabs.
The whiting are no longer in great numbers, but the fish that have been caught have been quality fish (with numerous fish weighing between 1.5-2 lbs.).
Offshore, the king mackerel bite has been good just inshore of the Tower. The fish are running 10-30 lbs. (with a 35 lb. fish weighed in this week), and most anglers are pulling dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo.
In the Gulf Stream, the dolphin bite has been impressive. Boats are finding a mix of gaffers and bailers, with one boat bringing home 25 gaffers. The bite has been best with dink ballyhoo complemented by Blue Water Candy skirts in pink, blue/white, and chartreuse. A few blackfin tuna have been mixed in.
Bryan Milliken landed this 26” speckled trout on a Vudu shrimp while fishing in the Southport area.
Annette, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that king mackerel are being caught out around the Navy Wreck.
Surf fishermen have reported some croaker and whiting being caught on cut shrimp.
A few speckled trout have been caught in Davis Canal. Gold Rapala X-Raps have been the go to bait for the trout.
Angie White, of Oak Island, caught and released this black drum she caught while fishing in Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait & Tackle, reports that speckled trout fishing has been great up in the creeks and the bay both early and late in the day. Live baits and artificials are both providing action with the specks. MirrOlure MR-17’s, curly tailed grubs, and topwater plugs have all been producing plenty of fish.
Flounder have been providing some good action around the Southport waterfront, with some also being caught out at the reef. Live mud minnows and pogies have been the best way to connect with the flatfish.
Red drum have been schooled up around Dutchman’s Creek with some over slot fish in the mix. The fish have been pretty thick, and the bite has been strong regardless of the tide or the time of day. The Precision Tackle’s Cajun Sleigh has been particularly great for the reds.
Black drum have been providing plenty of action around the Elizabeth River.
Sheepshead and flounder have been providing anglers some good action up on Archer Daniels Midland dock lately. Live fiddler crabs have been fooling the sheepshead, and live mud minnows have been fooling the flounder.
In the surf, whiting, croaker, bluefish, and pompano have been reported. Cut shrimp on double bottom rigs has been the go to set up in the surf.
Just off the beach, the spanish mackerel have shown up as well.
Pam Cornelison with a black drum she caught on cut shrimp while fishing in the Davis Canal on Oak Island.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that bottom fishing in 75’ of water is producing some nice catches of porgies, grunts, snapper, and sea bass. A bit further out in the 40-60’ range, some of the ledges and rocks are holding sea bass, but compared to previous weeks, there have been fewer keeper-sized fish caught.
As the weather settles down a bit, running offshore in the 25-30 mile range should produce king mackerel on cigar minnows or Drone spoons.
Steve, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with some small trout, whiting, and bluefish on bottom rigs with cut shrimp.
The water temperature is currently 64 degrees.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports whiting, bluefish, and blow toads are being caught, with the water temperature currently holding around 60 degrees.
