Southport August 10, 2006
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports that the bottom fishing is still good in the areas southwest of the Tower. It has been an assorted mix of the usual bottom fish, including some nice red and scamp grouper in the 100+ foot depths.
Try the areas around the offshore wrecks near the Tower. If you see an irregular feature on the bottom show up on your fish finder, don’t hesitate to check it out. These places are where they have been picking up hog nose snappers.
The king mackerel fishing is steadily getting better each day. There are some big ones being caught finally, and you may still get a dolphin hooked up. The dolphin, however, have been slowing down.
On the inside reefs and along the beach, it’s a “feast or famine” type of fishing for the kings and spanish.
The pogies have been consistent along the beach. Try looking around the Hot Hole or in the Cape Fear River. However, frozen cigar minnows seem to be working real well on the kings and the grouper.
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that not much has changed from last week.
They are still finding a few trout in the usual spots.
Flounder from 2-5 lbs. are biting well at the Southport waterfront and on the nearshore reefs.
Spadefish continue to be caught on the nearshore reefs as well.
Sheepshead catches on sand fleas are at the ADM Dock.
And the puppy drum bite remains solid, with catches reported inside at creek mouths and on oyster bars.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports an excellent week of fishing with a 13 pound king mackerel decked this week.
Pogies are holding along the beach, and tarpon are rolling through the baits off the end. Three tarpon have been hooked up and fought to the pier, but none have been beached yet.
A few nice spanish mackerel have been caught mixed in with the bluefish. They’re being caught by throwing plugs or live baits.
Speckled trout have been biting very well throughout the day on cut or live shrimp. Most of the better size fish have been 2 to 3 pounds, but a 6 pound 8 ounce fish was landed this week on cut shrimp.
Flounder have been ranging 2 to 3 pounds. Most of the fish are coming off live mullet.
A few citations have been awarded for pompano this week, with most of the fish hitting cut shrimp.
