Added on Thursday, August 15, 2013  Fish Post

Southport August 15, 2013

J.D., of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers saw some of the best flounder fishing they’ve seen all year over the past week and weekend. Many found limit catches (with good numbers of 5-6 lb. fish). Live finger mullet and menhaden are producing most of the flatfish, but anglers are also hooking up while working Gulp baits. The fish are biting around the docks and other structure along the Southport waterfront, in the creeks, and out at nearshore structure in the ocean.

The speckled trout bite remains solid in the creeks and around grass islands, rocks, and other spots in the Cape Fear River as well. Live shrimp are far and away the best bets for the specks, but anglers are also hooking up while working Gulp baits and other soft plastics. A few are falling for topwater plugs in the early morning hours as well.

Red drum are looking for meals in the marshes and are scattered where anglers are hooking the flounder and trout. Live baits, topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a variety of other artificial lures will attract attention from the reds.

Anglers are hooking black drum around rocks and dock and bridge pilings in the area. Live and fresh shrimp are tough for the striped drum to turn down.

Out in the ocean, anglers are reporting an improving spanish mackerel bite, along with some bluefish and jack crevalle. Trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures within a few miles of the beachfront is the way to fool all three fish.

King mackerel action has been solid at spots off Carolina Beach and around the Shark Hole on the west side of the shoals. Most of the kings are taking an interest in live baits like menhaden, but anglers can also hook up while pulling dead cigar minnows.

John, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that pier and surf anglers have been hooking some spot, sea mullet, and bluefish on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, bloodworms, and cut baits.

Those fishing live shrimp from the ocean piers are finding plenty of speckled trout.

Some flounder are also feeding under the piers and biting live shrimp and mud minnows.

Inshore, there’s been good action with speckled trout, flounder, and puppy drum in the creeks. Live baits and Gulps are attracting attention from all three predators.

Offshore, there was an excellent king mackerel bite for anglers trolling dead cigar minnows around 18 Mile Rocks last week. Live baits like menhaden will also fool the kings.

Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been inconsistent lately, with solid fishing some days followed by little-to-no action on others. Trolling Clarkspoons along the beachfront and the shoals is the way to fool the spaniards when anglers can find them.

Large sharks are feeding in many of the same areas and will pounce on live, dead, or cut baits.

Flounder fishing has been solid all over the area, with anglers hooking fish at nearshore structure like Yaupon and McGlamery reefs, around Bald Head Island, and at structure in the river and ICW. Live finger mullet are tempting big numbers of bites from the flatfish.

Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas as the flounder, but the bite’s a bit slower than it was a few weeks ago. Finger mullet are drawing strikes from the reds that are chewing.

Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that sea mullet and spot are biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.

Anglers are hooking a few bluefish while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.

Anglers baiting up with live shrimp are hooking some speckled trout.

And live finger mullet are fooling some flounder under the pier (including a 6.5 lb. fish this week).

Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that speckled trout are taking an interest in live shrimp around the pier.

Some flounder are biting finger mullet and other small live baits.

Bottom fishermen are hooking spot and croaker on shrimp.