Southport August 17, 2006
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the fishing has been good and is getting better. The king mackerel are biting well in the usual spots around the Frying Pan Tower area.
The bottom fishing and grouper fishing is good, and it should get easier on the backside of this full moon and the current quits running so strong.
The bait fish and spanish mackerel are finally starting to make a decent showing in closer to the beaches.
The spade fishing on the inshore reefs has been good using “Jelly balls” for bait. Some nice blues have made a showing lately. Look for the king mackerel fishing to get better closer to the beach as the summer starts to wind down and the bait gets on the beach in larger numbers.
There are still a few dolphin being picked up offshore, but they are getting few and far apart.
The flounder bite on the inshore reefs has been real good, with some big ones being caught. The pogies have been more reliable lately and can usually be found somewhere around the West Cut, Grey Condos, Hot Hole, or most anywhere along the beach.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that king mackerel in the 10 to 20 pound range are around the pier. The kings have been following around the big schools of menhaden along the beach giving anglers the occasional smoking run.
Spanish mackerel are biting well, including a big 5 lb. 11 oz. fish caught this week.
Flounder fishing continues to get better every week, with some weighing over 4 pounds caught this week on live bait.
Pompano are still hitting cut shrimp, and the whiting have returned to be caught out of the surf.
Speckled trout in the 2 pound range are hitting live baits (preferably shrimp).
Doug, at Yaupon Pier, reports croaker, spots, and whiting hitting bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Trout up to 4 pounds are biting live shrimp, both on bottom rigs and fished under floats.
Flounder from 3 to 4.5 pounds are falling for live finger mullet on the bottom.
A few sheepshead have been caught.
Plug casters are getting some spanish mackerel.
The water at the pier is 84 degrees.
Jimmy, at Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing continues to do well in the area. The spots such as Battery Island, Strikers Island, Cedar Creek, and Elizabeth River are producing with consistency.
The flounder fishing has improved this week, with the two hot spots being the Southport waterfront and the mouth of Bald Head Island Marina.
You can also find a mix of flounder and trout around the ADM Pier.
Guys fishing the black bumpers of the ADM Pier have been pulling up large black drum, with the biggest so far this year at 50 pounds.
And sheepshead are also being caught on the pier piligs
