Southport – August 17, 2017
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that those tossing Gotcha plugs from the pier have found a good spanish bite in the early morning hours. Anglers walking the surf have also hooked in to a few spanish.
Inshore fishing has produced good catches of red drum, flounder, and speckled trout. Most fish have been landed when using live shrimp or finger mullet under a float rig or on a Carolina rig. Targeting creek mouths and marsh points has accounted for most of the fish.
At the nearshore reefs, anglers have had success landing keeper flounder. When fishing around the reefs, those tossing out light lines have also hooked in to quality spanish (in the 3-5 lb. range).
Kings and mahi have been scattered offshore, but anglers covering good amounts of water have boated a few.
Kenneth White with a 20 lb. hog snapper that ate a whole cigar minnow near Frying Pan Tower. He was fishing with Capt. Tom Sayre of The Mate Charters.
Davis, of The Tackle Box, reports that fishing live pogies inshore has landed anglers limits of flounder. Targeting creek mouths during falling water and marsh edges during rising water has been the key to success.
Those looking for speckled trout and red drum have found live shrimp to be the best method. Rigging them under float rigs and targeting marsh points and oyster structure has accounted for most of the fish landed.
Nearshore fishing has remained steady for those chasing spanish, and trolling Clarkspoons has landed anglers plenty of fish. Those looking for the bigger spanish have found the best tactic to be light lining live baits around nearshore structure.
Kings have been feeding well between 5-15 miles. Trolling dead baits or slow trolling live pogies has worked best. Most fish have been running 5-12 lbs., but a few fish in the 20-30 lb. class have been landed.
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing inshore has been hot. Anglers fishing with live minnows and bucktails have landed fish up to 7-9 lbs. Targeting areas like the Southport waterfront, Dutchman’s Creek, and Walden’s Creek has produced the best numbers of fish.
Those looking for speckled trout have found live shrimp hooked on a Carolina rig is doing the trick. Soft plastics bounced off the bottom have also worked for landing limits of trout.
Sheepshead have been holding well around the Oak Island Bridge and docks along the Southport waterfront. Dropping sand fleas and live fiddler crabs along the pilings has been the key to landing the sheeps.
Fishing along oyster structure and marsh lines with spinnerbaits and live minnows under float rigs has accounted for plenty of redfish action. Most fish have been in the 19-24” range, but a few upper and over-slot fish have been landed as well.
Black drum are feeding well in the Elizabeth River and Dutchman’s Creek. Fishing with sand fleas and fresh shrimp has worked best.
Nearshore fishing has been consistent, and those targeting the nearshore reefs are finding plenty of action. Dropping live baits to the bottom has produced plenty of keeper flounder, while light lining minnows has landed anglers good numbers of quality spanish.
Trolling offshore between Lighthouse Rock and the Shark Hole has produced some steady king action. Drone spoons and dead baits have worked best.
Dropping to the bottom is landing good catches of beeliners and black sea bass.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that trolling small gold, green, and pink Clarkspoons between Lockwood Folly Inlet and Frying Pan Shoals has produced good numbers of spanish. Targeting bait pods in 15-35′ of water has been the best way to fill the coolers.
In the 15-30 mile range, teenager kings are still feeding well, with some larger kings holding in deeper water. Trolling blue/silver Pirate plugs and Blue Water Candy shovel heads in pink/white and chartreuse are drawing the most strikes.
Tossing live finger mullet and shrimp around the nearshore reefs has produced keeper flounder and speckled trout. Some fish are also being landed on jigs tipped with Gulp soft plastics.
Bottom fishing remains consistent around the Tower.
Bobby Downes with a 29” red drum landed while fishing in the lower Cape Fear River with live mullet.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that anglers targeting redfish inshore have found lots of fish, but most are under-slot.
Fishing for flounder has been consistent inshore, with plenty of keeper fish in the mix. Targeting docks with live finger mullet on Carolina rigs has done the trick.
Nearshore spanish fishing has been excellent around structure. Light lining live bait has produced good numbers of fish in the 4-5 lb. range, as well as a few fish pushing the 6 lb. mark. Blacktip, spinner, and hammerhead sharks have also been feeding well nearshore. Tossing out large chunk and cut baits has been the best way to hook up.
In the 15-30 mile range, anglers are finding plenty of kings. They’ve ranged from throw-backs to 15 lb. class fish. A few mahi have been scattered in the same range, but the bite has been slow.
Bottom fishing out around the 20-30 mile range has produced good catches of beeliners, triggerfish, and grouper.
Out in the 35-40 mile range, anglers have found some larger kings willing to eat.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers tossing Gotcha plugs from the pier have landed good numbers of bluefish and spanish. Those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms have landed whiting, spot, croaker, black drum, and pompano.
