Southport – August 18, 2016
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that the flounder fishing has picked up inshore, and several citation-sized flounder have recently been weighed in. Live bait will fool the flatfish, as well as throwing artificials. The Southport waterfront, Yaupon Reef, Cape Creek, and Cedar Creek are all strong places to look for the flounder, as well as speckled trout.
The speckled bite has been good in the mornings and late in the afternoon, and anglers should throw topwaters like the Zara Spook to connect with the fish. During the heat of the day, MR-17s are working on the specks.
Sheepshead are biting barnacles, sand fleas, and fiddler crabs right now, and those looking to target these crustacean lovers should drop bait right next to pilings. Many 3-4 lb. fish have been weighed, with a few citation-sized fish mixed in.
Black drum are biting bait shrimp around Dutchman’s Creek and Elizabeth River.
The spanish are running on the beach, and citation to almost citation sized fish are being weighed in. Kings, however, have moved back into deeper, cooler water, around 12-15 miles out.
Yaupon Reef has been producing quite a few spadefish, and anglers have connected with large flounder as well. The same live minnows used for the flatfish can lure a big red drum to bite, too. Those wanting to target the 30-40 lb. reds can use a surf dart and jig it off the bottom.
Peyton Bell (age 5) with a 30” red drum caught and released behind Oak Island. The fish fell for live mullet.
Annete, of Dutchman Creek, reports anglers on the pier are connecting with spanish, trout, and flounder. Live bait is the key for pulling fish over the rails.
Anglers off the beach are also connecting with spanish mackerel, and trolling Clarkspoons has proven effective.
There are a few reds in the backwaters around the area, as well as a few black drum reported as well. Live bait is tempting bites from both.
Craig Miller, Benny Burgess, and Al Keesling, all of Kannapolis, with their catch of speckled trout, red drum, flounder, and cobia caught near Oak Island using live bait. They were fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite around the inlets, Cape Fear River, and Frying Pan Shoals has been off and on over the last week. There are a large number of juvenile fish in the area, but anglers must pick through for the keepers. Green and gold Clarkspoons continue to be the go-to lure for the spanish.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs, and smaller finger mullet on a Carolina rig should produce results.
Red drum and flounder in the backwaters continue to bite consistently, and anglers can expect to connect with keeper-sized fish.
Mike Waite with a 25.5” speckled trout caught using mullet on the Southport waterfront.
Wally, of Oak Island Charters, reports that offshore anglers have been connecting with grouper and African pompano using live cigar minnows. The spanish bite has been hot as well, with anglers connecting with the fish using live bait over reefs and structure.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that offshore fishing has been great. Bottom fishing and light lining have recently yielded African pompano that are migrating through the area. Anglers dropping cut bait down, like squid, will hook black sea bass, snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and grunts. Dropping live baits can tempt bites from large amberjack that may also be in the area.
Kings and barracuda will also hit trolled or light lined bait, and anglers can expect larger fish when using this method.
Inshore, flounder fishing has stayed consistent, and anglers can connect with the flatfish using live mullet on a Carolina rig. Expect to also connect with scattered reds and trout using this method.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with flounder, whiting, blues, croaker, pompano, and speckled trout.
The water temperature is in the low 80s.
Steve, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the flounder and trout are biting early in the morning on shrimp.
Several spanish have been caught off the end of the pier, and they’ve fallen for live minnows.
There are scattered panfish around, but the bite has slowed in the heat.
