Southport August 19, 2004
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the fishing conditions will continue to improve as the water clears and the fish begin to eat again. Before the storm, the pier had a good week with John Jones catching not one but two king mackerels weighing 42 lbs. 7 oz. and 28 lbs. 2 oz. Spanish mackerel to 3.5 lbs. were also landed. Whiting, pompano, and bluefish catches came in. There were some nice speckled trout caught, weighing up to 3 lbs. A 6 lb. 5 oz. red drum was landed, and the flounder up to 4 lbs. are still biting live baits on the bottom. Other bottom catches include some black drum on shrimp or sand fleas.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports that Hurricane Charley’s 80 mph winds slowed the fishing, but as soon as it calmed the spots and whiting were back to biting. The pier stayed open throughout the storm, and it only suffered roof and sign damage. The water is still dirty, but conditions are calm. It shouldn’t take long to settle and the fish to return. Before the storm, catches included a 4 lb. 11 oz. black drum, keeper size flounder, pompano, and speckled trout.
John, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that before the low pressure of Charley there had been plenty of red grouper and scamps. Guys were also picking up some beeliners, with most weighing in at 1 to 2 lbs. The charter boats had primarily been putting people on amberjacks to get in some fishing action. There hasn’t been much to report since the storm. The hurricane should have pushed in some of the blue water/gulf stream water. All of the freshwater will get the crabs and spots moving. It will also push the shrimp to just outside.
Billie, at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports no damage from Hurricane Charley and very few fishing reports. Fishing should get back to normal in the next few days as the river cleans up and the beaches settle. The bait will still be around, so the fish won’t leave. The fishing should improve daily.
