Southport August 25, 2005
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports the best fishing has been for spanish mackerel and flounder. The flounder are running 2 to 5 lbs., and they are biting live mullets the best. Spanish have been ranging from 2 to 4 lbs., and they’re eating live mullet as well.
The kings have been finicky. There have been several runs but no good hookups. Plenty of bait is around to attract them in (as long as the water is clear).
Sheepshead fishing has been good for those targeting the species. Barnacles have been the “go to” bait, and the fish have been around 3 to 7 lbs.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports excellent catches of spanish mackerel up to 4.5 lbs. The best bet is to light line a mullet or a threadfin shad out to them. Flounder are still biting live baits very well, with fish up to 5 pounds this week. Bottom fishermen are catching pompano, whiting, and black drum. A few fishermen are targeting sheepshead along the pilings and still doing very well.
Jimmy, at Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that there were lots of flounder caught this past week, but there weren’t too many big ones. The heaviest to come in was in the 5 lb. class. Inside you can hit the Southport waterfront or drift the inlet. Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs have been doing really well with live bait. Around the Ella Wreck, guys did well with flounder on bucktails.
The reefs have also seen some spanish caught by guys light lining. They’re hitting 3-4 lb. spanish, with an occasional 5 lber mixed in.
Also, this week the big red drum started on the reefs. A few guys picked up some 30-40 lb. drum on flounder rigs.
There’s spadefish in the area, and your best bet is Yaupon, McGlammery, and the Ella Wreck.
For sheepshead, hit the Oak Island Bridge or around the Varnam Town fish house.
The ladyfish have been biting just about everything. Go at night to the Phizer’s Pier.
Redd, at Yaupon Pier, reports that the mullet are running good up and down the beach. The pier saw about 6 keepers on Sunday, but nothing was over 22 inches. On Saturday, they had a tarpon on but lost it after a couple of shakes.
A couple of guys targeting sheepshead had a great day on Sunday. They landed numerous fish, with the heaviest at 7 lbs. 15 oz. All were caught on barnacles.
