Southport – August 28, 2014
James Lutz (age 14), of Oak Island, with his first wahoo, hooked near the Blackjack Hole on a skirted ballyhoo while he was fishing with Steve Peloza.
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still seeing much of the same action they’ve had over the past month, but inconsistent weather lately has made getting on the bite a bit tougher than usual.
The flounder fishing in particular has slowed down in recent days, but the cooler weather means the action should be even better when it comes back around. And despite a slower bite, anglers have weighed in decent numbers of citation flounder (5+ lbs.) over the past week.
The flatfish bite should still be going strong when anglers can make it out to nearshore structure like Yaupon River as well.
Speckled trout are still feeding in the creeks and around Southport in spots like Battery and Strikers islands. Anglers are catching some fat specks on topwater plugs early and late in the day and hooking good numbers of smaller fish on soft plastics when the sun’s high.
Red drum are feeding in most of the same places as the specks and flounder, and the reds are taking an interest in live baits and a wide variety of artificials.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around inshore structure like bridge and dock pilings. Live fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and barnacles fished tight to the structure are the best bet for anglers looking to connect with the sheeps.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beachfront, and anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons from boats and working Gotcha plugs from the piers.
Jamie Spell, of Fayetteville, NC, with a 6.6 lb. flounder that bit a live mullet near Southport while he was fishing with Tim Lee on the “Second Cast.”
Anglers can also fool larger spanish mackerel (4-6+ lbs.) by free-lining and slow-trolling live baits around nearshore structure like Yaupon and McGlamery reefs.
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have been seeing some action with dolphin 14-18 miles off Southport over the past week. The ‘phins will bite both live baits like menhaden and dead baits like cigar minnows and ballyhoo, as will king mackerel feeding in the same areas.
The spanish mackerel bite has turned back on, and anglers are connecting with the smaller mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures along the beachfront. Pier anglers working Gotcha plugs and other casting lures are getting in on the spanish action as well.
Surf casters are reporting red drum along the Oak Island beachfront and hooking them on shrimp and cut baits. There’s also been some decent flounder action in the surf recently for those tossing live baits and Gulps into the breakers.
Flounder are feeding inshore as well, with creeks and structure like bridges and docks off the ICW some of the best places to look. Live baits and Gulps are tough to beat for the inshore flounder.
Anglers are also picking up some speckled trout while fishing the backwaters and creeks. Live baits and a variety of artificials will attract attention from the trout.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures within a few miles of the beachfront.
Austin Wood, of Wilmington, with an 8.8 lb., 27″ flounder that bit a live finger mullet near Snows Cut.
Large sharks are feeding in the same areas and will eagerly bite live, dead, and cut baits before providing anglers with some thrilling battles.
King mackerel have been feeding a few miles further offshore, with spots like Lighthouse Rocks a good place to begin looking. Live menhaden are tough to beat for the kings.
Bottom fishing has been producing plenty of triggerfish, sea bass, and other smaller fish, but the grouper bite has been a bit slow lately. Dropping baits to structure in the 100’ depths is the way to fool all the bottom feeders.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some panfish like spot, croaker, and sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms.
When the water’s clean, plug casters are hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas.
Flounder are falling for live baits fished under the pier.
Anglers are also hooking a few speckled trout on live shrimp early in the mornings.
