Southport August 29, 2013
Joey and Deanna Matthews with four of 17 flounder they caught while fishing Yaupon Reef.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are still hooking big numbers of flounder in and around Southport. The bite’s been on in the creeks, around inshore structure like docks and rockpiles, and at nearshore structure in the ocean like Yaupon Reef. Live baits are fooling most of the flatfish, but anglers are also hooking up while working Gulp baits on jigheads and bucktails.
The speckled trout bite is getting better with the recent cool weather, and anglers are also finding the specks in the creeks and around inshore structure. Live shrimp are virtually unsurpassed as trout baits, but soft plastics, suspending lures like Yo-Zuri 3D baits, and even topwaters can prove effective as well.
Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas as the specks and flatfish, and they are also prowling the flats in the area. Anglers can search for feeding reds on the flats and cast topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a variety of other offerings with success.
Some big spanish mackerel have been feeding around Yaupon Reef and other nearshore structure, where they’ll pounce on a free-lined menhaden or finger mullet.
A few king mackerel are also feeding nearshore, but more are looking for meals in 60-80’ of water right now. Live menhaden and dead cigar minnows will get attention from the kings.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are catching solid numbers of large sharks within a few miles of the Oak Island beachfront. Most are falling for live and dead menhaden, and anglers are seeing a variety of species, including some hammerheads.
Matthew White (age 16), of St. Pauls, NC, with an 8 lb., 9 oz. sheepshead he hooked on a fiddler crab while fishing the ADM dock with family. Weighed in at Wildlife Bait and Tackle.
Spanish mackerel continue to feed along the beachfront, but the average size has dropped a bit from a few weeks ago. Trolled Clarkspoons are fooling the spaniards.
Offshore, bottom fishing in 90’ of water and deeper is producing plenty of action with large scamp and gag grouper, along with black sea bass and other bottom dwellers. Live baits like menhaden and cigar minnows are top choices for anglers targeting the big grouper.
Amberjacks and some African pompano are feeding in the same areas as the grouper and will also bite live baits.
Inshore, there’s still solid action with red and black drum and speckled trout in the creeks and backwaters around Southport and Bald Head Island. Live shrimp fished under floats are fooling all three fish.
Jon, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some flounder, red drum, and speckled trout in the creeks. Live finger mullet and shrimp (or soft baits like Gulps) will fool all three.
Anglers are hooking some sea mullet from the surf and piers on shrimp and bloodworms.
Caden Bolduc (age 9) and Fisher Broadwell (age 6) with a pair of flounder they hooked at some nearshore structure off Oak Island while fishing with uncle/father Andy Broadwell.
Out in the ocean, there’s been a solid spanish mackerel bite (and big fish) around the Hot Hole and Yaupon Reef. Trolled Clarkspoons are fooling most of the mackerel.
There was an excellent king mackerel bite for anglers live-baiting around Lighthouse Rocks last week, with menhaden producing most of the action.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet and spot while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some speckled trout are falling for live shrimp in the early morning hours.
Flounder are feeding under the pier and taking an interest in live finger mullet.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some speckled trout in the early mornings on live shrimp.
Spanish mackerel are biting live baits on king rigs and the Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
