Southport July 1, 2010
Daryl Ammons with a 9 lb., 8 oz. flounder he hooked and landed in the surf of Oak Island beneath Ocean Crest Pier.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that strong SW winds over the past week have dirtied the water and made even leaving the inlet to fish challenging lately.
Anglers are catching some spanish mackerel along the beaches when they can get out. Trolling with Clarkspoons and mackerel tree rigs is the most effective way to find the fish, but anglers can also cast to breaking schools with small metal lures to hook up on lighter tackle.
Some king mackerel have been feeding at the Shark Hole and similar spots. Dead cigar minnows on dead bait rigs are producing action with the kings when anglers have the weather to make it out that far.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that the winds have kept most anglers inshore lately, but the fishing hasn’t been bad.
Anglers are hooking up with good numbers of flounder around the river, backwaters, and docks and marinas in the area. Carolina-rigged live baits like mud minnows, peanut pogies, and finger mullet are the baits of choice for the flatfish.
Kendall Hendrick with a dolphin that fell for a cedar plug near the Same Ol' Hole while he was fishing out of Bald Head Island on the "Wanted One."
Fishing live shrimp around inshore structure in the Southport area has been producing some action with speckled trout and black drum.
Red drum are feeding in the creeks and backwaters off the river, and they will take an interest in spinnerbaits, Gulps, other lures, and live baits.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the flounder bite’s been solid in the Cape Fear River lately, with good numbers of quality fish reported. Live peanut pogies or other baits on Carolina rigs are the way to go for the flatfish.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are finding action with some whiting, spots, and black drum in the dirty water created by last week’s winds. Shrimp are drawing bites from all three.
The flounder action is still good for anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom.
Some fat sheepshead are feeding around the pier’s pilings, but not many people are fishing for them.
A few intermittent spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs, but the water’s a bit dirty for them.
Michael Kiker, of Union County, NC, with a 27" red drum he hooked on shrimp while fishing from Oak Island Pier.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that there’s recently been a surprising spot bite for mid-June. Bottom fishermen are also decking a mixed bag of spadefish, whiting, bluefish, and some fat pompano (a few 2+ lb. citation fish). Shrimp baits are producing the best results.
There’s still a decent flounder bite going on under the pier for anglers fishing small live baits.
The spanish mackerel bite has been slow due to dirty water, but anglers have been picking up a few when the clean water moves onto the beach during the evening high tide cycles.
