Southport July 14, 2011
Chalin Waters, of Sherwood, AR, with a citation flounder she hooked on a live menhaden near Bald Head Island while she was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is solid right now, with most of the fish falling for 00 Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs, where live finger mullet and small menhaden are producing plenty of bites.
Large sharks are feeding along the beaches and just offshore, and a fresh cut bait is tough for them to turn down.
King mackerel fishing has been good one day and poor the next offshore of the area. When they’re biting, live menhaden, mullet, and cigar minnows are tempting the kings to eat. Some sailfish and dolphin have been mixed in with the kings.
Offshore bottom fishing is producing plenty of action with grouper, black sea bass, grunts, snappers, and plenty of other fish. The action’s been best in 100’ and deeper. Live baits are top choices for the grouper, while the other bottom feeders will take an interest in cut baits or squid.
Gulf Stream trollers found a solid wahoo bite last week, somewhat unusual for July. Rigged ballyhoo and a variety of trolling lures will tempt the wahoo to bite.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that there’s been a decent king mackerel bite at spots in around 80’ over the past week (with several 20-30 lb. fish as well as plenty smaller). Dead cigar minnows have been producing most of the king mackerel action. Some dolphin are mixed in with the kings and falling for the same baits.
Bottom fishing around structure in the same areas is producing action with black sea bass, grunts, snappers, and other fish. Cut baits have been fooling the bottomfish.
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel bite remains solid for anglers trolling Clarkspoons along the beachfront and just offshore.
Large sharks are feeding along the beaches and will pay attention to fresh cut baits.
Inshore, the flounder bite is still on in the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte rivers and inlets. Gulp baits or live finger mullet and small menhaden will fool the flatfish.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are hooking up with some flounder and a few drum while fishing the marshes, creeks, and inshore structure off the lower Cape Fear River. The bite’s been early, with most of the action done by 10:00 in the morning, and live shrimp and finger mullet have been tempting the fish to bite.
There was a decent king mackerel bite at Lighthouse Rocks last week. Live menhaden are the way to go for the kings.
Sara Moore, of Wilmington, with her first flounder, a 6.3 lb. fish she landed in Snows Cut on a Penn Battle 2000 while fishing on the "SamSara."
Angie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching some whiting, speckled trout, and sheepshead from the Oak Island piers.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches and just offshore, and anglers in boats are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite is decent in the backwaters. Live finger mullet and mud minnows will tempt bites from both.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are picking up some speckled trout and a few large (some 2+ lbs.) pompano while fishing live shrimp from the pier in the early mornings. Some red drum are also taking an interest in the shrimp.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and biting barnacles, sand fleas, and other baits.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits on the bottom.
Plug casters are connecting with a few spanish mackerel.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are catching a few speckled trout in the early morning hours on live shrimp. Some pompano (in the 2 lb. class) are also falling for the shrimp.
Anglers fishing small live baits are catching a few flounder.
