Southport July 19, 2012
Randy Gauldin, of Danville, VA, with an 8 lb. sheepshead that bit a live shrimp in the lower Cape Fear River while he was fishing with his son, Capt. James Gauldin, of Whatever's Chewin' Charters.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with king mackerel (from schoolies to 30+ lbs.) at Long Bay spots in the 60-80’ depths. Live menhaden and live or dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from the kings. Some cobia and gaffer and bailer dolphin are in the same areas and falling for the same baits.
Bottom fishing out a bit deeper around structure in the 100’ range is producing plenty of action with gag and scamp grouper, beeliners, black sea bass, amberjacks, and more. Live baits are top choices for the grouper and jacks, while squid and cut baits will attract attention from the smaller bottom dwellers. A few large king mackerel are in the same zone and will bite live or dead baits on the light line while anglers are bottom fishing.
Closer to the beaches, the spanish mackerel bite remains solid, especially off of Bald Head Island. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in, and both are taking an interest in trolled Clarkspoons.
Large sharks are also looking for meals just off the shoreline, and anglers can tempt them to bite cut baits.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs and other structure out to around 60’ of water. Live finger mullet or peanut menhaden are tough for the flatfish to turn down.
Barracuda are feeding in the same areas and will pounce on live baits.
Inshore, there’s been a decent red drum bite on the flats, where topwater plugs are producing action. Some speckled trout are falling for the topwaters right around daybreak.
Scott, of The Tackle Box, reports that the red drum bite remains strong on the flats, in the creeks, and around structure near Southport. Live baits, topwater plugs, Gulps, and other soft plastic baits will all attract attention from the reds.
Flounder are feeding around the docks and other structure on the Southport waterfront, behind Bald Head, and around other structure. Anglers are hooking good numbers (and some quality citation-class fish) on live finger mullet and menhaden.
Speckled trout are feeding in areas of strong current near deeper water. It’s tough to beat a live shrimp on a float rig for the specks, but anglers may also tempt them to bite soft plastics and suspending hardbaits like MR17 MirrOlures or Yo-Zuri 3D Shrimp and Minnows.
Henry (age 9) and Emmett (age 7) Lovings, of Roswell, GA, with a dolphin that fell for a skirted ballyhoo in 100' of water southwest of Frying Pan Tower while they were fishing with their father on the "J. Wilbur."
Spanish mackerel are still on the feed just off the beaches, and boaters are hooking plenty while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and cigar weights.
King mackerel are somewhat hit-or-miss, but anglers are catching some at nearshore and offshore spots on live menhaden. The best action seems to have been east of the shoals lately.
Some dolphin have moved into the 15-20 mile range, where they’ll take live baits or dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo.
John, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some gray and speckled trout inshore in the creeks and around hard structure. Live shrimp and mud minnows or soft plastic baits will tempt bites from both trout.
Flounder action is still strong along the Southport waterfront, where live mud minnows, finger mullet, and menhaden or Gulp baits will tempt them to bite.
Pier anglers are hooking some sea mullet on shrimp and bloodworms, as well as flounder on small live baits.
Spanish mackerel continue to bite just off the inlet and along the beachfront. Anglers are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
King mackerel are feeding further offshore, where they’ll take an interest in live baits or dead cigar minnows.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some fat (3+ lbs.) black sea bass at structure near Frying Pan Tower. They’ll bite a variety of baits on bottom rigs.
Dustin Wheeler with a 28", 9 lb. flounder he hooked off the bulkhead at the Cape Fear Restaurant in Southport. Photo courtesy of Gary Duggan.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that some spot and sea mullet are biting shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs in the evening hours.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pier pilings and will bite barnacles or fiddler crabs.
The speckled trout bite remains solid in the early morning hours, when anglers baiting up with live shrimp are landing good numbers.
Flounder are feeding beneath the pier, and live finger mullet or shrimp will strike their fancy.
Anglers casting Gotcha plugs are connecting with some spanish mackerel when there’s clean water around the pier.
