Southport July 22, 2010
Jamie Gales with a 37 lb. king mackerel he hooked on a live pogie at the Raritan while fishing with his father Wayne.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel and shark bite was excellent along the beaches last week before the winds dirtied the water and made it difficult to get out the inlet.
Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers is the best way to fool the spaniards.
Large cut baits will tempt bites from the sharks, and anglers can find them feeding near culling shrimp boats or by drifting within a few miles of the beach until they find the action.
The last time boats could make it offshore, bottom fishing proved excellent for grunts, pinkies, beeliners, sea bass, and more. Rocks, ledges, and other structure in 80-100’+ are the places to find the bottom feeders. Dropping squid and cut baits to the downcurrent sides of the ledges will produce the best catches.
Some grouper are feeding in the same areas, and anglers can tempt them to bite live baits.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that inshore fishing has been tough lately, but anglers have been able to hook up with some quality red drum in the marshes on the Southport side of the river. Live shrimp and finger mullet and a variety of artificials will fool the reds.
Boats haven’t been able to get offshore out of Southport lately, but anglers making the journey up to Carolina Beach are putting together decent catches of spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons along the beaches.
Angie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still hooking up with decent numbers of drum in the area’s creeks and backwaters. Live baits, Gulps, spinnerbaits, and other lures will fool the reds.
Flounder are feeding in the backwaters and along the beachfront. Live mud minnows will fool them in both places.
Amy Carraway, of Kinston, NC, with her first speckled trout, a 3.75 lb. fish she hooked on a D.O.A. shrimp while fishing near Bald Head Island with Steve Lancaster.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the solid July fishing continues.
Anglers live-baiting from the end of the pier are finding some action with tarpon and king mackerel when the water’s clean.
Some large spanish mackerel are also falling for the live baits, and anglers are hooking smaller spaniards on Gotcha plugs, again when the water’s not too dirty.
Bottom fishermen are decking some black drum, spot, flounder, spadefish, and pompano while baiting up with shrimp.
Red drum and flounder are falling for live finger mullet, mud minnows, and other baits fished near the pier.
Anglers are picking up a few speckled trout while baiting up with live shrimp.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pilings, and anglers are hooking them on barnacles, sand fleas, and other baits.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that the strong southwest blow muddied the water and slowed down the fishing last week, but the fish are around and should be feeding again when the water cleans up.
Anglers did pick up some decent flounder (to 3+ lbs.) before the water got too dirty. Live mud minnows and finger mullet are fooling most of the fish.
The speckled trout bite was solid for anglers fishing live shrimp early in the week.
Anglers targeting sheepshead also landed some solid fish last week.
