Southport – July 23, 2015
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers continue to encounter some cobia and king mackerel within a few miles of the beachfront at Oak Island. Both are taking an interest in live baits like menhaden.
The spanish mackerel bite remains good closer to the beachfront. Anglers are hooking the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and torpedo sinkers. Some larger spanish are falling for live baits alongside the kings and cobia as well.
Inshore, there’s been some excellent sheepshead action at the ADM dock and other inshore structure around Southport. The sheeps are falling for live fiddler crabs and sand fleas fished tight to the pilings.
Black drum are in many of the same areas and biting the same baits along with cut shrimp.
Anglers are seeing plenty of red drum in the creeks and marshes. They’ll bite live baits, topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a host of other offerings.
Some large speckled trout continue to take an interest in topwater plugs in the early morning and late evening hours in the creeks and near inlets. Anglers are hooking smaller specks through the day on soft plastics and MirrOlures.
The flounder bite remains solid near Southport, where anglers are hooking big numbers of fish on live baits along with Gulps and other soft artificials.
T.J. Farrington (age 14), of High Point, with a 5 lb., 4 oz. spanish mackerel that struck a live finger mullet off Oak Island Pier.
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still hooking good numbers of speckled trout and red drum in the area’s backwaters and creeks. Both fish are biting topwater plugs, soft plastics, live baits and more.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that offshore bottom fishing has been productive recently. Dropping live baits to structure in 100-200’ of water is tempting bites from large gag, scamp, and red groupers. Targeting smaller bottom dwellers has been effective as well, with big numbers of beeliners, triggerfish, sea bass, and more finding their way to the fish box. Squid and cut baits are tough to beat for the smaller fish.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches, and trollers are tempting them to bite Clarkspoons.
Plenty of sharks in the same areas are biting cut baits readily.
Inshore, there’s been some solid flounder action for local anglers, with a few red drum and speckled trout mixed in.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with big numbers of king mackerel while trolling 15-25 miles off the beach. Most are falling for dead cigar minnows and live baits. Plenty of dolphin are in the same areas and taking an interest in the same baits.
Bottom fishing at similar spots in 80-100’ of water has been producing solid action with gag and scamp grouper recently. The groupers are taking an interest in live, dead, and cut baits.
Closer to the beaches, anglers are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
Large sharks are in the same areas and won’t take long to find a cut bait drifted behind the boat.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some large spanish mackerel (to nearly 8 lbs.) on live baits fished off the end of the pier.
Smaller spanish mackerel and bluefish are also around the pier and biting Gotcha plugs and straw rigs, but dirty water has hampered the bite on some recent days.
Anglers soaking live shrimp of the pier are connecting with big numbers of speckled trout in the early morning hours, and they’re seeing a decent bite in the evenings as well.
The water is 82 degrees.
