Southport July 27, 2006
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports that this week has been good with the grouper bite off to the east side of the Tower. Most have been reds, with a few scamps thrown in. There are a lot of undersized grouper lately.
The dolphin bite has slowed; however, get on a good school and you can still have a good catch. Most now are peanuts.
The pogies have been around the “hot hole” or up the Cape Fear River around Sunny Point lately.
The African pompano are making a showing, with some being caught around the offshore structures in the 30 mile ranges.
The king mackerel bite is improving, with fish getting bigger. Many 20+ pound kings and a few 40+ kings were caught this past week.
The bottom fishing remains steady in the areas southwest and east of the Tower. They are doing well with black bass, grey snapper, triggerfish, joltheads, vermillion snapper, silver snapper, and grouper.
Inshore, the spanish mackerel are hit and miss, but lately it’s been more miss than hit.
There have been some spots already caught inshore, along with some blues, whiting, and speckled trout.
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports solid trout fishing in the Elizabeth River, around Battery Island, and at the mouths of feeder creeks in area marshes. The trout are averaging 2-2.5 lbs., with some bigger fish in the mix.
The flounder bite has been good both inside and off the beach. Inshore, the Southport waterfront, Oak Island Bridge, and Brown’s Landing are all good locations, although fish can be found near oyster reefs just about anywhere. The flounder are averaging from 3-4 lbs.
Nearshore, flounder are biting very well at the Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs. Carolina-rigged finger mullet or peanut pogies are the go-to baits for flatfish at these spots. Spadefish are also present on the reefs, and they will eat small pieces of jelly ball.
Puppy drum are plentiful in a variety of areas. Dutchman’s and Walden’s Creeks and the area behind Striker’s Island are particularly good places to look.
Hot water has the spanish mackerel somewhat scattered, but a few are still being caught by anglers trolling spoons along the beach early or late in the day.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports fishing has been good all week. The hot summer temperatures have not slowed down the fish on the beach.
King mackerel were caught all week, with fish weighing up to 33 pounds. A few spanish are being caught, with the biggest going 4 lbs. 7 oz.
Plenty of bait is along the beach to keep the big fish interested.
Sheepshead were biting around the pilings and weighing up to 8 pounds.
Speckled trout continue to bite live shrimp, preferably early in the mornings.
Bigger flounder are moving in, with many going 3 pounds this week.
Spadefish are around hitting shrimp and won’t pass up a cut piece of jellyball if you can find some.
Jim, at Yaupon Pier, reports spadefish and spots biting on the bottom, in addition to red drum up to 31 inches. Shrimp are the bait of choice.
Flounder up to 2 lbs. and nice trout are falling for live shrimp and minnows.
Some bluefish are hitting plugs, but spanish are few and far between.
Live baiters did not have much action this week.
The water temperature is 82 degrees.
