Southport July 29, 2004
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports one skyrocketing king mackerel but no landings; however, the spanish bit well and ranged up to 6 lbs. 15 oz. Pompano up to 2 lbs. are eating shrimp and sand fleas, as well as black drum up to 5 lbs. Flounder ranging up to 5 lbs. are eating live baits, and there is plenty of mullet around to net. Speckled trout in the 1 to 3 lb. class are eating shrimp and mullet, and spadefish are appearing as well.
Linda, at Southport/Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that kings, amberjack, cobia, barracuda, and sharks have been brought in from around the Raritan. The South 40 has been the place for bottom fish, with catches of large black sea bass, snapper, and grouper. The dolphin fishing is slow. There are a few out there, but they are not being brought in like several weeks ago. Flounder, along with trout and red drum, are still biting in the backwater/inlets. The flounder don’t seem to be hitting at Yaupon Reef like past weeks, but a few are still being brought in from out there. Spanish are still hot around Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Tommy, at Long Beach Pier, reports flounder up to 3 lbs. dominating the catch. They’re hitting live mullets. Speckled trout up to 3 lbs. 8 oz. are hitting mullet or shrimp, and a few red drum were also landed this week. Spanish to 3 lbs. are being caught off the end, while bottom fishermen are landing pompano, whiting, and spots.
Billie, at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports a few flounder, but it was slow fishing this week. There are plenty of bait around, and spanish are just off the beach. Kings are a little farther out, and they are in the school size from 8 to 10 lbs. Good reports of wahoo are coming in from farther out in the ocean.
Captain Richard, at Blue Water Point Marina, reports amberjacks and kings from around the Jungle, with more kings at the Horseshoe. Dolphin have been slow this week. Limits of spanish have been caught in the 14 to 18 inch range, and they are hitting trolled spoons on #1 planers. Kings are preferring live baits.
