Southport July 5, 2007
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that king mackerel and dolphin are still feeding throughout the offshore waters. The dolphin bite has begun to fade, but there are still plenty around. Hungry sharks and barracuda are making landing the kings and dolphin a challenge, however.
Grouper fishing has been hot. The catch is made up of mostly red grouper east of the Tower, with gags and scamp feeding west and southwest of the tower. The best grouper fishing is in 100+’ of water right now.
Grunts, beeliners, sea bass, and porgies are feeding at nearly any rock ledge situated appropriately for the direction the current is running. Squid and cut baits should produce plenty of bites from these tasty fish, along with some big sharks.
Inshore, spadefish are hanging around the shallower reefs. Jelly balls make the best spadefish baits. Anglers can chum the fish up to the boat by dropping jelly balls tied to a cord to the bottom and then slowly retrieving up towards the boat.
Flounder fishing on the nearshore reefs is heating up. Fish with Carolina-rigged finger mullet for the best action on the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been hit-or-miss due to the unstable weather and “clean one day/dirty the next” water.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing black drum (up to 5 lbs.) and pompano on cut shrimp. Those fishing at night are catching good number of spadefish on shrimp and cut jelly balls.
Speckled trout fishing has slowed down some, but anglers are still decking some trout by fishing live shrimp in the early morning hours.
Flounder, with many in the 3-4 lb. class, are biting live mud minnows and finger mullet fished on the bottom.
Sheepshead are milling around the pilings, and some are over 10 lbs.
Plenty of bluefish are hitting Gotcha plugs, but the spanish mackerel bite has slowed. Some large 4+ lb. spanish are eating live baits on king rigs.
Live baiters landed many kings over the week, with the largest over 30 lbs.
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that kings and dolphin are biting well offshore, but most are smaller fish (up to 10 lbs.). School-sized kings are also feeding along the beach.
Amberjacks are feeding heavily at offshore bottom structure, but the gag grouper bite has been slow, probably due to the full moon. Boats are catching plenty of large red grouper far offshore of Sneads Ferry. As the moon wanes, gags and scamps should begin feeding better.
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing remains good in the bays off the river and near Striker’s and Battery Islands. Curly tail grubs and Trout Killers will get plenty of strikes from the trout, but anglers looking for more excitement can also hook up with good numbers on topwater plugs such as Zara Spooks.
The Southport waterfront is holding plenty of flounder, and fish up to 9.5 lbs. were caught there last week. Carolina-rigged finger mullet will draw lots of flounder bites, but bucktails tipped with strip baits or soft plastics and Bill Bay Halo Shrimp worked slowly on the bottom will also get their attention.
Red drum are feeding in the Elizabeth River around marsh grass, feeder creeks, points, and pockets. Hook up with drum on a variety of artificial baits, or by fishing live or cut baits underneath a float.
Sheepshead (with some running 10+ lbs.) are holding near the Quarantine Station and the Pfizer/ADM docks. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas are the most productive sheepshead baits.
Larger black drum are showing up at the bumpers off the ADM dock. Many of the fish are now running 15-30 lbs., and they’ll fall for shellfish or cut mullet baits.
Offshore, the flounder bite is still improving around Yaupon Reef. While flounder fishing, anglers are hooking up with kings and large spanish mackerel (4-6 lbs.) on the light line.
Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are catching speckled trout, flounder, pompano, spot, and whiting. Pier fishermen are also hooking up with king mackerel.
Offshore, kings and dolphin are on the feed around Lighthouse Rocks. Bottom fish, such as sea bass and triggerfish, are also feeding well in the area.
