Southport July 6, 2006
Jimmy, of Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports excellent speckled trout fishing this week. Trout up to 5-6 lbs. are biting well both on artificial baits and live shrimp suspended beneath a float. The hot spots for the trout include the Elizabeth River, Dutchman’s Creek, and the area behind Battery Island.
Flounder are biting very well on bucktails and Carolina-rigged live baits. The traditional inshore spots are producing fish, and the nearshore wrecks and reefs are holding a lot of flatfish as well. The Yaupon and McGlammery reefs have been particularly hot this week.
Sheepshead and black drum are in the river and biting well at the ADM dock. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are the best baits for both of these fish.
Spanish mackerel fishing is good both along the beach and at nearshore structure such as Jaybird Shoals, and Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs. The spanish are biting both trolled spoons and free lined live baits.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports a solid king mackerel and dolphin bite around the Horseshoe and the Tower. Slow trolling live bait or pulling cigar minnows should entice them to bite.
Bottom fishing southwest of the Tower is resulting in a mixed bag of scamp, red, and gag groupers, as well as assorted other bottom fish such as triggerfish, beeliners, and grunts. Squid and cut baits are the ticket for action.
The gulf stream is slowing down with the warmer water temperatures, but some wahoo are still biting. Trolling skirted ballyhoo is an excellent way to hook up with one.
The spanish mackerel bite is improving for those trolling spoons on the beach.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports the flounder fishing finally picking up with good catches of fish in the 1.5 to 3 pound range. The water is cleaning up, so the spanish should be back around the pier any day to mix in with the bluefish.
Speckled trout are still biting very well on live shrimp. Early in the mornings should be the best time to try.
Sheepshead in the 2 to 4 pound range have been landed, with some much larger hanging around the pilings.
Spadefish and pompano are being caught on shrimp to fill out the summer mix of fish.
The water is finally over 80 degrees, and the tarpon are beginning to be seen moving along the beach.
Val, at Yaupon Pier, reports an excellent speckled trout bite, with nice size fish eating both shrimp on the bottom and red headed Gotcha plugs. Croaker and spots are also biting shrimp on the bottom.
Small flounder are biting mud minnows.
Plug casters are catching small spanish in addition to the trout.
Jack Crevalle continue to bite live baits, and a 25 lb. fish was weighed this week.
The water temperature at the pier is 78 degrees.
