Southport June 16, 2005
Jimmy Price, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout are still biting well in the area. Try Battery and Striker Island. Two new places that produced this week were the Oak Island Bridge and the Wildlife rocks. Red drum have been caught on the backside of Striker Island and in Dutchman’s Creek. Flounder continue to come from the Southport waterfront and at the quarantine station. And you can still catch some spanish by trolling the beachfront.
John, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that big scamps were caught closer in than usual. They were found in 70 to 80 feet of water. Many of the ones caught were in the 15 to 20 pound range. Guys who went further off didn’t catch as well. And the sea bass are dispersed now, so it’s hard to pull off a “great” catch.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports a good week of fishing with 3 people landing their first ever kings in the 14 to 16 lb. range. No cobia spotted this week but 2 tarpon rolled through the king fishermens baits over the weekend. Spanish mackerel are hitting the gotcha plugs as well as bluefish. Speckled trout fishing has been very good on live shrimp with fish up to 3.5 lbs. Some big pompano have been caught as well on shrimp with a nice 3 pounder landed. Flounder fishing has been good but most are not keepers. A few spadefish have rounded out the anglers catches.
Ocean Crest Pier, reports a good week of fishing with Daniel Blanks catching a 36 lb. 12 oz. king mackerel. Pompano around 1 to 2 lbs. are biting along the surf. Try live shrimp or sand fleas for them. Speckled trout up to 3.5 lbs. are hitting live shrimp as well. Dave Roseman landed a 29 inch, 5 lb. 4 oz. king and Walt Thomas rounded out the catches with a 31 lb. cobia.
Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports speckled trout and flounder fishing has been good inshore and on the piers. Flounder have been getting bigger with an 11 pounder being caught this week. The spanish and bluefish are still biting very well just off the beach on shallow divers and spoons.
