Southport June 17, 2004
Linda, at Southport/Oak Island Sportfishing Charters, reports that over the weekend the Horseshoe was hot with kings and dolphin. A few African pompano have been out around the tower, but it’s still a little early for the big run. That should happen in mid-July. This past week saw numbers of spanish out on the west end of Oak Island. A few kings were also in the area. Most of them were in the teens, but a few big ones have been caught. Flounder are still being reported both in the backwater and around Yaupon Reef. The size of the flounder has improved recently, with several large ones caught in the 5 lbs. or better range.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports a very good spanish mackerel bite this week, with a few citation size (6+ lbs.) fish being caught. The bite has been on and off and better at higher tides. A king mackerel of 20 lbs. 9 oz. was landed this week. Flounder fishing with mud minnows or mullet has produced flatties up to 4 lbs. Black drum (up to 5 lbs.), whiting, and spots fill out the bottom fishing. Early in the mornings, the 1 to 2 lb. speckled trout are still running and eating live shrimp. There have been a few bigger specks mixed in, like Tom Coley’s 3 lb. 10 oz. fish.
Tommy, at Long Beach Pier, reports that king mackerel kept a few anglers busy on Wednesday and Thursday. The pier had 9 lb., 13 lb., 17 lb., and 24 lb. kings landed over the two days. Spanish mackerel, up to 5 lbs., and bluefish are biting plugs. A few keeper flounder were landed this week by those fishing with minnows. Speckled trout are biting early in the morning, if you have live shrimp. The specks are running up to 3 lbs. Bottom fishermen have been catching a few spots and whiting on bloodworms.
Billie, at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports a good flounder bite on the inside with several in the 4 to 7 lb. range. They were mostly caught on small pogies. The smaller fish are still eating mud minnows. Spanish mackerel and speckled trout have been biting on the outside, right along the beaches and from the area piers.
Capt Richard, at Bluewater Point Marina, reports good dolphin trips this week with fish running to 22 lbs. They are as close as 15 to 18 miles. A good king producer has been 15 mile rock, but there are juveniles (under 24″) mixed in. Cigar minnows have proved best for the kings. Spanish mackerel in the 16 to 18″ class are chewing along the beach. Try using gold and silver clark spoons on small planers. No bottom fishing reports due to rough ocean conditions. Inside, the flounder fishing has picked up in the waterways and inlets with a few speckled trout mixed in.
