Added on Thursday, June 19, 2008  Gary Hurley

Southport June 19, 2008

Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has been excellent from the Hot Hole to the Holden Beach Pier. Boats targeting the spanish should get results while pulling #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers. Mackerel tree rigs are also excellent, and they frequently produce multiple hookups when trolled behind bird rigs.

Shark fishing has been excellent right along the beaches as well. A fresh-caught spanish makes some excellent cut bait for the sharks.

Yaupon Reef and other structure right along the beaches are starting to produce some king mackerel. Pogies have shown up along the beaches, and anglers trolling them beneath skirts should find some action with the kings nearshore.

Kings are also feeding well at offshore structure, and they have been joined by some dolphin moving inshore from the Gulf Stream. Live or dead cigar minnows, either trolled or fished on a light-line while bottom fishing, will get attention from the kings and dolphin.

Bottom fishing remains hot at the offshore structure, too. Boats dropping cigar minnows, cut baits, squid, and Gulp baits to the structure are hooking up with sea bass, triggerfish, porgies, grunts, beeliners, and grouper.

African pompano have begun to show up as well, and they may be feeding around any offshore structure where anglers are bottom fishing.

 

Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are landing some fat pompano, whiting, and even some spadefish.

The speckled trout bite remains excellent, with anglers hooking fish (some up to 5 lbs.) while fishing live shrimp on float rigs and bottom rigs from the pier.

The live shrimp are also producing some keeper flounder, and anglers fishing with live mud minnows are hooking even more of the flatfish.

Some big sheepshead have been seen milling around the pilings, but none have been landed this week.

Plug casters are hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel when the water is clean, and a 5 lb. 15 oz. spaniard fell for a king rig last week.

Several kings were landed on live baits last weekend, with the largest weighing 21 lbs.

 

Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that dolphin are still moving inshore from the Gulf Stream, and the boat experienced good action with the ‘phins in the 32-35 mile range last week. A few kings are also feeding in the same areas, and cigar minnows will appeal to both fish.

Bottom fishing remains excellent at ledges in around 90′ of water. Scamps have been the most prevalent groupers lately, along with a few strawberries. Anglers are also hooking up with big beeliners, grunts, and other fish while dropping cigar minnows, squid, and cut baits to the structure.

Spanish mackerel fishing remains excellent right along the beaches, and boats trolling Clarkspoons shouldn’t go long without some action.

Plenty of sharks are still feeding off Bald Head. The shrimp boats haven’t been around, but simply drifting with large cut baits has been producing plenty of sharks.

 

Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that flounder fishing has picked up considerably in the Cape Fear. Anglers are landing more fish by the week (with some running 6-7 lbs.). Live pogies or mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs are the best flounder baits, and anglers have been finding the best action at creeks not far from the ocean, such as Cape Creek and the Thoroughfare.

There are also some flounder coming off Yaupon Reef.

Speckled trout fishing remains good in the river as well. Anglers can hook up with the specks while fishing live shrimp around creeks, grass islands, oyster rocks, and other structure.

Spanish mackerel fishing has slowed down a bit on the beaches. Many boats are still landing limits, but it’s taking a little longer than last week. Trolled Clarkspoons will tempt the fish, and anglers can also cast metal lures and flies at them with success.

 

John, of Dutchmans Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching a few trout off the piers and in the inshore creeks. Live shrimp will produce fast action with the specks.

Some red drum are feeding in the creeks inshore, and the shrimp will also tempt them to bite. Gulp baits and Betts spinnerbaits should also prove effective on the drum.