Southport June 22, 2006
Jimmy, at Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that AR445 has been producing a mix of fish. One day the spanish and kings were biting well, and the next day all the action was with spadefish. The spadefish were running in the 6-8 lb. range, and they were biting jellyballs.
A spanish and king bite has also been happening regularly at Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs.
Flounder also continue to show up at Yaupon and McGlammery Reefs.
Inside, the flounder bite has been good drifting the two inlets. And the Southport waterfront continues to hold flounder.
The trout bite has been really good this past week. Try the rocks at Wildlife Creek or under the Oak Island Bridge. They are also still around Battery and Striker’s Island. Most anglers are using a live shrimp under a cork, but there’s also a good bite on artificials such as trout killers and curly tail grubs.
A red drum bite has been consistent about 1 mile or so up Dutchman’s Creek (where the sea wall is). Go on nearly low tide and try live or cut bait on the bottom.
Sheepshead are being found at almost any dock around the Southport waterfront area. The baits to use have been fiddler crabs or sand fleas.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports the water has cleaned up and the fishing has taken off. King mackerel are being caught, with average sizes ranging anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds. The biggest of the week was a 27 pound king.
Spanish mackerel are showing up in the evening hitting Gotcha plugs, and cobia have been sighted but have been finicky in the clear water.
Speckled trout in the 2 to 4 lb. range are hitting live shrimp if you can find them. Pompano, spots, and whiting are biting shrimp on the bottom.
There are 2 to 3 lb. class flounder being caught on live baits such as mullet, mud minnows, or menhaden.
Sheepshead are around the pier pilings. Only a few have been caught, but that’s because very few anglers are targeting them. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or even shrimp are the best baits to entice a bite.
Val, at Yaupon Pier, reports that spots and whiting are biting well on shrimp and bloodworms. The spots have gotten bigger and are now large enough to fillet.
Flounder in the 2 to 4 pound range are also biting very well, with all of the action on live baits.
The king mackerel fishermen are finding action at the end of the pier, with a 22.5 lb. king the largest weighed this week.
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports that the fish are biting strong around the Tower. The bottom fishing has been producing consistent catches of grouper, triggerfish, beeliners, and gray and silver snappers. Squid is the only bait you need.
Kings are also being caught steadily around the Tower. The sizes are still small, but once in a while there’s a 20+ pounder to pull in.
The dolphin bite is also good, and a cobia or two are still being found.
The baitfish is thick, including cigar minnows and spanish sardines.
The Horseshoe has also been producing, but not as well or as consistent as the Tower.
Inside, the spanish bite has been slow. A few guys are picking up a few fish, but there hasn’t been a hot spanish bite for some time.
