Southport June 24, 2010
Erin Dusard with a 25.5" red drum that fell for a live pogy while she was fishing from her dock on the west end of Oak Island.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding all along the area’s beaches. Most anglers are hooking up with the spaniards while trolling 00 Clarkspoons behind #1 planers, trolling weights, and bird rigs, but anglers can also cast a variety of metal lures to the fish on light tackle for a more thrilling fight.
King mackerel are feeding around the Horseshoe and other similar areas. Most of the fish that anglers are hooking are falling for live baits like pogies, but dead cigar minnows have been producing some action, too.
Dolphin are feeding in the same areas (most are on the small side, but larger fish will be along soon). Dead cigar minnows fished behind pink South Chatham Tackle Pirate Plugs are hot baits for both the dolphin and the kings.
Offshore bottom fishing has been excellent lately. Dropping squid, cut baits, and more will attract plenty of attention from sea bass, beeliners, triggerfish, pinkies, grunts, and other bottom dwellers around bottom structure in 80-100’ and deeper. Grouper are feeding around the same areas. Live baits are tops for the grouper, but they’ll take an interest in dead cigar minnows or sardines and cut baits as well.
Cobia are also feeding around offshore structure, and amberjacks are schooled up on the same areas. Keeping a live bait handy for any curious cobia that investigate the boat is a good idea, and anglers can also hook the cobes and jacks on vertical jigs like the Blue Water Candy Roscoe.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that offshore bottom fishing has been excellent lately. Anglers have been hooking up with scamp and gag grouper, hogfish, and a variety of other bottom dwellers at structure in 85-120’ of water. Live cigar minnows have been producing the best results with the larger fish.
Some hefty king mackerel are feeding a bit closer to the beach, and anglers are hooking them while trolling live pogies and other baits.
Flounder are stacking up at nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef, and anglers are hooking them while dropping Carolina-rigged live baits to the bottom.
Earl Thomas, of Oak Island, with a citation 7 lb., 3 oz. flounder he hooked in the ICW on a live peanut pogy. Weighed in at Oak Island Pier.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that there’s still a decent flounder bite going on in the backwaters and the inlet. Live mud minnows and other baits are fooling most of the flatfish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the backwaters and around the ocean piers, and live shrimp are the most dependable speck baits.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pier pilings as well.
The king mackerel bite has been good at offshore spots like the Shark Hole and the Horseshoe, and anglers are hooking them while pulling dead cigar minnows and live pogies and other baits.
Some dolphin are mixed in, with the largest fish feeding furthest offshore, and they will fall for the same baits as the kings.
Anglers fishing around Frying Pan Tower last week reported action with some large ‘phins (20-30+ lbs.).
Jon, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that the bottom fishing’s been a little slow lately, but boats have been bringing in some grouper and some fat black sea bass.
Big numbers of amberjacks are feeding at higher-relief offshore structure.
The dolphin bite continues to be solid off the area, but the average size of the fish is declining.
Sid Spencer, from Mount Airy, NC, with an overslot redfish caught and released near Southport using live pogies. He was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Running Charters out of Oak Island.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some pompano, whiting, and a few spot while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pier’s pilings, and anglers dropping sand fleas, barnacles, or other crustacean baits are hooking up with them.
The flounder bite has slowed, but anglers are still picking up a few.
Fishing with live shrimp has been producing some action with speckled trout recently.
Spanish mackerel are feeding near the pier, but not many people have been casting for them.
Live baiters have been hooking a few king mackerel, and there’s been some action with tarpon lately as well (including an estimated 110 lb. fish that was caught and released last week).
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers landed some sheepshead, pompano, and black drum last week while bottom fishing with shrimp.
The spanish mackerel bite has been decent for anglers casting Gotcha plugs.
Live-baiters fishing from the end of the pier hooked several tarpon last week.
