Southport June 28, 2012
Rex Hudson with a queen triggerfish he hooked while fishing some bottom structure in 150' of water offshore of Frying Pan Tower. He was fishing with Alan Hogan and Doug Bailey on the "Bottom Scratcher."
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that there’s been a solid dolphin bite when boats have made it out to the Gulf Stream lately (with many 15-25 lb. gaffers). Most of the fish are falling for ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures.
Bottom fishing has been producing some fat scamp grouper around structure in 100-120’, with live baits fooling most of the fish. Plenty of black sea bass and beeliners are in the same areas and taking an interest in squid and cut baits.
The king mackerel bite is improving. Anglers found fast action with the kings last week at offshore spots near Frying Pan Tower and closer to the beach in around 60’ of water (with fish to 30+ lbs. in both areas). Live cigar minnows and menhaden are top choices for the kings, but anglers can also hook up while pulling dead cigar minnows. Some cobia and dolphin have been mixed in with the kings and taking an interest in live baits as well.
Black sea bass are also holding around structure in the 60’ depths, but anglers have to weed through plenty of short fish to get to the keepers.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the inlets and along the beachfront, and they’re readily falling for trolled Clarkspoons.
Blacktip sharks (most 50-100 lbs.) are looking for meals in the same areas. They have a tough time turning down large cut baits.
Spadefish have shown up at the nearshore AR’s, where anglers can hook them on pieces of cannonball jellyfish.
Some flounder are feeding in the same areas and will bite small live baits.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that the king mackerel bite has finally turned on in Long Bay, and anglers found good catches (and some big fish to 40+ lbs.) at spots in 60-100’+ over the weekend. Live menhaden and cigar minnows or dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from the kingfish.
Bottom fishermen are scoring fast action (and plenty of limits) with beeliners and black sea bass at structure in the vicinity of Frying Pan Tower. Squid and cut baits will fool both and plenty of other bottom feeders in the same areas.
Grouper are feeding at the same structure and will pounce on live baits.
Maynard Smith, of Winston-Salem, NC, with a 13.3 lb. tripletail that bit a shrimp while he was fishing from Oak Island Pier.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite has been excellent lately. Anglers are hooking the flatfish around docks, rocks, drop-offs, and other structure in the area, with live menhaden and Gulp baits producing most of the action.
The reds are feeding in many of the same areas and in the marshes and creeks. Live baits, Gulps, topwater plugs, and other artificials are tempting bites from the reds.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout in the early morning hours from the Oak Island piers.
Flounder are in the mix on the piers as well, and both are taking an interest in live shrimp and mud minnows.
Some speckled trout have been coming from inshore spots around the creeks and inlets, and live shrimp or a variety of artificials will strike their fancy inside.
Offshore, the king mackerel bite has gotten better at spots in the 60’ range, with plenty more fish out around Frying Pan Tower. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from the kings and dolphin feeding in the same areas.
Bottom fishing has been producing some impressive black sea bass and beeliner catches (many over 3 lbs.) for anglers baiting up with squid and cut baits.
Robbie Floyd with a 34.02 lb. king mackerel that he hooked near Frying Pan Tower.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that the speckled trout bite remains solid in the early morning hours, with occasional action in the afternoons depending on the tides. Live shrimp are producing the majority of the specks.
Some large sea mullet (many 1.5+ lb. citations) have also been falling for the shrimp.
Flounder are feeding under the pier and taking an interest in live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet.
Sheepshead are still looking for meals around the pilings, and they’re biting barnacles and fiddler crabs.
One angler also landed a 13 lb. tripletail from the pier last week on a shrimp.
