Southport March 29, 2012
Bill Pate, of Greensboro, with a 41 lb. king mackerel that he hooked while trolling near Frying Pan Tower with Boyce Broadwell and Richard Mabe on the "Nauti-Lady."
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers are finding steady action with red drum on the flats around Lockwood Folly.
A few flounder and speckled trout are also feeding in the area, and Gulp Jerkshads are tempting bites from all three.
Offshore, boats trolling the Gulf Stream are finding a consistent wahoo bite in 200-350’ of water. Both high-speed trolling with heavy lures and slowing down to drag skirted ballyhoo will put the wahoo in the boat. Some blackfin tuna and scattered dolphin are joining the wahoo in the fish boxes.
Anglers are also vertically jigging around structure on the break to hook up with the blackfins and amberjacks.
King mackerel are feeding to the east of Frying Pan Tower (ranging from schoolies to 20+ lbs.). With the warm water already far inshore, it’s likely they’ll show up on the beach within the next two weeks. Bluefish are top choices for baits for the beach king mackerel if anglers can’t find menhaden or other live baits.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that the spring speckled trout and red drum bite is off to a solid start around Southport. The reds are feeding in the marshes, creeks, and other backwaters off the Cape Fear River and the ICW. They’re taking an interest in live mud minnows, scented soft baits like Gulps, and a variety of other lures.
Anglers looking for the trout should target the creeks and inshore structure like rocks and docks (where anglers have caught several fish approaching 5 lbs. lately). Soft plastics like Gulp baits and suspending hard lures like MirrOlure MR17’s are the tickets to hookups with the specks.
Offshore, the commercial fleet is finding a solid king mackerel bite around Frying Pan Tower while trolling cigar minnows. With the beach water temperatures already in the mid-60’s, it shouldn’t be long until the kings make a move toward the coast.
Jon Sweeney, of Lumberton, NC, with a pair of black drum that bit live shrimp near an ICW dock behind Ocean Isle.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with big sea mullet and some bluefish around the mouth of the river. The mullet bite in particular has been excellent lately, with anglers loading up coolers with the tasty panfish. Double-hook bottom rigs baited with fresh shrimp and other baits are producing the best results.
The flounder bite is turning on throughout the area, with anglers landing keeper flatfish from the surf, the piers, and inshore around marshes and structure. Live mud minnows and Gulp baits are the best bets for the flatfish.
Speckled trout are feeding in the creeks and the inlet channels, especially around Lockwood Folly. Anglers are catching good numbers while casting Gulps (particularly the curlytails) and D.O.A. split-tail soft plastics.
A few red drum are in the mix with the trout and flounder and biting the same baits.
Offshore bottom fishing has been productive for triggerfish, pinkies, and other bottom dwellers around structure in 90-95’ of water.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are catching plenty of sea mullet (many over 1 lb.) from the pier, and those staying out in the evenings have been loading coolers with 50-70+ fish. Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs are tempting most of the bites from the mullet.
Anglers working Gotcha plugs (especially in red/white) from the pier are hooking a few bluefish.
The water is 64 degrees, and spanish mackerel are already jumping within sight of the pier, so it won’t be long until they (and hopefully king mackerel) are reliable targets.
