Southport May 26, 2011
Logan Youngblood, of Indian Trail, NC, with a 5.5 lb. flounder that fell for a dead shrimp on a Carolina rig in Wildlife Creek. Weighed in at Wildlife Bait and Tackle.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that fishing’s been hot one day and cold the next lately, but that’s typical of the transition from spring to summer fishing in the area.
The Gulf Stream bite has slowed a bit, but anglers can expect to see some more runs of gaffer dolphin along with a few wahoo, tuna, and billfish before hot water sets in to the area and slows the fishing down in summer.
Bottom fishing is hot, and anglers have been finding some excellent grouper action while targeting ledges and other structure in around 100’ of water. A variety of baits will tempt bites from the grouper, but larger live baits will give anglers the best shots at larger fish.
Black sea bass season opens June 1, and there are big numbers of fat bass there for the taking at structure from the break nearly to the beaches. Bottom rigs baited with squid or cut baits will get plenty of attention from the bass.
Other tasty bottom dwellers like grunts, pinkies, beeliners, and triggerfish are feeding in the same areas as the grouper and bass.
King mackerel are feeding from just off the beaches on out to Frying Pan Tower and beyond, but the hot bite seems to move around from day to day. Live baits like menhaden are the best bet, but the kings will often respond to frozen cigar minnows this time of year as well.
Nearshore, spanish mackerel and bluefish trolling is good and getting better. Small Clarkspoons and mackerel tree rigs are deadly on both species.
Large sharks have already moved into the nearshore waters, and anglers who want to do battle with one can hook up while drifting large dead or cut baits within a few miles of shore.
Christopher Critz landed this 50.7 lb. bull dolphin while trolling at the Steeples aboard the "Critter." The huge 'phin fell for a ballyhoo behind an Ilander.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that Gulf Stream trolling has been productive lately. Boats are connecting with big numbers of gaffer dolphin along with a few wahoo and blackfin tuna. Ballyhoo under sea witches are doing most of the damage on the blue water fish.
Bottom fishing at structure in around 100’ is producing good catches of gag and scamp groupers. Live baits are the way to go for the grouper.
Amberjacks, cobia, and king mackerel are feeding at higher-relief structure in the same depth range, and live menhaden will attract plenty of attention from all three.
Anglers also found some good king fishing around 15 Mile Rock and Lighthouse Rocks last week.
Along the beaches, the spanish mackerel and bluefish bite remains solid, and anglers are hooking most of the fish on #00 Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights.
Inshore, anglers are hooking up with some flounder and red drum on live mud minnows and small menhaden in the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte Rivers.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of flounder from the pier (many still undersized, but with some fish to 2-3 lbs. mixed in). Live mud minnows are fooling the flatties.
Some large chopper bluefish (8-12 lbs.) and a few king mackerel are taking an interest in live baits fished from the end of the pier.
Anglers are picking up some scattered spanish mackerel while working Gotcha plugs from the planks.
Bottom fishermen have had some action with sea mullet, smaller bluefish, and some croaker.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of chopper bluefish on live baits and bottom rigs from the pier.
A few keeper flounder have also been coming over the rails.
