Southport November 11, 2010
Jeri Willetts, of Southport, with a 35 lb. African pompano that fell for a live pogy in 85' of water west of Frying Pan Tower while she was fishing with David Everhart on the "Heat Seaker."
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that anglers are starting to see some big changes as the water cools off and fall fishing patterns emerge. Speckled trout are feeding in anticipation of moving back into the creeks and up the estuaries where they’ll stay over winter. Live shrimp fished around creek mouths, oyster bars, and other inshore structure will attract attention from the specks.
Red drum are in many of the same areas preparing for winter, though often they’ll be holding shallower than the trout. Live shrimp or a variety of lures will get their attention.
A few flounder are still around, but they’re in the process of moving out the inlets and offshore as the water cools. They’re feeding along the beachfront and at nearshore structure on their way out, and live baits on Carolina rigs will tempt them to bite.
Off the beaches, gray trout and citation-class red drum are feeding at nearshore structure like Yaupon and McGlamery Reefs and the WOFES. A variety of baits or jigging spoons will fool both fish, and anglers should upsize their tackle in order to handle the bull reds.
After a hot king mackerel bite at Lighthouse Rocks last week, the fish should be on the move offshore. Finding water 65 degrees or warmer with plenty of bait should lead anglers to the kings. Good places to begin looking are the 15-18 Mile Rocks, with spots further offshore like the Horseshoe and Frying Pan Tower good bets if the water’s already too cold in closer. Live baits aren’t usually necessary this time of year, as dead cigar minnows seem to attract plenty of attention from the kings.
Bottom fishing during the cooler months is some of the best of the year. Anglers can look forward to finding keeper-sized sea bass as close in as AR-420 and Lighthouse Rocks and further west around AR-440 and 445. Squid and cut baits will attract plenty of attention from the bass.
Triggerfish, beeliners, pinkies, grouper, amberjacks, and other deep bottom dwellers will be holding around structure from the Horseshoe on offshore. Squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the smaller fish, while the grouper and AJ’s are more likely to fall for live baits, cigar minnows, or large cut baits.
There should still be plenty of blackfin tuna and wahoo feeding along the edge of the Gulf Stream. Anglers can tempt them to bite ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf and pier anglers are catching decent numbers of spot and whiting on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Pier anglers also saw some of the best flounder fishing of the year last week as cooler temperatures spurred the fish into feeding before heading offshore. Smaller live baits on Carolina rigs will tempt bites from the flatties.
The whiting bite has been excellent at around the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Anglers are catching big numbers on shrimp and bloodworms (with many fish in the 1-2 lb. class).
Inshore, anglers are finding action with some speckled trout in the area’s creeks. Chartreuse D.O.A. shrimp have been the most effective artificials for the specks of late.
Some red and black drum are also feeding in the creeks, and they will fall for the D.O.A.’s and natural baits.
Pete Malec, of Charlotte, with 5 lb., 13 oz. and 4 lb., 12 oz. flounder that fell for live finger mullet underneath Oak Island Pier.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the red drum bite inshore has been solid lately, with good numbers of fish coming from the creeks and marshes off the lower river. Good numbers of speckled trout are also in the mix, and both are falling for live shrimp under float rigs and Gulps under popping corks.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers have been catching good numbers of flounder from the pier over the last week (with some citation fish). Small live baits fished near the pilings are producing most of the flatfish.
Anglers are also picking up a few bluefish and whiting from the pier.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the flounder bite has been excellent lately (with good numbers of 2-5 lb. fish). Live baits fished on the bottom are the way to go for the flatfish.
Anglers fishing shrimp-baited bottom rigs should continue to see some action with spot, whiting, and black drum over the coming weeks.
