Southport November 14, 2013
David Derrick, of Oak Island, with a 9.5 lb. flounder that struck a live bait near Southport while he was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are seeing some phenomenal speckled trout fishing around Southport right now. Anglers are finding the fish in the creeks, around structure like docks and oyster rocks, and in the marshes. Live shrimp are far and away the best bets for anglers looking to hook up with the specks, but topwater plugs, suspending hard lures like Yo-Zuri’s 3D series, and soft plastics will also tempt them to bite.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and around structure as well, and they’ll bite the same variety of baits and lures along with live finger mullet and mud minnows.
There are also big numbers of smaller black drum around hard structure in the creeks, and the little striped drum have a hard time turning down fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
King mackerel have moved offshore from the beachfront, but there’s been a good bite in the 20 mile range when boats get the weather to go. Live baits and dead cigar minnows will both fool the kings, and anglers should be able to find king mackerel action all winter long. Finding water temperatures in the upper-60’s around structure and bait is key to finding the cold-weather kings, but anglers can often have fast action when those elements line up.
Not many boats have been offshore recently due to the high winds and seas, but the wahoo bite should still be going on when anglers can make the long run to blue water. Blackfin tuna are feeding around many of the same Gulf Stream hotspots as the wahoo, and they’ll both take an interest in ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
Calvin Sears with a 6 lb., 9 oz. flounder that fell for a live finger mullet near Southport while he was fishing with his sons Neal and Kyle.
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking black drum in the area creeks and in the surf. Fresh shrimp are tough for the drum to turn down.
Speckled trout are feeding in the creeks, off the beaches, and around inshore structure. Live shrimp are some of the best bets for the specks, but anglers can also hook up on Gulp baits, other soft plastics, and suspending hard lures.
Red drum are in the same areas as the trout and will attack the same baits as well.
Anglers are still catching good numbers of flounder inshore and along the beachfront (but many are undersized at present). Live baits and scented lures like Gulps will fool the flatfish.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that there was a solid king mackerel bite in the 15 mile range last week (with some fish pushing 50 lbs.). Dead cigar minnows and live baits like bluefish are the way to go for the kings, and anglers should be able to find action all winter as long as water in the upper-60’s or warmer stays inshore of the break.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet and a few spot while baiting bottom rigs with shrimp and bloodworms.
Bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and a variety of baits.
Those soaking live baits under the pier are hooking some flounder.
