Southport/Oak Island – May 2023
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been catching plenty of bluefish with both bottom-rigged baits and, at times, casting jigs.
Nearshore anglers have seen the spanish mackerel starting to push in, with pretty good numbers around for this early in the season.
King mackerel are still holding in the deeper water out by Frying Pan Tower.
Josh, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that there have been plenty of spanish mackerel showing up off the beaches in the 30’+ depth range. Most of these first schools have been your typical “cookie cutter” sized fish in the 15-17” range.
Anglers are also finding bluefish and false albacore mixed in with the spanish.
Surf anglers have been experiencing better numbers of whiting and bluefish being caught.
Inshore anglers are starting to see fish spread throughout the area now that water temperatures are warming. Targeting oyster structures has really been best for any mix of sheepshead, black drum, or red drum action.
Harison Gill (age 10), of Greensboro, NC, caught this 2.9 lb. citation pompano using fresh shrimp. He was fishing off of Ocean Crest Pier in Oak Island.
Garrett, of Mad KingZ Tackle, reports that offshore anglers have been landing a bunch of good-sized wahoo and blackfin tuna when favorable winds have allowed for the long run.
Anglers fishing nearshore (15-50’ depth range) have been finding spanish mackerel and Atlantic bonito while trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers.
Anglers fishing from the surf have been catching whiting and bluefish with bottom-rigged baits. There are spanish mackerel now being caught on the local piers, so it’s only a matter of time before they become more consistently within casting range of surf anglers.
Inshore action has been split between red drum and speckled trout. Both species have been mostly scattered, with the better trout action out towards Holden Beach.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that nearshore anglers have found spanish mackerel feeding on the beach alongside a healthy mix of Atlantic bonito. Both species have been holding around structure and bait balls from the beachfront out to the 60’ depth range. The bite has changed a couple times over the past weeks, and anglers need to be flexible with lure color choice and speed based on water clarity and color. Clarkspoons and Bowed Up Lures drone spoons have generally outproduced everything else over this stretch.
Anglers really look forward to the king mackerel moving into the area with water temperatures warming up. The water temp change has already started to bring in more bait, and these hungry kings won’t be far behind.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been feeding really well, especially with anglers now able to find some nice-sized peanut pogies to fish with. Docks have been the top target areas.
Speckled trout are mostly moved out into the waterway, and they’re feeding best on live shrimp. There are still some trout in the creeks, but with the good red drum action also in the ICW, most anglers are focusing their efforts in the bigger water.
Nearshore runs in the 1-3 mile range are producing Atlantic bonito and good numbers of early spanish mackerel (14-18” range). Both trolling and casting tactics are working, with many anglers finding the larger fish while casting.
Kirk, of Take Up The Slack Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been the top target for inshore anglers. The stable weather patterns have been warming up the water temperatures, and that’s getting the reds to break out into smaller groups and start spreading throughout the area. With more bait arriving inshore, there will be red drum action found just about anywhere from the ICW, upriver, and out to the inlets.
Black drum fishing should remain strong, as long as water temperatures don’t rise too much and push these fish deep.
Speckled trout action has been getting a little better, with many of these fish moved out of the creeks and into the bigger waterways.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that there is a good class of 2-3 lb. spanish mackerel moving onto the beaches, and scattered with them are some Atlantic bonito. Anglers are seeing the bite fluctuate day to day, with one day seeing a majority spanish, and then the next finding mostly bonito.
The majority of the king mackerel are out in the 25-30 mile range where the 70 degree water temperatures are, but there are already some of the smaller “schoolie” sized kings pushed nearshore.
Bottom fishing remains strong, and anglers look forward to the coming grouper season to only add to the great catches of pinkies, black sea bass, vermilions, and triggerfish. Target bottoms in the 100’ range for the best shot at all these species.
Offshore anglers are also keeping an eye on the mahi, which are just starting to migrate into the area. The mahi will begin to be mixed in with the scattered tuna that are more prevalent out there now.
Simion Edquist, of Southport, caught this spanish mackerel while trolling off of Oak Isand in 30′ of water.
Troy, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that casting action is picking up for anglers throwing Gotcha plugs to surface feeding schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Some smaller bluefish are also being caught with bottom-rigged baits.
Most of the bottom fishing anglers are catching a few pompano, lots of croakers, and scattered, but large, whiting.
Cindy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been producing mostly smaller whiting and bluefish.
Anglers rigged with casting jigs are starting to bring in some spanish mackerel and bluefish.
