Southport/Oak Island – May 23, 2019
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that some small whiting are being caught, with most of the whiting coming off of fresh shrimp.
Bluefish, black drum, and croaker are all being landed in the surf, with cut bait and shrimp being the go to baits.
There’s been some flounder action in the usual inshore areas. Most are still small, but keepers are mixed in.
The redfish are biting in the backwaters, mainly on shrimp artificials and smaller live baits.
Off the piers, there are cobia, king mackerel, big spanish mackerel, and chopper blues all being caught.
Offshore on structure, anglers are seeing plenty of sea bass. Squid, shrimp, and cut bait are all doing the trick.
Out at the Gulf Stream, the mahi have shown up in big numbers, along with the occasional wahoo.
Bryan Leonard and Emmett Watson III weighed in this citation-size, 57.2 lb. cobia at Wildlife Tackle in Southport, NC. They were fishing with a live pogie off of Oak Island.
Tim, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that red and black drum are biting well in the creeks, with live pogies, mud minnows, and fresh shrimp doing the trick.
Flounder have started to chew around artificial reefs and structures. If you have not had any bites, the best thing to do is keep moving and try different spots.
Sheepshead are being found on docks and structure, and they’re biting best on crabs.
There are big spanish (6-8 lbs.) mixed in with blues on the beach, as well as some kings and a few cobia.
Even smaller kings can be found further off the beach, as well as good bottom fishing for scamp and gag grouper.
Out at the Gulf Stream, the mahi bite is on fire, and some blackfin and wahoo are mixed in.
Robert, of Reelin Pelican Fishing Charters, reports that the warming and clearing of the inshore waters and recent influx of bait has certainly improved the fishing action.
In the backwaters, some nice-sized red and black drum are being caught. Carolina-rigged pogies or mud minnows have done well for the redfish, and fresh shrimp remains best for the black drum. Sheepshead, croakers, flounder, and an occasional trout are still biting. A mud minnow on a Fathom jig head is a good, all-around producer.
Nearshore, there have been plenty of spanish mackerel, gray trout, and flounder.
There have been some nice king mackerel (and cobia) feeding along the beach, too, with better numbers and sizes of kings a little further off in the 10-20 mile areas.
At the Gulf Stream, the mahi bite is hot, and blackfin tuna and grouper are still in the mix.
Matt Wilson showing off a sheepshead caught while fishing the Southport City Pier.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the nearshore bite is heating up, with spanish, kings, and blues feeding along the beach off Lockwood Folly Inlet. Many of the spanish are keeper-sized, with larger fish in the 4-5 lb. range mixed in.
Larger kings have been around, but for the most part the schoolies are what is biting right now. Pirate Plugs, Big Nic Mac-a-Hoos, and Blue Water Candy shovels with cigar minnows are getting it done. Pogies are still small, and subsequently their results have been off and on with the kings thus far. Live bait has performed better further offshore, though.
Some nice cobia have been getting into the nearshore mix over the last week.
Sharks are biting along the beach (since water temperatures are rising).
Backwater action on live shrimp continues to be good, with red and black drum holding on docks and oyster beds around deeper water.
Flounder are chewing in the creeks, with the larger flatties falling for peanut pogies.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that on the beach, there are spanish and a few king mackerel. Trolling spoons and live baits have both worked well. There are also some cobia around, and plenty of smaller kings can be located further offshore.
Bottom fishing has been hot, with anglers seeing good numbers of scamp and gag grouper, sea bass, triggers, and pinkies. Squid, cigar minnows, and live bait have produced on the bottom fish.
Out at the Gulf Stream, there are plenty of mahi to be caught.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that big spanish mackerel are being caught near the beach. Casting spoons are doing well for these fish, as have trolling cigar minnows. Near the shoals, there are big bluefish mixed in with the occasional bonito and some schoolie kings.
In the creeks, several redfish are being caught, with some fish up to 26”. Live pogies have been the best baits for the reds. There are also some good-sized black drum in the same areas as the reds, with sizes ranging from 18-22”. Carolina-rigged fresh shrimp has landed the most fish. Smaller flounder are plentiful, and now more keepers are starting to come in. Fresh shrimp or pogies is the best option.
Offshore in around 130’ of water, the scamp grouper bite has been hot. They can best be targeted with cigar minnows on the bottom.
Further off at the Gulf Stream, mahi can be found everywhere, and ballyhoo is the bait of choice to bring them to the boat.
Lynn, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that pier anglers are connecting with lots of bluefish, spanish, pompano, trout, and a few spots. Occasionally, a nice keeper flounder will come over the rails, but the whiting action is slowing down.
Gotcha plugs and live bait have been bringing the blues and spanish in, and then cut bait on the bottom is accounting for most of the other action.
The king mackerel bite has slowed down this past week.
