Southport/Oak Island – November 2022
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that surf anglers are starting to see some nice whiting show up in the area. Their bottom rig setups are also producing spot and pompano.
Anglers are having a lot of success casting jigs to a bunch of bluefish out in the surf zone (and the occasional spanish mackerel).
Nearshore anglers have mostly been on the hunt for king mackerel. The best action seems to be further off the beach, though.
Maddox Tennant (age 11), of Holden Beach, caught this 8.36 lb. sheepshead on a fiddler crab in the Holden Beach area.
Josh, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that the speckled trout action is picking up right on time. Start targeting their typical fall haunts: around deeper cuts with a little current over structure. A live or artificial shrimp rigged under a cork is a great setup, with anglers also having success with MirrOlures and D.O.A. swimbaits.
Red drum are around. They’re mostly scattered back in the creeks feeding on shrimp.
Nearshore anglers are still finding spanish mackerel and bluefish action while trolling Clarkspoons or casting jigs around bait balls off the beach.
The king mackerel bite is steady, with most of the action holding out in the 15+ mile range.
The nearshore structures are holding plenty of black sea bass for anglers looking to bottom fish.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been biting very well in the area. Most fish are being found in deep holes or under docks, with the better action being found on a falling tide. Live shrimp or mud crabs rigged on Carolina rigs or lighter jig heads have both been working great in these areas.
The black drum action has been consistent for anglers fishing Carolina-rigged shrimp around docks in the ICW and in the mainland creeks.
Speckled trout fishing is getting better daily. Anglers will have a lot of success with live shrimp fished under floating corks in holes along the ICW.
King mackerel and spanish are still hanging around off the beaches. The spanish mackerel will be moving on as water temperatures fall, and kings are mostly staged out in the 5-10 mile range. Live baits have been best for enticing strikes from this mostly 10-15 lb. class of kings.
There have been some nice bull red drum feeding around the artificial reefs. Carolina-rigged cut mullet or pogies has worked for getting one of these big reds to bite.
Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Fishing Charters, reports that red drum action has been steady, with the reds now holding both inshore and out on the beaches. Anglers targeting these inshore reds are having success using live finger mullet and targeting different areas based on tides. Higher tides should have efforts aimed towards swamped grass lines, whereas lower tides should see baits set up more around hard structures.
Though keeper season ended, there are still some flounder being caught with bottom-rigged mullet.
Live shrimp or fiddler crabs fished on the bottom is producing some black drum. Look for these fish to be staged up around holes with nearby oyster beds.
Sheepshead fishing remains consistent for those fishing crabs around rockpiles.
A few speckled trout are starting to show up, and action will be getting even better as it heads into the later stretches of fall.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that the nearshore red drum bite has been hit or miss over the past few weeks. Anglers are finding the better action to be at the top end of high tides.
Anglers running the coast have been finding bluefish, spanish mackerel, and false albacore feeding on schools of glass minnows.
The nearshore king mackerel bite has been a bit tough after the storm pushed through and scattered all the bait. Anglers targeting the kings further off the beach are having success trolling dead bait rigs and skirted ballyhoo.
These offshore trolling efforts are also producing blackfin tuna and some late season mahi.
Live bait works well, too, when trolling over the offshore structure (and it increases the odds of hooking up with a cobia over these ledges and wrecks). The water clarity has been best when getting out in the 80’+ range.
Emma Neville (age 9), of Winnabow, caught this 14.5″ speckled trout using live finger mullet near the mouth of Town Creek.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that nearshore anglers are still finding spanish mackerel hanging around just off the beaches. This action is likely on its way out with the next cold front.
King mackerel action has mostly been out in the 20-25 mile range, with the nearshore fall bite being short-lived this season. Anglers headed out to this range can find a lot of action deep into the fall. Trolling dead cigar minnows will not only produce kings, but it may also work on a cobia and possibly a mahi or blackfin tuna pushed in.
Schools of big red drum will be pushing through as they migrate across the area. Anglers shouldn’t be surprised to find schools moving around the nearshore structures even out to that 20-mile range.
Fishing a little past that in the 20-25 mile range, trolling efforts can produce wahoo, sailfish, or mahi.
Bottom fishing has been great around structures in the 80-100’ range. The biggest issue has been the large populations of American reds that are aggressively tearing up baits (and requiring proper releases and even moving to try and avoid them when targeting grouper and other bottom species).
Joyce, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been providing most of the action for anglers looking to enjoy the cooler fall weather. A mixed bag of spot, whiting, and small flounder are all being landed.
Sergio, of Oak Island Pier, reports that sight casting from the pier has been producing some bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing anglers are landing a few pompano, which will most likely be moving out over the coming month.
Speckled trout are starting to show up for anglers working deeper areas behind the breakers.
