Southport October 11, 2012
Travis Overman with a 6.86 lb. spanish mackerel that he hooked off Southport. Weighed in at Wildlife Bait and Tackle.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that the Southport king mackerel bite is going gangbusters right now, with fish feeding along the beachfront, at nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef, and out to Lighthouse Rocks and beyond. Live menhaden, bluefish, cigar minnows, and other baits are the best bets for the big kings, but anglers may also be able to hook up while trolling dead baits, particularly well offshore.
Spanish mackerel are also feeding with abandon, with solid action around the river mouth, along the beachfront, and on out to Yaupon and other nearshore reefs. Clarkspoons trolled deep behind planers and trolling weights are producing most of the fish, but anglers can also cast metal jigs to fish feeding on the surface or light-line small live baits to hook up with some of the biggest spaniards.
Inshore, red drum are still feeding in the marshes and around structure like oyster rocks and docks. They have a tough time turning down a live bait, but anglers can also hook up on Gulps and other soft baits, topwater plugs, and a variety of other offerings.
Speckled trout are also feeding around inshore structure, but they generally key in on a bit deeper water than the reds. There’s no better trout tempter than a live shrimp, but shrimp-imitating artificials, Gulp baits, topwater plugs, and other lures are also solid choices.
Jose Alvarez Heredia, of Shallotte, with a flounder that bit a live bait near the Southport waterfront.
John, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are starting to catch some spot on Oak Island’s ocean piers. The action should only get better as the water temperature falls, and bloodworms are far and away the best baits.
Some large red drum have been feeding off the Oak Island beaches, and anglers caught several from the piers and surf on live and cut baits last week.
Some flounder are also falling for live baits under the piers, and the flatfish bite is still going inshore around the Southport waterfront and other structure. Live baits (like finger mullet and mud minnows) and Gulp baits are effective on the flatfish.
Some black and red drum have been feeding in the ICW and nearby creeks. Shrimp are fooling both fish, and anglers can also tempt the reds to bite a variety of baits and lures.
The king mackerel bite has finally turned on, and anglers have been getting into the action from the piers and boats in recent days (and seeing some 30-40 lbs.). Boaters are finding the fish all the way from the beachfront to offshore, and live baits have been producing most of the action.
Steve Yandian with an over-slot red drum he caught and released in the Oak Island surf after it struck a live finger mullet.
James, of Whatever’s Chewin Charters, reports that king mackerel have been the name of the game in recent days, with solid action off both Carolina Beach and Southport last week. Interestingly, the fish seem to have been showing a preference for mullet over menhaden and other baits lately.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that fall has arrived on the planks and excellent fishing along with it. Anglers landed big numbers of king mackerel while live-baiting from the pier last week (with many 20-30 lbs.). A 46 lb. cobia took an interest in one of the live baits last week as well.
Flounder have also been on the feed lately, and anglers are catching solid numbers (including some 5+ lb. citations) on live baits fished on the bottom.
Spot are biting bottom rigs on-and-off at night, and anglers are also still landing a few pompano. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling the panfish.
