Southport October 14, 2004
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports 13 king mackerel decked this week, with the biggest fish tipping the scales at 27 lbs. 10 oz. Flounder have been running up to 4 lbs., and red drum in the slot are weighing in up to 7.5 lbs. Some spanish (weighing up to 8 lb. 2 oz.) were also landed. The spot bite is still light, but there are a few around. A few specks are being caught in the 1 to 1.5 lb. range, and there is plenty of bait still hanging around.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports six kings (weighing up to 28.5 lbs.) were caught during the last week. Most of the fish weighed in the 20 to 22 lb. class. Bluefish are biting, as well as spots, whiting, and pompano, on bottom rigs. Flounder action has been very good on live bait, and a 10 lb. black drum was also caught this week on cut shrimp.
John, of Haag and Sons Seafood, reports that there’s been a good beeliner bite in the usual 40-fathom area. There hasn’t been much for grouper out this far, but there has been grouper in closer. From 15 to 25 miles out, reports from a couple of sources state that little gags are stacked up. The fish are in the 9 to 15 lb. range. Wahoo are everywhere offshore. You can find them on both sides of the shoals, the Horseshoe, the Steeples, and just about any other offshore location. King fishermen have been recording several incidental wahoo catches.
Linda, of Southport/Oak Island Sportfishing Charters, reports that the kings are here in full force. Whether you go offshore, close to shore, or off the piers, the kings are biting. Many boat anglers have been catching their limit with no problem. Bottom fishing is also doing well, but not too many people have been bottom fishing. Most of the traffic has been for the kings. Inside, there are some very good size trout, with a few flounder catches mixed in. And then there are the “spots” starting to make their yearly appearance.
Capt. Richard, of Blue Water Point Marina, reports that kings have been caught in good numbers recently. Guys have been limiting out by targeting the area from the sea buoy to Lighthouse Rock. On a bottom fishing trip (at about 40 miles out), the boat had to keep the light line in the boat because they couldn’t bottom fish for all the king hook-ups. The grouper fishing has also been strong lately. From 38 to 40 miles out they are finding most grouper to weigh in the 10 to 18 lb. range. Most of their fishing has been with live bait. Black sea bass, beeliners, grunts, and pinkies also continue to bite well. Inshore, the Lockwood Folly area has been hot for flounder and spots. Boat anglers in the ICW at Lockwood Folly are bringing them in two at a time. And the marina weighed in several citation flounder from the LF inlet area.
