Southport October 14, 2010
Grant Johnson and Tyler Crum, from Greencup KY, with a brace of flounder they hooked on live pogies near Southport while fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that nearshore fishing is improving despite the huge rainfall totals in recent weeks. King mackerel have begun to show up along the beaches and at nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef, and the bite should only improve as the water clears over the coming days. Live baits like pogies are the way to go for the kings.
Big red drum are feeding at nearshore structure, where they’ll fall for live baits or jigging lures. Flounder are still feeding nearshore, and with the cooling water temperatures, it won’t be long before gray trout begin showing up in the same areas.
Large schools of spanish mackerel are starting to push offshore, and they have been feeding heavily 3-6 miles from the beaches lately. The fish will only move further off as the water continues to cool. Trolling Clarkspoons, mackerel trees, and other lures will tempt bites from the spaniards.
Offshore, bottom fishing is still excellent at structure in 80’ and deeper. Anglers are picking up plenty of grouper, triggerfish, snappers, and a variety of other bottom dwellers. Live baits are the top choices for the groupers, and anglers can hook the other tasty bottom feeders on cut baits and squid.
Gulf Stream fishing has settled into a fall pattern, with boats reporting good catches of blackfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphin. A few yellowfin tuna have even been reported; hopefully a sign of good things to come. Most of the fish are falling for ballyhoo rigged under a variety of skirted trolling lures.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the king mackerel bite is finally turning on nearshore, with boaters and pier anglers getting in on the action. Pogies have been a bit difficult to locate lately, with the most consistent schools to the west near Little River, but anglers are hooking the kings on live mullet and just about any other baits they can get their hands on.
Inshore, the red drum bite has been excellent on the Southport side of the river lately. Drifting live shrimp on float rigs along grass edges in the marshes has been producing fast action with the reds, and anglers are also catching decent numbers of flounder and a few speckled trout at the same time.
Herb Doss, of Charlotte, with a 5.4 lb. flounder he hooked on a live finger mullet while fishing from Oak Island Pier.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching a few black and red drum while fishing the backwaters near Southport. Live shrimp will fool both fish.
Surf and pier bottom fishermen are also hooking up with some reds, along with spot, bluefish, croaker, and more.
The flounder bite’s been fairly good in the surf and off the piers lately as well, with live mud minnows and finger mullet fooling most of the fish.
King mackerel are finally feeding along the beaches, and anglers caught double-digit numbers from the island’s piers last week, along with plenty of fish from boats. Live pogies and other baits are attracting attention from the kings.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are picking up several nice flounder (3+ lbs.) from the pier each day on small live baits.
There haven’t been many spot around, but bottom fishermen are decking some whiting on shrimp and bloodworms.
Bluefish are all over the place and making it difficult for anglers to keep baits in the water for just about anything else.
King mackerel finally went on the feed this week, and anglers caught solid numbers while live-baiting from the end of the pier.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the fall king mackerel bite is on, and anglers landed dozens from the pier last week. Live pogies and bluefish are fooling the majority of the mackerel.
Some large spanish mackerel (2-4 lbs.) are falling for the live baits as well.
Anglers are also hooking up with some speckled trout on live baits from the pier.
