Southport October 24, 2013
Davy Whittington, of Hudson, NC, with a 22.5 lb. permit that bit a live mullet while he was fishing at Yaupon Reef.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are seeing fall fishing in full swing in Southport waters.
Flounder, red drum, and speckled trout are all feeding in the creeks, marshes, and around inshore structure. Live shrimp and finger mullet will fool all three, and anglers can also cast soft plastic baits with success. The reds and specks are also falling for topwater plugs at times.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing bait around the inlets and just off the beaches. Anglers can hook both while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or casting metal jigs at fish feeding on the surface.
Large red drum (many 40”+) are cruising around nearshore structure and schools of bait. Anglers are hooking big numbers of the reds on live and cut menhaden and mullet fished on Carolina rigs.
Live-baiters are reporting plenty of king mackerel at spots in the 60’ range and fooling them while slow-trolling menhaden and bluefish.
The wahoo bite is still going strong when boats make the run to the Gulf Stream, and some blackfin tuna and sailfish are feeding alongside the ‘hoos. Skirted ballyhoo will fool all the blue water predators.
Bottom fishermen are reporting plenty of grouper action around structure in 90’ and deeper. Live baits are fooling most of the groupers. Black sea bass and other smaller bottom dwellers are in the same areas, and they will pounce on squid or cut baits.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some citation-class (40”+) red drum just off the beach along Brunswick County’s shores. Live and cut menhaden and mullet are attracting most of the attention from the big reds.
A bit further offshore, there’s been some solid king mackerel action at local spots in 50’ of water and deeper. Live menhaden are fooling the majority of the kings, and there have been plenty of menhaden along the beachfront for anglers looking for bait.
Gulf Stream trollers are still finding a good wahoo bite at local spots like the Steeples and Blackjack Hole. Some sailfish are feeding in the same areas, and both are taking an interest in ballyhoo behind skirted trolling lures.
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking solid numbers of spanish mackerel while casting Gotcha plugs from the piers and trolling Clarkspoons in boats. Plenty of bluefish are mixed in and falling for the same baits.
T.J. Farmer with a 35″ red drum he caught and released near the Sunset Beach bridge after it struck a crab.
Gray trout have shown up at the nearshore reefs and hard bottoms, where vertical jigs and a variety of natural baits will tempt them to strike.
Pier and surf casters have also been hooking red drum and flounder on live and cut baits.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some sea mullet and a few spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are biting live baits on the bottom.
Plug casters are hooking spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotchas.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been hauling good numbers of sea mullet and pompano over the rails while baiting up with shrimp.
