Southport October 25, 2012
Capt. James Gauldin, of Whatever’s Chewin’ Charters, with a 7.5 lb. spanish mackerel he hooked on a live mullet near McGlamery Reef.
Steve, of The Tackle Box, reports that king mackerel fishing remains hot just off Southport and Oak Island. Yaupon Reef, the old sea buoy, Lighthouse Rocks, and other nearshore spots have been hot on many recent days, and there’s also been good action at spots further offshore like the Shark Hole. Live baits are the best bets for the kingfish, and menhaden, mullet, bluefish, and others are producing action. Dead baits like cigar minnows can also prove effective.
Big numbers of large red drum are on the feed around Yaupon Reef and other nearshore structure, and no live bait or artificial worked along the bottom is safe from the bruisers when they decide to eat.
Big numbers of gray trout are looking for meals in the same areas, and live, dead, and cut baits, as well as jigging lures like Stingsilvers, are tough to beat for the grays.
Inshore, flounder fishing remains strong, and anglers are hooking some solid (many 5+ lbs.) fish on live finger mullet and menhaden around structure like the Southport waterfront.
The speckled trout bite is getting better and better, and just about any current rip in the area is likely to be holding a trout or two. The bite is also turning on towards the back of Wildlife Creek. Live shrimp are some of the best bets for the specks, but anglers can also hook up while working topwater plugs, soft plastics, and a variety of other lures.
Jerry Sipes, Sr., of Fayetteville, NC, with a 34″ red drum he caught and released off the Fort Caswell pier after it struck a live finger mullet.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with red drum in the local creeks and in the surf off Oak Island. Live and cut baits are great choices for the reds, but anglers can also hook up on soft plastics like Gulps and topwater plugs, particularly inshore.
Anglers are still hooking plenty of flounder in the area, but many are on the small side. The Oak Island Bridge has been producing some of the better flatfish action lately. Live baits and Gulps will both attract attention from the flounder.
Spot are showing up inshore in the Cape Fear River and ICW, with some large sea mullet in the mix as well. Shrimp and bloodworms on double bottom rigs will tempt bites from both panfish.
Spanish mackerel are still around, but the bite’s a bit slower than it has been.
The king mackerel action, however, is the best it’s been all year, with Lighthouse Rocks and the old sea buoy as particularly hot spots lately. Live menhaden are producing the lion’s share of the action with the kings.
James, of Whatever’s Chewin’ Charters, reports that there are big numbers of large red drum feeding around Yaupon Reef (many 40-48”). Live baits and cut baits will tempt bites from the big reds.
Thad Caldwell with a red drum he caught and released in the Oak Island Surf after it inhaled a chunk of spot.
Plenty of gray trout are also feeding at Yaupon, and if anglers catch and release the smaller fish, they should be able to catch one in the 3-5 lb. range to take home. Jigging lures and live or cut baits will produce plenty of action with the grays.
Some large spanish mackerel (to 5+ lbs.) are chasing bait in the same area, and a light-lined finger mullet is tough for them to turn down.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that the pier has seen on-and-off spot runs for much of the past week. Shrimp and bloodworms on two-hook bottom rigs are the way to hook up with the spot.
Flounder are still feeding under the pier, and anglers are hooking a few on smaller live baits.
Anglers are also catching some speckled trout while fishing live shrimp off the bottom.
Some bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the planks.
Live-baiters have landed several king mackerel over the past week.
