Southport October 27, 2005
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the flounder are biting better now that the mullet run has slowed down. Most fish are averaging 2 to 3 lbs., with the biggest weighed in at 5 lbs. 2 oz.
Kings have been around, with the biggest weighing 21 lbs. They should pick back up as the water cools and the bait continues to hang around the pier.
Gray and speckled trout have been caught using mullet, as well as cut shrimp, on the bottom. A few whiting have been caught in the 1 lb. range.
Spots are being caught occasionally, but the big runs have yet to begin. Be ready to get to the pier any day now.
Capt. Jimmy Price, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that there have been lots of spots caught recently. Most are coming from the mouth of the Coast Guard channel and at the old pig fish grounds (next to Bald Head Island).
Several flounder have been weighed in recently, ranging from 3 to 6 pounds. The Southport waterfront has been the most consistent bite, but the Davis Creek area has also produced. The Big Boy Flounder Tournament is this weekend, and a 5 lb. flounder will probably get you a sizable payout.
Speckled trout fishermen have been finding 1.5 to 3 lb. fish in Elizabeth River.
The reds are also there, as well as in Dutchman’s Creek and around Striker’s Island.
When the weather allows, grays and big reds are on Yaupon and McGlammery Reef. Go with fish jigs or stingsilvers.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports excellent flounder fishing lately, with fish up to 4 lbs. Live mullets are the bait of choice. An occasional speckled trout has shown up, and a few spots are showing but no big runs yet. A 3 lb. 7 oz. pompano was caught on live shrimp, as well as some nice fall whiting coming over the rails.
No kings lately. The water temperature is still ideal and the bait is by the pier, so it’s just a matter of fishing for them.
Redd, at Yaupon Pier, reports that flounder are the main action recently. They’re biting from the surf out to the end of the pier, and the best times have been early or late in the day. Everything has been on live mullet, and the bigger ones are running up to 5 pounds. Saturday saw a small spot run that ended after one hour, and there was one 31 lb. king caught last week.
