Southport – October 8, 2015
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers haven’t had much to talk about over the past week other than the torrential rains and strong winds the area’s been experiencing. Fortunately, the weather has moderated, and there should be much to look forward to on the local waters for the rest of the month of October.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel were feeding just off Oak Island before the storm, and the fish should return as soon as the nearshore waters settle down and clear up a bit. Anglers can hook both fish while trolling small, shiny lures like Clarkspoons around schools of bait, diving birds, and fish they spot feeding on the surface.
King mackerel should be feeding a bit further off the beaches once the water settles, where anglers can tempt them to bite live or dead baits.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite should be picking up nicely, and anglers will find the fish in the creeks, marshes, and around structure like docks and bridges. Live shrimp, suspending plugs like MirrOlures, and a variety of soft plastic baits will attract attention from the specks. Anglers may also be able to hook some larger fish on topwater plugs early and late in the day.
October often produces some of the best flounder fishing (and largest fish) of the year, and anglers should expect to see some citation fish once the area’s inshore water quality improves. Live baits, bucktail jigs, and soft plastics will attract attention from the flatfish.
Spot had begun to show up in good numbers around the mouth of the river just before the weather, and anglers should be able to put some good catches of the panfish together in the wake of the storm. Bloodworms and shrimp on double-drop bottom rigs are the best way to connect with the spot.
Patty Miller, of Southport, with 4.5 and 4 lb. flounder she caught near Bald Head Island while fishing with her husband Charlie.
Teresa, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers should see improving inshore action with red drum and speckled trout once all the fresh water from last week’s rains flushes out of the area.
Surf and pier anglers have been hooking some black drum and spot recently, and both should show back up in the wake of the weather. Shrimp and bloodworms will attract attention from the bottom feeders.
Bob King, of Kings Mountain, NC, with a 45″ cobia he landed while surf fishing for flounder at the west point of Oak Island. A live finger mullet fooled the cobe.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that anglers were starting to see big numbers of king mackerel along the beachfront before last week’s storm, and they’re hoping the fish are still there once the water settles back down. Live baits are the best bets for the kings when they’re near the beachfront.
Large red drum have been holding around nearshore structure off the local beaches and around the inlets. Anglers can tempt the reds to bite live or cut menhaden and mullet.
The influx of fresh water from last weekend’s rain should make the nearshore flounder fishing even better as fish flush into the ocean from the backwaters. Dropping live finger mullet around nearshore bottom structure is the way to connect with the flatfish.
Spot should also be moving into the area in increasing numbers and biting bloodworms and shrimp on small hooks.
Offshore, anglers can anticipate plenty of action with bottomfish like triggerfish, beeliners, sea bass, porgies, and more, and there’s often a solid grouper bite following a big storm as well. Squid, cut baits, and cigar minnows will attract attention from the offshore bottomfish.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some spanish mackerel and bluefish while working casting lures like Gotcha plugs and straw rigs from the pier.
Some flounder are falling for live baits fished under the pier.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet and croaker.
