Southport – September 10, 2015
Jimmy, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing some solid flounder action at present. The fish are feeding in the creeks, near structure like docks and rocks, and at nearshore spots in the ocean like Yaupon Reef. Most are falling for live baits, but anglers can cast Gulps, Shrimposters, and other soft baits with success as well.
Speckled trout are also on the feed, with good action in the creeks and the Cape Fear River around grass islands and rocky structure. The specks are biting topwater plugs early and late in the day. When the sun’s high, MirrOlures, soft plastics, and live baits will all attract attention from the trout.
Red drum are feeding in all the same areas as the specks and flounder inshore, and on the area’s shallow flats as well. The reds will bite all the same baits and lures as their inshore counterparts.
Some large red drum have also been feeding at Yaupon Reef and other nearshore structure in the area. The big reds are more apt to bite live or cut mullet and menhaden than the artificials.
Sheepshead continue to feed around inshore structure near Southport, and anglers are hooking big numbers (many approaching 8 lbs.) on live fiddler crabs and sand fleas fished tight to the fish’s homes.
Black drum are in many of the same areas and are also looking for meals in the area’s creeks. They’ll bite the same things as the sheeps and also live and cut shrimp.
Spanish mackerel are schooling up off the Cape Fear rivermouth and the Oak Island beachfront. Anglers can fool the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons or target larger fish around nearshore structure with live baits.
Some large king mackerel have begun to work their way toward the beach as well, and anglers can expect the spanish and king action to only improve as the water temperatures begin to drop with the start of fall. Live baits are the best baits for the beachfront kings, and bluefish and menhaden are favorites for a reason.
Offshore bottom fishermen are hauling plenty of grouper, snapper, triggerfish, sea bass, and more up from the depths, with the best action in 100’ of water and deeper. The bottom feeders will bite squid, cut baits, cigar minnows, and a host of other offerings.
Anglers trolling around the Horseshoe have been hooking some king mackerel and a few dolphin and wahoo. Dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo are producing most of the action.
Amanda Thompson, of Cornelius, NC, with a 26″ red drum she caught and released after it struck a Gulp shrimp while she was kayak fishing near Holden Beach.
Teresa, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have landed several king mackerel from the piers over the past week, so the kings seem to be moving in. Live baits are fooling most of the fish.
Spanish mackerel are also on the feed, and anglers have been hooking them while trolling from boats and working metal casting lures from the piers and the beach.
Red drum are feeding around docks and other structure in the ICW. Anglers can fool the reds with live and cut baits or a wide variety of artificial lures.
Some flounder are in the same areas and feeding in the creeks. Live baits and Gulps are the best bets for anglers looking to connect with the flatfish.
Anglers are also starting to see some spot show up around the piers. Shrimp and bloodworms are the ways to go for the spot.
Kaitlyn Favolise with her first over-slot red drum, a 29″ fish she caught and released while fishing with her boyfriend Kyle Peters near Southport. A Carolina-rigged finger mullet fooled the red.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent spanish mackerel action off Oak Island. Plenty of the spaniards are falling for traditional Clarkspoons, but anglers are hooking good numbers of larger fish while fishing small live baits on the surface near the area’s artificial reefs.
Flounder are feeding on the bottom in the same areas. Live finger mullet fished are the way to go for the flatfish.
Large sharks are looking for food within a few miles of shore, and they will bite live, dead, and cut baits readily.
Inshore, the flounder bite is good as well, with most of the fish coming from docks, rocks, and other structure near Southport. Live finger mullet are the ways to fool the flatfish inshore as well.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are seeing some improved action from the pier as the water temperatures have dropped a few degrees from last week (now 81 degrees).
Spanish mackerel are biting Gotcha plugs and finger mullet that anglers are fishing near the end of the pier.
Good numbers of flounder (some 3-4 lbs.) are biting finger mullet fished near the pilings.
Bottom fishermen baiting up with shrimp are hooking some pompano, black drum, spadefish, sea mullet, and more.
