Southport September 11, 2008
Dianne Reeder, of Lexington, NC, with an African pompano she caught on king mackerel tackle her first time offshore fishing. The African fell for a live pogy near Frying Pan Tower while she was slow trolling with Capt. Butch Foster of Yeah Right Charters out of Southport.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that Tropical Storm Hanna amounted to little more than what used to be locally known as a “Mullet Blow,” bringing big numbers of mullet to the beaches. While mullet aren’t as popular a food fish as they used to be, they’ll be drawing big numbers of king mackerel to feed close to the shoreline.
The king fishing will only continue to get better as the water temperatures cool and September fades into October. Trolling live baits around nearshore structure and bait concentrations should produce solid action with kings that may range well over 40 lbs. over the coming weeks.
Some spanish mackerel will be feeding alongside the kings, but most of the spanish will soon be heading out of the area for the season. Trolled Clarkspoons and mackerel trees will fool the remaining fish.
Offshore bottom fishing has been good all summer, and-like the king fishing-it should only improve as the water starts to cool. Anglers targeting the downcurrent sides of ledges, wrecks, and reefs in 80+’ of water will be able to find action with grouper, snapper, sea bass, triggerfish, and other species while dropping squid, cigar minnows, cut baits, and Gulps to the seafloor.
The grouper will begin moving a bit closer to shore as fall begins.
Gulf Stream action usually picks back up in mid-September and October, and boats making the run to the blue water are already picking up some wahoo. Some dolphin should soon be joining them. Hopefully this fall will produce a better yellowfin tuna bite than the spring did.Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the pier had a solid king run a few weeks ago (with anglers landing fish up to 29 lbs.). The king bite will hopefully pick back up as the water clears up from the storm.
Spanish mackerel fishing was solid last week, and anglers hooked most of the fish on Gotcha plugs. Like the kings, the spanish should be returning in good numbers as the water clears.
Bottom fishermen have been enjoying a mixed bag catch including black drum, some big whiting, big spadefish, smaller pompano, and some spot. Shrimp are fooling most of the fish, with the spot showing a preference for bloodworms or red worms.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom hooked several flounder last week.
Sheepshead are still feeding around the pilings, and anglers are hooking them while dangling fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and other baits next to the structure. Several very large sheeps are feeding around the pier, but they’re breaking anglers off on the pilings when hooked.
Capt. Travis Dant, of Wilmington, with an estimated 35 lb. king mackerel caught on a live pogy in the propwash while slow trolling in the Cape Fear River channel. The big king was released after the fight.
Richard, of Get Reel Charters, reports that bottom fishing was good southwest of Frying Pan Tower last week in the 260’s. Big beeliners and black sea bass were making up much of the catch, and they were falling for bottom rigs baited with squid.
Inshore, the spanish mackerel bite was excellent before last week’s storm, although anglers had to weed through short fish to come up with the keepers. Trolling Clarkspoons in the clean water just off the beaches is the way to target the spanish.
There are still plenty of sharks feeding nearshore, with especially good action around shrimp boats culling their catch.
Manuel Bryant, from Oak Island, with a 3 lb. 6 oz. black drum caught while fishing from Ocean Crest Pier.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that the recent rains should force big numbers of mullet and pogies out of the river and onto the beaches, where king mackerel will show up to begin feeding on them.
Inshore, the drum and flounder are still feeding in the creeks off the river, and a Carolina-rigged finger mullet will get their attention.
Billie, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers have been catching a few flounder and trout in the backwaters, and some spots are beginning to show up as well.
