Southport September 12, 2013
Jamie Renn, of Southport, with a pair of flounder that bit live finger mullet near Southport while she was fishing with her boyfriend.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are hooking some big spanish mackerel at nearshore structure such as Yaupon Reef. Live baits (like finger mullet and peanut menhaden) are the best bets for the larger spaniards, and they should be fished on the lightest wire leader possible to avoid spooking the leader-shy fish.
Smaller spanish are feeding along the beachfront and around the mouth of the river. They’ll bite trolled Clarkspoons or small metal casting jigs when they’re feeding on the surface.
Some king mackerel have also been feeding around Yaupon, and they are scattered from there out to offshore spots like Frying Pan Tower. Live menhaden are the best bets for the bigger kings, but anglers may also find success while trolling dead cigar minnows.
Flounder are feeding throughout the area, with good catches coming from the Cape Fear River, the Southport waterfront, Bald Head Island, and nearshore structure in the ocean. Live finger mullet are fooling most of the flatfish, and they’ve been easy to come by at lower tides lately.
Anglers are hooking speckled trout in the creeks and around structure in the river and ICW. Live shrimp are the best bet for the specks, but anglers can also hook up on topwater plugs and a variety of soft plastic baits.
Red drum are feeding in the marshes and around inshore structure. Live baits and a variety of artificial lures including topwater plugs and soft plastics will fool the reds.
Sheepshead and black drum are looking for meals around docks, rocks, and bridges inshore. The crustacean-lovers will pounce on live shrimp or fiddler crabs.
Annette, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking some big spanish mackerel off the ends of the piers and in boats fishing between the beach and Yaupon Reef. Live baits are producing most of the bigger fish, but anglers are also hooking up while trolling Clarkspoons and casting lures like Gotcha plugs.
David Everhart with a 40 lb. gag grouper that he hooked on a live menhaden at some bottom structure in 120′ of water off Southport while fishing on the “Heat Seeker.”
Plenty of bluefish are mixed in with the spanish and biting the same offerings. Anglers are also hooking some blues in the surf on a variety of baits.
Red drum are feeding around Bald Head Island. Live baits, Gulps, and topwater plugs can all be effective on the reds.
Wally, of Oak Island Fishing Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite has turned on at spots within sight of land (like Lighthouse Rocks), with more action offshore. Live menhaden are producing most of the king mackerel action.
Some large spanish mackerel are feeding around the nearshore reefs, where smaller menhaden or finger mullet on scaled down king mackerel gear will tempt them to bite.
The grouper bite isn’t phenomenal, but anglers are catching some healthy gags and scamps at bottom structure in the 100’ depths. Live baits like pinfish, menhaden, and cigar minnows are the best bets for anglers targeting the larger grouper.
Inshore, the flounder and red drum bite has been strong around Bald Head Island and Southport. Live shrimp and finger mullet are tough to beat, but anglers can also hook both fish while working Gulp baits and other artificials.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are finding plenty of action with spot, sea mullet, and some bluefish while baiting up with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for live finger mullet fished under the pier.
Speckled trout are feeding around the pier and biting live shrimp.
The water is in the low-80’s.
Vance, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spanish mackerel on live baits and while working Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Flounder are feeding around the pilings and biting small live baits on the bottom.
