Southport September 14, 2006
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports that the recent rains have slowed the nearshore fishing. These waters have been churned up and dirty, but it should clear up soon. The clean water will mean that the king mackerel will soon follow in hot pursuit of the baitfish that will be invading the beach on their fall migration.
There are a few spanish mackerel, blues, and flounder starting to be caught again just off the beach.
The offshore bite is doing better than the nearshore action. The water quality out about 20+ miles and beyond is in a lot better condition, and the bite is much better.
The groupers, snappers, and black bass are all doing well. And around Frying Pan Tower there has been several African pompano caught recently. The amberjacks are also biting, as are the barracudas.
The gulf stream is starting to come alive with some good catches of wahoos being made over the past week. Also, there were several marlin seen in the gulf stream. Other gulf stream reports have included dolphin, sailfish, and even a mako shark.
Jimmy, at Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that recent rains have slowed the flounder fishing, but there are still some quality fish around the Southport waterfront. Anglers are catching 3 to 7 lb. flatfish with bucktails and Carolina-rigged finger mullet. Some flounder are still on the artificial reefs, but not in the numbers they were a month ago.
However, you can still catch spadefish on the Yaupon and McGlammery reefs.
Spanish mackerel (from 3 to 5 lbs.) are also on the reefs, and a light-lined live bait is the ticket for bites from them.
Lots of trout are active inside and in the ocean. Inshore, the fish are in the Elizabeth River, Dutchman’s Creek, Walden’s Creek, and around Striker’s Island. Live shrimp and mullet are the best baits, and Mirrolures and soft plastics are the best lures.
Red drum (from 3 to 12 lbs.) are also in the Elizabeth River, the creeks, and around Striker’s Island. The same baits that trout are biting will work for the drum, as well as spinnerbaits and cut mullet.
Large whiting (up to 1.5 lbs.) are schooling in around 14′ of water on the mud flats off Caswell Beach. Fresh shrimp on two hook rigs are the way to go for the whiting.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports that the pier is alive with plenty of bait and fish around. The baitfish are hanging around, and the gamefish are preying on them.
Spanish mackerel (up to around 3 pounds) are biting very well. Bluefish have also been prevalent.
Spadefish (up to 2 pounds) are hitting shrimp.
The spots and whiting action has picked up recently on the bottom, so try shrimp or bloodworms to target both species.
Flounder fishing continues to be good using the finger mullet that are constantly running the beach.
And speckled trout (up to 3 pounds) are still biting fairly well on live bait, or occasionally on cut shrimp.
John, at Yaupon Pier, reports that speckled trout (up to 3.5 lbs.) are hitting live finger mullet and shrimp. Float rigs or Carolina rigs will both work.
Red drum, mostly over-the-slot, are biting the same baits as the trout.
Large flounder (up to 6 lbs.) are eating live baits on the bottom as well.
Sheepshead are around, and they will eagerly eat a live shrimp.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish (both around the 3 lb. class) are falling for finger mullet fished on miniature trolley rigs.
No kings have been caught in the last week.
