Southport September 15, 2011
Calvin Almond, of Wilmington, with a 6.66 lb. flounder he hooked while kayak fishing near Southport. Weighed in at Wildlife Bait and Tackle.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that the recent storms seemed to have shaken things up a bit in the ocean and actually improved the fishing. The spanish mackerel bite is excellent along the beaches (with larger than normal fish). Most of the fish are falling for 00 Clarkspoons behind #1 planers and bird rigs (which have been catching the larger fish).
Large sharks are feeding in the same areas. Anglers who want a hard battle shouldn’t have much trouble hooking up with large cut baits on wire leaders.
Offshore, bottom fishing has been excellent lately. Rocks and ledges in 80’ and deeper have been producing the most action, and the downcurrent side of the structure is the one to fish. Squid and cut baits on circle hooks are the way to go, and they will tempt bites from beeliners, triggerfish, black sea bass, grunts, porgies, and a variety of other species.
Grouper live in the same areas. They’ll inhale the smaller baits that anglers are using to fish for the other bottom dwellers, but large live baits are an even better choice.
Boats making the run to the Gulf Stream recently have been rewarded with good numbers of wahoo and dolphin. Some white marlin have been caught and released lately as well. Ballyhoo on South Chatham Tackle Deep Six Pirate Plugs will produce plenty of action with the blue water predators.
Tommy, of The Tackle Box, reports that anglers are finding some excellent action with red drum in the area. The fish are feeding in the marshes and around docks and other structure. Last week’s flood tides also made for some excellent sight-casting opportunities to fish tailing on flooded grass flats near Southport. The new Gulp Crazy Legs Jerk Shad fished on a weedless Z-Man hook has been particularly effective on the tailing reds. Live baits, Gulps, and a variety of other lures will tempt bites from the reds when they’re feeding in deeper water.
The flounder bite’s been a little off around Southport lately, but anglers are still landing some flatfish (including some big ones) while fishing around docks, rocks, drop-offs, and other structure in the area. Live finger mullet and peanut menhaden are the way to go for the flatfish.
The spanish mackerel bite has been solid for boats trolling just offshore lately (with some large fish).
Offshore, bottom fishermen are reporting some excellent action with beeliners in 100’ and deeper.
Alek Knight, of Westfield, NC, with a citation red grouper caught 40 miles off Southport on a cut bait while he was fishing some bottom structure in 110' of water with his father and Capt. Alex Pipes on the "Sea Belle."
Kathy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout, flounder, and slot red drum while fishing from the pier. Live finger mullet and shrimp are fooling all three.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and live finger mullet free-lined from the end of the pier.
A few spot are starting to take an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Ed, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some spanish mackerel while fishing finger mullet on light wire rigs off the end of the pier.
Flounder are taking an interest in live shrimp and mullet fished under the pier.
Bottom fishermen are finding action with pompano and sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp.
