Southport September 2, 2010
Jack Brewster, from Mountain Brook, AL, with a fat speckled trout he hooked on a live pogie near Southport while fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that Gulf Stream trollers found some solid action with wahoo last week (averaging around 40 lbs., with some larger). Some blue and white marlin and sailfish were in the mix as well. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are the most consistent baits to fool the wahoo and billfish.
Anglers bottom fishing in 100-120’ of water reported some large red grouper, scamps, and a few gag grouper. Big numbers of smaller bottomfish (like grunts, pinkies, triggerfish, sea bass, and more) are feeding at the same structure and biting well. Squid and small cut baits are the best bet for the smaller bottom feeders, while live baits will tempt bites from the groupers.
Flounder are feeding on bottom structure within a few miles of the beaches, and anglers can hook them on Carolina-rigged finger mullet and other live baits.
Some large red drum are holding in the same areas, and they’ll fall for live baits (with baits a little larger than flounder size preferable).
Spadefish are schooled up on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Anglers can lure them to the boat by chumming with cannonball jellies, then hook up on small pieces of the jelly.
Schools of mullet and pogies are working their way down the shoreline, and anglers are catching some king mackerel while slow-trolling around the bait.
Anglers released a number of tarpon while fishing the shoals off Bald Head Island last week. Large cut and dead baits are the weapons of choice for the tarpon.
Inshore, the flounder bite’s been excellent (with fish to 8 lbs. lately). Anglers are hooking them in the river and at spots off the ICW on live finger mullet and pogies.
The speckled trout bite is improving, with anglers putting together good catches around Oak Island and Bald Head. Live shrimp under a float are the best bet for the specks, but they’ll fall for artificials as well.
Anglers are picking up some red drum while fishing for the specks. Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that anglers enjoyed excellent luck while casting flies to tailing red drum last week. The action turns on when high tides push the reds into flooded marsh grass in the area.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding just off the inlet. They’ve been keyed in on some extremely small bait lately, so anglers must downsize their offerings in order to hook up.
The grouper bite has been hit-or-miss offshore, with some anglers reporting excellent fishing and others struggling to put a grouper in the boat. Live baits are the best bet for fooling the groupers, and anglers can find them at bottom structure in around 100’ of water.
Mike Loflin, of Lexington, NC, with a 4.4 lb. flounder that fell for a live mud minnow beneath Oak Island Pier.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching some spanish mackerel from the piers and from boats just off the beaches, but the bite has definitely slowed down a bit. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting Gotcha plugs and other small metal lures is the way to hook up with the spaniards.
Anglers are still catching some flounder at the nearshore reefs and inshore, but like the spanish, the flounder bite’s a bit slow, too.
Tommy, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers had a solid flounder bite last week (landing fish to 4 lbs.). The bite slowed down one day, but slot-sized red drum took their place. Both are falling for live finger mullet.
Bottom fishermen are decking some pompano and a few spot on shrimp.
The spanish mackerel bite has been decent for anglers fishing small live baits and casting Gotcha plugs from the pier.
Dylan Youngblood, of Indian Trail, NC, with his first red drum, a 21" fish he hooked on fresh shrimp near Blue Water Point Marina while fishing with Casey Forester.
Dave, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some flounder on small live baits.
Some slot-sized puppy drum are falling for the same baits.
Whiting and black drum are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs.
Anglers are catching spanish mackerel (many 2-3 lbs.) on live baits and Gotcha plugs.
