Southport Winter 2006
Butch, at Yeah Right Charters, reports the speckled trout have been biting well on the inside creeks and marshes. Some red drum are also being caught in these areas. The gray trout are still on the inshore reefs, along with some big red drum.
The black bass are in their normal winter stages (closer to the beach now), and there have been some big ones caught. A good place to start looking for the trout and black bass is in the Light House Rock 1 and 2 areas.
If you are looking for the speckled trout, try areas like Dutchman’s Creek, Elizabeth River, and the various creeks around Bald Head Island, but basically any of the creeks or backwaters are potential spots for these winter trout.
The king mackerel bite that was here a few weeks ago was shut off by the fronts with high winds and torrential rains that moved through. The kings are still biting, but they have moved on to the northeast to their normal winter grounds. Start your search now for these fish around the Tower, and then work to the east and north.
The bluefin tuna fishery that was discovered and verified off our beach last year looks good again this year. The bait and gannett birds are here, and there have already been some sitings and catches of these fish in the Horseshoe area. Some unsuspecting king mackerel fishermen have reported having their baits attacked by what they would describe as a “freight train,” and that can only mean bluefin tunas.
Jimmy, at Wreck Hunter Guide Service, reports that good speckled trout fishing continues in Brunswick County waters. Dutchman’s Creek, Wildlife Creek, and Davis Canal are all holding good numbers of trout, which are averaging 2-3 pounds. You can also expect to find an occasional speck up to 6 pounds mixed in.
Anglers looking for trout should try Mirrolures in the TT 750 and TT 808 colors, as well as curly tail grubs and Trout Killers in smoke/metal flake, Christmas tree, and chartreuse colors.
The red drum are abundant in area waters right now, with Dutchman’s Creek and the Elizabeth River especially good places to look. Any creek with plenty of oyster bars and mud flats should hold some fish, however. The lures that are effective on the trout should work on the drum as well. The drum are ranging in size from 14 inches on up to 15 pounds, and you’ll find that similarly sized fish school together.
Flounder fishing has slowed somewhat, but there are still a few fish around the Southport waterfront. Many of the big fish have already moved out, though, and only one in every three or four flounder caught is over the 14 inch size limit.
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports good fishing continues along Oak Island. Speckled trout up to 2.5 pounds, flounder, and bluefish in the 1-2 pound range are all being sporadically caught.
Whiting are just moving in and will bite very well until the water dips below 56 degrees. Croakers mixed in with the whiting are being caught by using cut bait or Fish Bites on bottom rigs. King anglers shouldn’t give up on the pier. There was recently a 22 pound king caught by a boat within casting distance of the pier, but no one was king fishing on the pier that day.
John, at Yaupon Pier, reports that shrimp and artificial bloodworms have produced good action with croaker and whiting lately.
There were two good days of spot fishing earlier in the month, but the spots never showed up in great numbers this year.
Anglers fishing live shrimp on float rigs continue to have steady action with speckled trout.
The water is 58 degrees.
