Southport Winter 2010-2011
Chris Wright, of Williamston, NC, with a 70 lb. wahoo that fell for a ballyhoo behind a Blue Water Candy Mini Jag at the Steeples while he was trolling aboard the "Drug Runner."
Butch, of Yeah Right Charters, reports that anglers should be able to find some action with red drum and speckled trout back in the creeks and on the shallow flats in the area as the fish look for warmer water on sunny days. Soft plastic baits and MirrOlures will fool the specks, and anglers who don’t want to cast artificials should be able to hook some fish on live mud minnows, which will be available all winter long. In the cold water, it’s key for anglers to slow down their presentations in order to tempt bites from the sluggish fish.
Some red drum will also be feeding behind the breakers in the surf zone over the winter months, and they’ll take an interest in the same baits and lures.
Gray trout and an occasional large red drum are feeding at nearshore structure like AR-420, 425, and the WOFES reef. Vertical jigs or a variety of baits will get attention from the trout.
King mackerel have followed the 65+ degree water away from land and will be feeding around offshore temperature breaks and bait concentrations all winter long. Live baits are tough to come by this time of year, but winter kings will generally eagerly eat frozen cigar minnows and lures like Drone Spoons.
Bennett Rhyne (age 6), from Wilmington, with a speckled trout that fell for a live finger mullet near Oak Island.
Wintertime bottom fishing is some of the best of the year. Anglers can expect to find black sea bass at structure within 20 miles of land. Squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the bass.
Further offshore, grouper, grunts, triggerfish, snappers, and other bottom dwellers will be feeding around the Horseshoe and spots on out towards the break. Filling up a cooler should be easy for anglers dropping squid or cut baits on bottom rigs.
Warm water eddies off the Gulf Stream will hold wahoo and blackfin tuna all winter long, and when the water comes within range of local boats, anglers can hook both while trolling ballyhoo.
It remains to be seen whether the area will see a decent giant bluefin tuna bite this winter as it has in years past.
Heather Dellinger, of Denver, NC, with a citation red drum she hooked at Yaupon Reef while fishing off Oak Island with Capt. Vanessa Martin of Nauti-Girl Charters.
John, of Dutchman’s Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that there was a decent speckled trout bite before last week’s cold snap, and the fish should be available on pleasant days for most of the winter. Live shrimp are no longer available due to the cold water, but anglers can tempt the trout to bite Gulp baits, D.O.A. shrimp, and other soft plastics. Local marinas are good places to target the specks in the wintertime, as are the backwaters of the area creeks.
A few red drum should be holding in the same areas anglers are fishing for speckled trout, and they’ll take an interest in the same baits and lures as well.
In the ocean, king mackerel have followed the warm water offshore and will be feeding around bait concentrations in water over 65 degrees all winter long. Boaters making the run can fool the kings into biting dead cigar minnows and Drone spoons or other lures.
Tommy, of Southport Angler Outfitters, reports that bottom fishermen should be able to find action with black sea bass as close in as Lighthouse Rocks over the winter, with more keeper and larger bass at structure from 15 miles on offshore. Squid and cut baits will attract plenty of attention from the bass.
Shep Morano, from Richmond, VA, with an overslot red caught and released near Bald Head using a live pogie. He was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters out of Oak Island.
Gag and scamp grouper are feeding on ledges, wrecks, and live bottoms in 80’ of water and deeper. Live baits are the best way to fool the grouper, and anglers should take advantage quickly, as the grouper season comes to close on January 1.
King mackerel have followed warm water offshore and should be feeding wherever they can find the mid to high 60’s water they prefer all winter long, particularly where anglers mark bait solidly. Anglers can hook them on Drone spoons and other lures, but frozen cigar minnows are even more effective.
