Fishing

The Cape Fear Flounder Classic is July 30 at the Southport Marina. This event is being organized as a fundraiser for the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce. Following the prize structure of the chamber’s U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, the all-cash guaranteed prizes total $5,300. Michael Hill and Glenn Hart from Southport aboard Silver  Bullet cashed in last year and took home $3,170.

Summer fishing is in full swing, which means fish are present and feeding but not exactly jumping into the boat or onto the pier during the middle of the day. There remains a good bit of action, although the bite is often very early or after dark.

Inshore fishing is good during the mornings and late afternoons with the flounder still active and speckled trout running at times. Both the trout and flounder are hitting best around structure such as piers, docks and bridges. Meanwhile there are still some fish in the surf around the edges of the day.

Summertime fishing is still good, especially in the early morning hours and after sunset. Anglers are catching flounder, pompano, speckled trout, bluefish and black drum.
Black drum are a chunky, unappreciated species that can save a fishing trip. They are found most often around structures such as bridges, docks, jetties and piers. They rarely venture over sandy stretches of beaches and inlets, and because the overwhelming majority of their diet is made up of shellfish, they congregate around barnacle-encrusted pilings and over oyster beds.