Fishing Report

6-20-08 Double Trip Offshore... and an inshore

Southport Angler Outfitters — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:39:29 GMT

Had two boat loads of the Apex Fire Department on board(both Parker boats)... The seas were a little rougher than predicted. We still did well with the Amberjacks, King Mackerel, and the peanut dolphin. A great group of guys as always... and I bet fish is one the menu at the fire station this week!

Brandon Dean had Tom Gelding and his wife aboard for a 1/2 day inshore trip. They did well with 6 speckled trout, 3 redfish, and a couple flounder. Most fish were caught on live shrimp and mullet minnows...

6-19-08 Riggins Family

Southport Angler Outfitters — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:25:03 GMT

The Riggins family and Capt Chad Casteen had a great 1/2 day trip. They worked on the Spanish in the morning and then caught some big sharks later in the morning. Also made an inshore stop and caught a few flounder...

Fishing 6-13 thru 6-15

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:19:38 GMT

Had several trips over the weekend-

Friday- we fly fished and sight cast spinning gear at the Spanish Macks. The fish were busting good but were a little picky on what they wanted- and they were really boat shy a long cast was the only way to get them. It's getting to be the time of the year when they start on the little bait. Ended the day drifting a couple of Spanish and catching a nice shark.

Sat- picked up Charlie Wilson and 7 year old little Charlie(always a fun trip). We headed to what Little Charlie calls it "the rock". He hammered the black bass on 10 pound test- until his arms were tired! This kid is going to be some fisherman. Also caught a few Spanish on the way home.

Sun- I was going to take the day off but got a call from Jerry- soon to be "uncle Jerry". Seems his 55' Viking was having motor trouble and he wanted to go fishing on Father's Day. These guys catch huge mako sharks up in Jersey and winter in Florida(I felt a little pressure). We ended up going trout fishing and when we finally found them it was on... I only had 48 shrimp and I wish I would have had 148! After the shrimp was gone we did manage a few fish on gulps and peanut pogies. Kept enough for dinner and then went flounder fishing. It was slow compared to the trout but we did managed one really nice flat fish. What a great group of guys to hang out with on Father's Day! I hope their motor does not break down again but if it has to happen I hope it's in Southport so we can hang out again...

June 5th -8th

Southport Angler Outfitters — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:16:22 GMT

Pretty good fishing this weekend- the Spanish are still biting right off the beach. We got them both trolling and sight casting... One boat had some really big sharks mixed in as well. Plenty of pogies off the beach so maybe the king macks will be close behind...

Inshore the fishing is very slow (for me)- If you have live shrimp then it's always a trip maker... There are a few small flounder showing up and it should be getting better everyday.

Here are some pictures from last week's grouper trip Chad Casteen and I went on... Very nice size fish! The 30-50 pound Amberjacks were everywhere...


                                                            A couple of BIG SCAMPS

                                                                A nice Red Grouper


                          The entire school of jacks followed this litte guy up and put on a show...
                                                http://blog.fishsouthport.com/2008/06/09/june-5th-8th.aspx

Fishing Report May 29th -31st

Southport Angler Outfitters — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:11:59 GMT

Friday-Nearshore Rob Millet and I headed out to do a little of everything. Rob has the same Parker SE boat as I do and he wanted a little more knowledge of the area. We hit all of the trout spots (fishable from a 23 footer) and then headed out to the ocean to try some Spanish. The Spanish were biting pretty well- not huge fish but all keepers. We rigged a couple of Spanish up and Rob caught a nice 50-60 pound black tip shark. Hit a few inshore reefs and caught plenty of black bass, bluefish and of course toad fish. The flounder should be here any day now...

Friday-Inshore Capt Brandon Dean had a excellent inshore trip with Mike and Mike Sr! They started off the morning by hammering the specks- then moved up a creek to find several nice redfish... Sounded like big fun! Their fish came off of live shrimp, gulps, and spinner baits.

Saturday Nearshore- Picked up Brandon Rabon and crew from Bald Head Island- we had been going grouper fishing but the wind picked up and we decided to stay close to the beach... The surprise of the day was catching an 18 pound king mackerel while trolling for Spanish.

Sunday Nearshore- My charter canceled at the last minute! But Rob Millet had called to see if I could go again- he had a couple of friends who wanted to go... Perfect timing! We trolled for about 20 minutes until the sun got up good and the Spanish and Bluefish started a feeding frenzy! Put up the trolling gear and "sight casted" to hunders of bsuting fish- the rest of the morning. It was as GOOD AS IT GETS!!!! I'm not sure how many fish we caught but it was up there- all were release to fight again!


                         Mike and Mike with some nice trout caught on live shrimp!


                                        A nice king caught while trolling for Spanish!

                                                                Spanish Hookup...
                                        http://blog.fishsouthport.com/2008/06/02/fishing-report-may-29th-31st.aspx

                                        Rob with one of MANY Spanish caught Saturday...

Fishing Report 5.28.08 Casteen Grouper

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:56:12 GMT

Chad Casteen had a good grouper/bottom fishing trip on Monday. With Ivan, Bruce, and Don aboard they made a couple of stops before they hit the fish- but they all hung in there until the bite turned on... Along with the really nice red grouper- the usual bottom suspects were biting as well. Beeliners, Silver Snappers, and of course sharks...

Chad's got some open days coming up and the fish are biting- give him a call directly @ 910-477-0222 or click link below
Check Availibility/Book Online


                                                                        A nice red grouper!!!

                                            HANG ON- The first 10 feet are the toughest!!!!

Memorial Weekend Report 5/24

Southport Angler Outfitters — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:44:53 GMT

Saturday - John Stonehouse and I spent the morning sight casting to Spanish Mackerel.   We had an excellent morning and then about 10:30 someone turned on the big fan and the wind cranked up to about 25 mph... I guess that is the big news of the weekend is that the Spanish have arrived in FULL FORCE- and if you have never sight cast to them with a light spinning rod or fly rod - it's really fun.

Sunday- Dave Balmer and I headed out to try and catch them on the flyrod. Looked a couple of places first but the wind from the night before had the ocean stirred up big time. We finally found them and when we did it was non-stop casting to busting fish for about 3 hours. Dave turns around one time and says "Man this is an adrenaline rush" - this guy flies jets for the Air Force so go figure.  Chasing Spanish and sight casting(either fly fishing or spin fishing) I think is some of the most exciting fishing there is... you motor up to a school of busting fish and get one or two cast in before they move away! We had a really action packed morning and I can't wait for Dave to get hooked into a 15 pound false albacore this fall!

Monday- Promised my daughter I would take her and her friend Hogan fishing. So even though it was a little rough we took off and caught 8 Spanish in about an hour and a half. Nothing like two 7 year olds cranking them in!!!


                            Hogan with a couple of Spanish from Monday Afternoon

Fishing Report 5/17 & 5/18

Southport Angler Outfitters — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:22:17 GMT

Report from the weekend -two half day inshore trips...

Saturday- had Wells Martin and brother-in-law Jerry aboard. We chased redfish and trout. The water was no very clear but we did manage to find one small school of reds that would bite. Wells hooked a nice fish that pulled off some drag then came unhooked- then he landed one on the next cast. Jerry also caught a red as well. We hit spot after spot on could only manage one speck. Sorry no pictures of Wells - we made him cameraman for the day- but he did catch fish- I promise!!! We had a good time and I hope to have these guys back soon!

Sunday- had John Hogg and friend Larry aboard. We debated on whether to even go or not the forecast was for the wind to pick up to 30+ mph at lunch time. We took a chance and hid out in some smaller creeks. John was one the best fly casters I have ever had- this guy was good! But Larry was chunking live shrimp and given the choice the fish would not eat any flies! We tried a flat to try and find one big fish in the shallows- but the wind was unbearable! Ended up with four reds and a speckled trout- Good morning with some great guys...

Congratulations to Brandon Dean and Chad Casteen they fished the Fisherman's Post Spring Inshore Challenge and both finished in the top 10! We have a couple of openings for the weekend and the weather is looking nice - give us a call at 866-395-FISH...


                                        Larry with a red that jumped on a live shrimp


                                     Jerry with a Red that gulped up a Blurp Jerkbait

5.14.08 Fishing Report

Southport Angler Outfitters — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:37:31 GMT

Some days you get them some days you don't... We went grouperless yesterday!!! Caught some really big Beeliners(vermillion snappers) as well as a few silver snappers... Also caught a big Amberjack and lost a really nice cobia (50+ pounds)at the boat- preety exciting!!! Had one big grouper almost to the boat and lost him! Just one of those days...

But- Hey how many times can you get your picture taken with your dad at the tower!

Casteen Grouper Trip 5.7.08

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:52:00 GMT

Chad Casteen had an excellent grouper trip on 5/7/08! Everyone caught a limit and they were all big nice fish. The fish are biting just check the weather give us a call and let's go fishing!!!!

Rough- Windy Fishing Report 5-6-2008

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:02:25 GMT

Had friend Dan Dauchess along with his friend Jerry aboard. The wind was suppose to blow 10 knots- it did ----plus 10 more!!! The 2-3 foot seas were more like 3-5 footers. But we still managed a some grouper. Most of the were a little too short but did manage enough keepers. These guys were both good fisherman- and under the conditions we did pretty well...

USS North Carolina

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:33:48 GMT

Chad Casteen snapped some really nice pictures of the USS North Carolina on the way out of the river after being Christened in Wilmington, NC.

How would you like to be these guys trying to catch a flounder! Now you see them now you don't!

Fishing Report 5-2 & 5-3

Southport Angler Outfitters — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:27:09 GMT

Chad Casteen ended up with a good day offshore Friday- even though the winds were a little harder than expected and the sea conditions were a little choppy. Ended up catching some nice Scamps (grouper) and a ARS - American Red Snapper. He also reported plenty of other critters on the bottom biting as well- Plenty of Vermilion Snappers and Silver Snappers as well as some nice black bass.

Brandon Dean had a 1/2 day inshore Sat morning and had a good trip with a few trout a couple of nice redfish and a flounder. The trout were caught on live shrimp- everything else was caught on Gulp baits.

Back at it again tomorrow- will have more to come....

Fishing Report 5-1-08

Southport Angler Outfitters — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:50:06 GMT

Chad Casteen had a good trip offshore and had an excellent catch of Grouper, King Mackerel ,and Snapppers. Chad's back at it again today so I will report the results on Monday.

He's open next Tuesday and Wednesday 5/6 & 5/7 and the weather's looking great- get out there and catch some fish!

14 king Mackerel were caught off the pier last week so there are fish close to shore as well!


                                                    One Happy Kid!

                                                                Another Good Scamp

Fishing Report 4-25-08

Southport Angler Outfitters — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:40:23 GMT

After being out of commission for a while (from being sick) I finally got back on the water!

Tony Delagato and I headed offshore and we had a perfect day to go! We stopped and jigged bait until the live well was full and then headed to some rocks to grouper fish.

The grouper were not biting that great but Tony still managed his limit - with 4 scamps and one nice red grouper. We caught some of the biggest black bass I've caught all year as well. A few vermillion snappers and some silver snappers as well.

The BIG sharks moved in and Tony ended up getting at least three of them to the boat. They were not the usually small dog sharks these guys were 60-80 pound blacktips and but up some fight.

Stopped back by Frying Pan Tower and caught a limit of king mackerel in a matter of minutes! We could only get 2 rods out (and usually only one out before we had a fish on).... It was a great day- and I know Tony's arm were tired- but it was a good tired!!!   What a great guy to fish with!


                                                Tony with a Big Red Grouper!


                Jacks were everywhere! All we needed was a fly rod and 45 minutes!

Offshore April 4-12

Southport Angler Outfitters — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:21:58 GMT

Fishing has been pretty good the last few days. King Mackerel are fired up at Frying Pan Tower. Also dropped down yesterday and caught some nice grouper. Sorry no pictures- I put my camera in a safe place and forgot where the safe place was.

The water warmed up almost 5 degrees in one day- 73.5 at the tower and 66.5 at the inlet! Everything moving closer to shore and hungry- what more could you ask for! Let's go fishing.

3.28.08 Report

Southport Angler Outfitters — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:08:26 GMT

Fished with Whit Fosburgh (vp of Trout Unlimited) and his son Peter, and friend Paul.  They were down on spring break and I had looked forward to fishing with them again this year. We had a good trip last spring and we all wanted to top it this year...

We started off fishing to some really nice reds that were waking and pushing water down a bank at dead low tide. Threw everything at them but they would not bite! Nice class of fish- not sure what the problem was?

Moved on and fished several more spots before finding the lucky dock and pulling out 9 reds (one on the fly) and the elusive croaker on the fly as well... Great time and good to see these guys again!

Here's Pete with an 18 spotter!!!


Paul graduated from '07 Croaker King to the '08 Druminator this year...

Fishing Report March 17-21

Southport Angler Outfitters — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:03:48 GMT

Fished Andros Island - what a place- big bonefish- great food and good guys to spend the week with. Stayed at the Andros Island Bonefish Club-reasonable rates and good guides. I would recommend it if you want to go and spend some time in clear water and miles of unspoiled shoreline.

Only in Andros can you have a bonefish song and dance LIVE...Hope you enjoy as much as we all did!

                                            http://blog.fishsouthport.com/2008/03/22/fishing-report-march-1721.aspx

A few pics from the trip...

Fishing 3-6-07

Southport Angler Outfitters — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:33:27 GMT

Spent a day with two of the nicest - FUNNIEST guys around. Ken Dickens (Jr) is soon to graduate from NC State - in civil engineering- so his dad and I had a plan to put him on some reds! Usually when you plan a trip this far in advance the weather is horrible- but not today! It was really nice for a change. The water was a little off color due to all of the recent rain but we still managed a few fish.

Kent caught one soon after we started and although not a monster red at least we would not be skunked!

Moved to another spot where I had found a big school of fish a couple of weeks before and it took us about 20 minutes to find them but when we did we caught 6 out of that school before they wised up...

Moved again and found some really large fish- Kent caught the biggest fish of the day a nice 24+" red. Got a few shots with the fly rod but they were a little picky- had a couple of fish swirl on it but no hookups. It was a great day with a really nice father and son team aboard. That's what fishing is all about!!!

Fishing Report 3/1/08

Southport Angler Outfitters — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:53:00 GMT

A little on the rough side yesterday- ok it was really rough- suppose to lay down in the afternoon but I think the wind blew harder as the day went on. Still better than sitting around the house all day. The king mackerel bit pretty well - and all of them were jumbos! Big fish for this early in the year. The fish below was well over 30 pounds and we lost another one at the boat just as big.

Plenty of birds working about 20 miles offshore so I'm sure the bonita are there - just did not have time to stop yesterday...