Lets see, just where do you begin talking about fishing/catching in June….. Well you got to start somewhere so lets just start with Flounder. Although there will be some short fish in June, they will be getting bigger as the month progresses. Look for them at the mouths of creeks and in the creeks at ambush areas like rip rap along Southport water front and all the way out to the near shore reefs. There will be some mullet minnows here in June and most will still be small. So, net you a live well full of peanut pogies, or just purchase some mud minnows from local tackle and seafood shops and rig them up on “carolina rig” outfits. For Flounder fishing I like to 12 to 15 lb. line with a 1 or 2 ounce egg weight, a barrel swivel then a piece of 17 to 20 pound flourocarbon leader with a wide bend #4 hook. If you can’t get live bait then no worries. All you have to do is get some minnows like the GULP! and rig them up on Betts “Flounder Fanatic” bottom rig or Jig rig. And Betts also makes the “Flounder fanatic” rig in a Buck Tail Version. They are all great for catching flounder, so much so they are all patented!!!
When you get your limit of Flounder take those same live baits you have left and hit the creeks at areas like those behind Bald Head Island, creeks and areas up river, and spots all along the river. Speckled Trout and Red Drum will hit these same baits and these areas are good now for the trout and drum. Fish some on the carolina rigs, some under a cork, some just free lined and you should have some action from these fish. Be sure to take with you some Betts Halo Shads and Perfect Sinker Shrimp. I haven’t seen artificial’s out fish live bait very often, but I have witnesses and proof that it sometimes happens. I have had reports lately that the Vu Du Shrimp under the VuDu rattling cork, and the 3.5 Kick A Mullet lures have been putting some nice Specs in boats as well. I remember one time in particular when we had a bait well full of pretty live shrimp and every trout we caught that day came off the Halo Shad in 1/8 ounce. Remember, the only reason I said this is because I have witnesses that were fishing with me and it really happened!!! fish can be very picky at times, that’s why we keep going back!!! Also, if you have never had a Speckled Trout to hit a top water lure, you don’t know what you are missing and now is a good time to fish on top.
Like I have said before I like to catch all fish. They don’t have to be big for me to enjoy the fight. Just match your tackle to the size fish you are after and they can all be fun to catch. And one of the fun and great eating Pan Fish that is in the mouth of the Cape Fear river in June is the Whiting, some call them Virginia Mullet, up in the Chesapeake Bay area they are know as King Fish. One of the best ways to “load” the boat with these fish is to use Betts Tackle’s rig “The Real Deal” ( I Like the 1/16 size) baited up with fresh shrimp pieces can offer a fun day for the family and kids catching fish like Whitings, Croakers , Grey trout, Black Bass, etc..
The Spanish Mackerel bite in June is usually wide open and there should be some Blue Fish mixed in with them. Here I like to troll from 5 to 7 MPH or 6 to 8 knots while pulling 00 and 0 Clark Spoons on #1 and #2 Planers. Also, I will have a 1 to 2 ounce trolling weight with a Clark Spoon down the middle and a bird rig up on top with either a clark Spoon or a Mackerel Tree rig. On the Mackerel Tree we have caught as many as 5 Spanish Mackerel at a time on these when you go through a school of feeding fish.
June is time to keep your eyes open for Cobia on or near the beach. Casting Bucktails with a trailer to areas that provide cover is a good place to try for cobia. A ” Delco Cheeta Cat Cobia Jig” is one they very seldom can turn down. Keep this rod handy and if you are fishing for flounder, Kings, etc; on the beach you might have a cobia check you out at the boat. Also, if you see some rays swimming by, make a cast to them, lots of times cobia will be swimming along under these.
King Mackerel should be close in now feeding on the bait that’s on the beach now plus they will follow the Spanish Mackerel and Blue Fish and feed on these as well. I feel that live bait like pogys is you best bait for the near shore King Mackerel so I would take the time to get these if I could. Offshore King Mackerel will readily take a frozen cigar minnow rigged up on one of Capt. Bob Earl’s “Pirate Plug” lures!!!
Heading offshore, I could probably take up the rest of the magazine writing about this, but just let me say that when the winds and weather let you go it’s always good Bottom Fishing offshore of Southport / Oak Island, NC beaches. The bottom fishing is so good that we guarantee you to catch fish on our trips or there is no charge of any kind. You get a free boat trip if we don’t come back with fish!! If you are a “purist” and want to specifically target grouper, take the time to get live baits. There is a difference in bottom fishing and grouper fishing, so make the necessary arrangements and go to the areas necessary for the quarry you want to catch.
Usually by June the stream is slowing some, but, that’s not to say you can’t catch fish there. Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, and even Mahi will be scattered about there actually all summer and some Ballyhoo’s pulled on your favorite Laceration Lure head should get you some bites. However, it’s a long ride from Southport to the Blue Waters and I prefer May and October for those trips. Now since I said that you will be able to go now and load the boat!!!!
There’s lots more fish to catch than I covered here, but, space won’t allow any more for now. Whatever you fish for, Please be safe, Take a Kid Fishing when you can and just have fun. Life’s to short to stress over a fish!!!!! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to read my report and God Bless You All!!!!
Fish On!!!
Capt. Butch Foster
www.yeahrightcharters.com
Call: (910) 845-2004
“Fishing the waters off NC coast for over 53 years”