[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ugust here in Southport/Oak Island will find the fish biting from the backwater to the Gulf Stream. Starting in the backwater areas will be red and black drum, speckled trout, flounder and other fish such as sheepshead, etc. Mullet minnows will be big enough now to keep the fish on the lookout and a mullet minnow rigged Carolina style and cast to a likely place will surely draw a strike from one of these species.
On the beach front, August will have the Spanish mackerel on the prowl for min- nows like glass minnows, and nothing else I know of does a better job at imitating a glass minnow than a Clark Spoon trolled behind a trolling weight or a planer. Bluefish are very often caught on the same tackle when fishing for the Spanish mackerel.
If sharks are your idea of a great challenge, and rightfully so, then Au- gust is a prime month for these heavy hitters. Heavy tackle and wire leaders are a must here and the fresher the bait the better.
Farther offshore, August is a great month to target bottom fish such as grouper. For the best success here, you need to take the time to jig up live bait while heading offshore. The right bait on the right rock will reward you with your limit of grouper nearly every time. The bottom fishing for fish such as black bass, grey snapper, xermillion snapper, triggerfish, etc. is as good in August as it gets. Here squid and various cut baits will getyour boat’s limits of these fish when you find them and present your bait to them.
August in the Gulf Stream can be a very unpredictable month. Wahoo will be scattered but present as will mahi mahi. August might be the best time for the bill fisherman in the stream. Yes, it’s hot in August here in Southeast North Carolian, but the fishing can be even hotter! So, get off the couch and out of the A/ C, grab a kid and go catch a fish or two and you won’t even realize it’s hot outside! Till next time, God bless you all!
Fish on!