Looking for opinions. I usually keep my boat at Southport Marina during the summer and fish out out of Southport. Normally target spanish and kings and starting to venture further out for the nearshore mahi. This year, due to the virus shutdowns, I will probably be trailering the boat all summer. So my question is, would I have, in your opinion, better opportunity to catch the mentioned species out of wrightsville or Southport? I really want to do more mahi fishing and I don’t think you have to go as far out from wrightsville given all the reports I normally read but need some real opinions from the guys here that have experience.
Thanks in advance.
Biggest problem with Wrightsville is the actual boat ramp - congested and if during a tide change, it can have a nasty cross current. Have you considered Trails End Ramp and just running back up the ICW to the inlet. Snow's cut is another option but it's a longer drive and back run.
Not sure of the latest, but I heard New Hanover county requested WRC close all their ramps.
Biggest problem with Wrightsville is the actual boat ramp - congested and if during a tide change, it can have a nasty cross current. Have you considered Trails End Ramp and just running back up the ICW to the inlet. Snow's cut is another option but it's a longer drive and back run.
Not sure of the latest, but I heard New Hanover county requested WRC close all their ramps.
Thanks for the feedback. I have thought about trails end. All of the ramps in new Hanover are open now. I also found out today that Southport Marina is opening up next week looks like my problem is solved. Still may fish out of wrightsville more this year though to get more familiar with the water.
I can promise that if you don't have to, you don't want to use Wrightsville boat ramp in the summer. It's sheer insanity, especially when you're trying to come back home at the end of the day. Early (pre-dawn) mornings aren't too bad, since it's mostly fishermen who generally know what they're doing, but once the families, party boys, and drunks start to show up, it goes downhill fast. I've never used Carolina Beach/Snows Cut ramps, so can't speak to those.
As far as which route gives you the shorter run to the mahi, I think it evens out. I know that sometimes folks catch a couple within 15 miles of Masonboro, you're usually going to have to run to 23 mile or further to get them with any consistency (I'm sure someone is going to challenge me on that... but I'm sticking to it). Running out of the Cape Fear, you can fish off the shoals to the Tower a lot quicker than running from Masonboro.
I think the best call is to be flexible if you can, and check the wind. The shoals make a pretty nice wind break, so when the north or northeasterly wind is blowing, you can have a better day out of Cape Fear. Vice versa... those summer southwesterlies might make it nicer to go out of C-beach or Masonboro.
Bright side is, I'm pretty sure that some of the restrictions are going to start lifting before the fishing season gets too far gone. I'd put odds that you'll be able to run out of Southport Marina before the mahi bite gets hot.
Head slightly further north to Morehead for Mahi. Might be a farther trailer pull for you but the boat ride would be much shorter and probably better Mahi fishing.
thanks for the input guys.