Southport, NC
Southport, NC sits on the inland side of the confluence of the Cape Fear River from the north and the Intracoastal Waterway from the west. Bald Head Island, a car-free vacation destination, and Cape Fear jut out into the Atlantic, providing Southport some protection from ocean swells.
Southport itself is a classic southern town with fishy vibes. There is a quaint downtown area with shopping and coffee shops. Classic, old homes sit on tree-lined neighborhood streets and the proximity to the Intracoastal and the Atlantic means there are real big-boat possibilities.
Southport is the western hub for both the Baldhead Island and Ft Fisher ferries.
A waterfront packed with local restaurants allows you to come by car, foot, or boat to enjoy locally caught seafood. The Fishy Fish Cafe and Provision Company Seafood are two favorite choices.
Boating at Southport
Southport is a great place to fish and boat. There is plenty to do for every kind of fisherman. You can run out into the Atlantic, or tuck back into the grass to chase trout and redfish. One thing to be aware of, though, is the boat traffic. Being the Intracoastal and a major shipping route, there are lots of boats around. And some are really big boats.
The other thing to be aware of is the tides and wind. A huge amount of water comes out of the Cape Fear River and, on the day we were there, the wind was blowing against the tide making for some tall, ominous waves. The high sides of the Atlas Boatworks 23F bay boat were a huge asset in this case.
Where to Launch
We used the ramp at Morningstar Marina. There was a $20 charge for it, but the ramp was nice and there was plenty of parking. The parking lot was not that big, which leads me to think the fee scares people away.
Motoring out of the marina, which dumps out into the Intracoastal Waterway, has you passing a variety of larger sail and power boats.
There is also the Dutchman’s Creek ramp which is a public ramp about 10 minutes from downtown Southport.
Conclusion
Southport, NC is about as fishy a town as they come. Nearly surrounded by water, it is a great jumping-off point for any nautical adventures, even if that is just puttering to a local restaurant for some grub.