Ocean Isle May 30, 2013
Sam and Scott Littlefield, Steve Heath, Bradlee Littlefield, and Lee Heath with a 26 lb. king mackerel that they hooked just west of the Shallotte Inlet sea buoy while trolling on the “Never Enough II.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that cobia have been the big story lately, with anglers finding fish along the beach, at nearshore spots like the General Sherman and 90/90’s, and on out to the 80’ range offshore. They aren’t huge (most 20-30 lbs. with some to 60+), but it’s the most cobia in the area in recent memory, and they’ve been cooperative as well, taking an interest in live menhaden, large bucktails, and other jigs.
Anglers are hooking an occasional king mackerel in the same range, but they’ve been few and far between recently.
Offshore, the dolphin action remains consistent at Gulf Stream spots like the Blackjack Hole and 100/400, and a few wahoo are in the mix as well. Skirted ballyhoo are fooling both the dolphin and wahoo.
Some of the ‘phins have begun pushing inshore, and there was a decent bite in around 100’ of water last week, too. Anglers can drag ballyhoo in the shallower water as well, but live-baiting with menhaden also proved quite productive last week.
Back toward the beach, spanish mackerel have been numerous and hungry lately, with anglers boxing up some impressive catches while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and torpedo sinkers.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder bite continues to improve in the area (with around 1/3 of the fish keepers). The best action has been in Cherry Grove lately, but Tubbs Inlet has also been producing when the water’s clean. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs are what most anglers are fishing, but menhaden are beginning to show up inshore as well (though many are on the large side for flounder baits).
Red drum are starting to move into their summertime haunts, with some action still taking place in the creeks. The lower tides are producing best in the creeks, and live mud minnows on jigheads are tough for the reds to turn down.
Some black drum are mixed in with the reds and will respond better to shrimp.
Glenda Oldenburg, of Montana, with an over-slot red drum that struck a live shrimp at the Little River jetties. She was fishing with Capt. Kyle Hughes of Speckulator Charters.
Both drum species are also feeding around docks and other hard structure in the ICW, where they’ll be all summer long. Live shrimp should be available to cast-netters soon, and they’re hard to beat for fooling both.
Speckled trout are showing up around the Little River jetties, though the bite is up-and-down. Live shrimp drifted on float rigs are tempting them to bite at the rocks.
Spadefish and cobia have shown up around the General Sherman wreck and other nearshore structure.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout are feeding around the rock jetties at Little River Inlet, and anglers are hooking them on float rigs baited with live shrimp. Some fat sheepshead are also taking an interest in the shrimp.
Red and black drum are still feeding in the creeks and around structure in the ICW, and, like the trout, they’ve got a tough time turning down a live shrimp. Mud minnows are also effective baits for the reds.
Flounder are showing up in Tubbs Inlet, Cherry Grove, and other spots inshore, but many are still on the small side. Live mud minnows will tempt plenty of bites from the flatfish, but anglers who can find larger baits like peanut menhaden stand much better chances of connecting with the keepers.
Trey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout and flounder while fishing live baits from the pier.
Spanish mackerel and a few bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishermen are hooking more blues and a few sea mullet on shrimp.
