Ocean Isle June 9, 2011
Ronald Worthington, of Ocean Isle, with a 6.5 lb. flounder he hooked in the ICW on a small live croaker.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that a cycle of good fishing has finally arrived. The king mackerel bite turned on in the middle of last week, with boats reporting decent action at Lighthouse Rocks, the 90/90’s, the Jungle, the Shark Hole, and other local spots. The best fishing seems to have been in the shallower areas in the 50-60’ range recently. Live menhaden are the best baits for the kings, and schools have been moving along the beachfront from Little River all the way to Southport, so loading up the livewell shouldn’t be much of a challenge.
Good numbers of cobia (most 20-30 lbs.) and some dolphin have been in the mix with the mackerel.
The Gulf Stream bite has been up-and-down lately. The best dolphin action has been a bit inshore of most of the usual spots in 120-130’ of water over the past week. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action out in the blue water.
Grouper fishing has been hit-or-miss as well, but anglers found some good action with gags and scamps at structure in around 100’ of water last week. Live baits are the best bet for the larger groupers.
Black sea bass are feeding on structure from just off the beaches on out, but the best action for larger fish has been in 80-100’ of water. Bottom rigs baited with squid and cut baits are attracting plenty of attention from the bass.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are following the menhaden schools along the beachfront and taking an interest in trolled Clarkspoons and other lures.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the Gulf Stream bite has slowed a bit, but anglers are still catching decent numbers of dolphin while trolling the blue water. Rigged squid have been producing as well or better than ballyhoo with the dolphin lately.
Dolphin are on the move inshore as well, and anglers caught several while bottom fishing in around 100’ of water last week.
Amberjacks, gag and scamp grouper, and some cobia are feeding around structure in the 100’ range, and all are taking an interest in live menhaden.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding along the beachfront, and trolled Clarkspoons are producing plenty of action with the spaniards.
Inshore, the flounder bite has been excellent of late, with big numbers of fish falling for live baits and Gulps around Lockwood Folly lately.
Ryann Sinclair, of Mooresville, NC, with the 2 lb., 9 oz. pompano she hooked near the west end of Ocean Isle Beach while surf-fishing with shrimp. Weighed in at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder bite remains excellent in Tubbs Inlet. Like last week, the ratio of keepers to throwbacks has been highly variable (with well over half keepers one day, then only 10-20% the next). Live mud minnows, tiger-side minnows, and Gulp baits are all getting plenty of attention from the flatfish.
Some red drum are on the feed in the creeks and around ICW docks, and they’re taking an interest in chunks of crab on Carolina rigs and all the same baits that are fooling the flounder.
Jacob, of J & J Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still catching big numbers of flounder around Shallotte Inlet and Shallotte River. Live baits are producing some fish, but Deep Creek and Saltwater Assassin soft plastics are doing at least as well and seem to be attracting the larger fish.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and some large bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom are connecting with good numbers of keeper flounder.
Some spadefish and spot are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
