Ocean Isle June 16, 2011
Dave Gardner, from Cornelius, NC, with 5 lb., 4 oz. and 4 lb., 11 oz. flounder he hooked on white Gulp baits while fishing the Lockwood Folly River with Terry Sossamon of Holden Beach.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite is still solid off the area. Anglers are hooking up with the kings at Lighthouse Rocks, 15 Mile Rock, the Shark Hole, the 90/90’s, and many other spots off the Brunswick Beaches (most fish still 8-12 lb. schoolies, but a few to 20+ lbs. have been landed lately). The most consistent action recently has been at the shallower spots.
Live menhaden are the best baits for the mackerel, and there have been plenty working along the beachfront from Oak Island to Little River.
Dolphin and decent numbers of cobia are feeding in the same areas as the kings, and they will readily bite a live menhaden.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are harassing the schools of menhaden along the beachfront and will hit trolled Clarkspoons. Anglers can also cast metal jigs on light tackle to hook up with the fish when they’re actively feeding on the surface.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder bite in Tubbs Inlet just keeps going. Anglers are still catching good numbers of keeper flatfish in the inlet on live mud minnows, tiger-side minnows, small menhaden, and on Gulp baits.
Red and black drum are feeding around ICW structure like docks and in the creeks around oyster beds. Both falling and rising tides have been producing action with the drum, with the lower part of the tide cycles hosting the best fishing.
There are plenty of live shrimp showing up in the creeks for anglers looking for baits, and both drum species have been biting them readily.
Amber Whittington and Katie Clay, from Charlotte, with their first saltwater fish, bluefish and spanish mackerel they hooked while trolling the Oak Island beachfront with Amber's parents.
Jacob, of J&J Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite is still solid around Shallotte Inlet, the Shallotte River, and elsewhere in the area. Anglers are catching good numbers of the flatfish on live tiger-side minnows and Sea Assassin soft plastics in chartreuse hues.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that SW winds have the water dirty, but the wind shift should have it cleared up in the next few days.
Sharks, sea mullet, and an occasional bluefish have made up the majority of the catch recently, but anglers can expect improving action with spanish mackerel and flounder once the water clears.
