Ocean Isle July 7, 2011
Kelly Sham, of Greensboro, NC, with a "Calabash Grand Slam"--red and black drum, a speckled trout, and a flounder that fell for live shrimp while he was fishing with Robert Hughes on the "Lil Bro Bro" in the Calabash River.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite has finally turned on, and anglers found good action with the kings in spots in the 65’ range last week (like the Jungle and Shark Hole). Menhaden have been tough to come by lately, so most of the kings are falling for dead baits.
A few dolphin and cobia are feeding in the same areas, and they’re falling for the dead baits as well.
The water has cleared up significantly on the beaches, and consequently, the spanish mackerel action is improving. Boats trolling Clarkspoons in the clean water just off the beaches and inlets should have little trouble finding the spaniards.
Bottom fishermen are reporting some action with grouper, but the bite isn’t incredible. The warming water has the black sea bass thinning out a bit.
Gulf Stream trollers are finding some action with sailfish and white marlin when they make the run to the blue water. Some wahoo are mixed in along the break, and dolphin are joining the action out deeper. Skirted ballyhoo will fool all the Gulf Stream predators.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the bottom fishing has been excellent at spots straight off Holden Beach in around 120’ of water lately. Live baits are producing action with some big scamp and gag grouper (some scamps to 20-25 lbs. lately). Plenty of beeliners, sea bass, triggerfish, grunts, and other smaller bottomfish are feeding in the same areas and will take an interest in squid or cut baits.
Some king mackerel and a few dolphin are feeding in the same areas and taking an interest in light-lined baits while anglers are bottom fishing.
More king mackerel and dolphin are feeding at spots in the 15-20 mile range like the Shark Hole, and they will bite live or dead baits.
The spanish mackerel bite is still solid along the beaches, and trolled Clarkspoons are tough for the little mackerel to pass up.
Sharks are feeding just offshore, too, and large cut baits will tempt them to bite.
Inshore, there’s been a solid flounder bite in the Shallotte River and Inlet. Live mud minnows are fooling the flatfish.
Capt. Jeff Williamson and Jeremy Ridenhour, of Varnamtown, NC, with a 9 lb., 6 oz. flounder that Ridenhour hooked on a 2" finger mullet in the Shallotte River.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that there’s been a consistent red drum bite in Little River Inlet and in the backwaters recently.
Inshore, they’re feeding around oyster rocks in the creeks and docks off the ICW (where a lot of over-slot fish are testing anglers’ tackle and skills). Live pogies are been the best baits for the reds at the inlet lately, with the fish showing a preference for live shrimp inshore.
Anglers fishing live shrimp on jigheads and popping corks in the creeks are also connecting with some black drum.
Flounder fishing has been solid in the Shallotte River over the past week, with most of the fish falling for live menhaden.
Unusually, anglers have recently landed several sizeable tripletail while fishing inshore in the area.
Justin, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that some sea mullet, bluefish, and sharks are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Live baits on the bottom are fooling some flounder.
Plug casters are hooking up with a few spanish mackerel from the planks.
