Ocean Isle March 2007
Clint, at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the blue water action is beginning early this year (when the weather gives boats a chance to get there). One boat recently caught several wahoo up to 47 lbs., as well as a yellowfin tuna, near the 100/400 last week, as a finger of warm water made its way by the area. The Gulf Stream is running around 68-69 degrees right now, and as soon as the Stream gets into the low 70’s, the fish should be here and feeding.
Anglers looking to get in on the spring Gulf Stream action would be wise to pull spreads of naked and skirted ballyhoo for tuna and shots at billfish. Wahoo will be more interested in a dark colored plug, such as a purple/black Braid Speedy, fished in the propwash.
King mackerel are 40-45 miles offshore, and since live baits are scarce, planers and trolling spoons are the lures of choice for kings right now.
Sea bass are holding in the 35-40 mile range, and they’re biting very well for those who make it out there. Some grouper have been caught, but the bite isn’t very consistent.
Kyle, at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that trout are still biting in the Shallotte River. In the shallows of the creeks behind Sunset Beach and Bird Island, red drum are actively feeding on warm days. Anglers are also catching black drum up to 2 lbs. on fresh shrimp at the Sunset Beach Bridge.
As soon as the water warms up a few degrees, big trout (up to 8 lbs.) will be biting in the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers and at the Little River Jetties. There aren’t huge numbers of fish around this early in the year, but some of the fish that are around are huge. While a live bait such as a big shrimp or a peanut pogy is the best way to catch the big specks, a plug like a Mirrolure or Rapala X-Rap will draw strikes as well.
Red drum will begin moving from the skinny water as the temperature rises, and then they will take up residence at the jetties and inlets to feed.
