Ocean Isle June 21, 2007
Brant, of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the hot Gulf Stream action has moved inshore, with good catches of 10-20 lb. dolphin coming off structure and weedlines in the 20-40 mile range. There are plenty of kings mixed in with the dolphin, and they’ll both strike dead cigar minnows.
Kings are feeding from the nearshore structure on out, which should be good news for anglers fishing this weekend’s Jolly Mon KMT. Anglers are catching good numbers of kings at inshore spots like the Yaupon Reef, but the king bite has also been hot at the Lighthouse Rocks, Shark Hole, 90/90, and the 65’ Hole.
While the fish will hit dead cigar minnows, anglers can generate more interest from the kings with live menhaden. The menhaden are schooled in the ocean, and pods of them are moving along the beaches.
Kyle, of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the trout bite is good at the Little River Jetties and in the Cherry Grove area. Mud minnows drifted under floats are accounting for most of the trout, which average around 2 lbs. with an occasional fish up to 4 lbs.
Flounder fishing is still good, and most of the fish in the area are now legal-sized keepers. The flounder will strike mud minnows and peanut pogies on Carolina rigs, and good numbers of the flatfish are coming from Tubbs Inlet and the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers. Anglers are finding a few bigger flounder (4+ lbs.) around the rock jetties at Little River Inlet.
Spadefish are still schooled up on the General Sherman and Jim Caudle reefs.
Spanish mackerel have been abundant around the inlets, but they’ve been somewhat picky about feeding.
Trey, of the Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching speckled trout and flounder on live shrimp fished under floats early in the mornings.
Bottom fishing has been slow, although anglers are catching sharks on shrimp at night.
Plug casters are hooking up with bluefish on Gotchas, but not many spanish mackerel were caught last week.
