Southport December 6, 2007
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that king mackerel are forming large schools around bottom structure and bait concentrations 20-35 miles offshore. Boats trolling dead cigar minnows are landing big numbers of the kings.
The fish move slowly offshore of the area as the water temperatures fall, spending the winter around bait and temperature breaks between the Frying Pan Tower and the break.
Wahoo fishing is still red hot, and the fish running right now are some of the largest of the year. Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted lures should tempt bites from the wahoo, and the bite has been hottest in 150-200’ lately. As long as the water temperatures along the break remain 70 degrees or above, the wahoo should stay in the area all winter.
Wintertime produces some of the year’s best bottom fishing, with jumbo black sea bass feeding on nearshore and deep water structure. As long as the water stays in the mid-50’s, boats should be able to target the big sea bass at structure just off the beach. Squid and cut baits should prove appealing to the bass.
Further offshore, gag grouper are holding around ledges, live bottoms, and wrecks in 75-90’. Live baits are top choices for the bigger gags.
Beeliners and scamp and red grouper should be feeding around deeper structure.
Boats have already hooked several bluefin tuna, and anglers are hoping the fish will make a strong showing as they did last winter. The bluefins could be feeding anywhere there is a good supply of bait, but the General Sherman, AR 455, and the 65’ Hole are good places to begin looking. Horse ballyhoo trolled under large skirted lures are top choices for the enormous fish, which could be anywhere from 2-500+ lbs.
Inshore, red drum and trout are feeding heavily at structure and creek mouths off the ICW. Live shrimp are top baits for both species, but Gulp baits and a variety of other soft plastics will also produce results. A few flounder are still around as, well, but the flatfish bite should be tapering off. The drum and trout, however, should continue to feed on nice days into the winter.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that king mackerel fishing has been excellent in 60-80’ of water in areas 18-25 miles offshore over the past few weeks. Live baits are somewhat scarce, but the kings don’t seem to mind, as trolled dead cigar minnows are drawing plenty of strikes. As the water cools, the fish will move offshore, holding in the 80-90’ depth range until the end of December. The area around Frying Pan Tower should hold fish all winter.
Grouper fishing will also be excellent in the vicinity of the Tower over the winter months. Cigar minnows and cut baits will attract attention from the groupers, but larger Boston mackerel are an even better choice.
It’s bluefin tuna season, and anglers are hoping the giants will make a better showing in area waters than they did last year. When and if they arrive, anglers can look for the huge tunas around the Horseshoe, Shark Hole, and similar areas.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that before the pier closed for the winter, anglers were landing good numbers of whiting, some spot, and bluefish. Shrimp were fooling all three species.
The pier will be re-opening in late March.
