Ocean Isle April 2006
Barrett, at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports nearshore water temperatures still hovering below the magic 61 to 62 for Atlantic bonito to show up. They should show up on the artificial reefs in 40 to 65’ of water eating glass minnows any day now.
Bottom fishing nearshore has been good for black sea bass using Gulp squid or cut bait.
The stream has been hit or miss lately with finding good pockets of water in the mid 70s, so the wahoo and yellowfin tuna bite has been inconsistent. However, it could go off anytime now.
Bottom fishing for red grouper on the break around 160’ of water has been very good, with fish ranging 10-30 lbs. The only king mackerel bite to speak of is in the Frying Pan Tower area.
Stan Gurganis, at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore the redfish and speckled trout have been biting. The reds are mostly in the waterway along dropoffs and docks. They’re biting Gulp baits the best. The trout are hitting artificial shrimp under popping corks in the canals and marinas in the area.
A few flounder are showing up hitting artificials in shallow water and area with dark bottom.
Pam, at Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports good catches of whiting on cut shrimp. A few medium-sized spots are mixed in as well. No trout yet, but there have been a few undersized flounder. Sharks and skates are the only other thing tugging on lines.
Cecil, at The Rod and Reel Shop, reports good spring fishing starting up. Whiting and spots are running in the surf biting cut shrimp. Speckled trout are in the rivers, canals, and waterway taking artificials, mud minnows, or the early mullet that are around. A few flounder are making their way inshore.
Offshore, the bottom fishing has been slow unless you can get to the deep water 30+ miles off. The king bite has been at the Frying Pan tower area.
Gulf stream action has been good for wahoo, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna when the wind allows trips.
