Ocean Isle – April 23, 2015
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers found some solid blue water action last week while trolling the Gulf Stream. The best action was around the Winyah Scarp in 150-180’ of water, where there have been some flying fish and solid amounts of suspended bait.
Blake Scott, of Wilmington, with a 38″ red drum he caught and released just off Oak Island after it struck a 2 oz. Blue Water Candy Roscoe jig.
Some large wahoo are in the area (to 70+ lbs.) and are feeding alongside blackfin tuna and the first few dolphin of the season.
The dolphin bite has been excellent to the south of the area so far this year, so anglers anticipate some excellent action when the main body of fish arrives in a few weeks. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures like sea witches and Ilanders are fooling most of the wahoo and dolphin, and anglers found excellent results with the blackfins while trolling mahi-patterned cedar plugs.
Billy Brougham, of Apex, NC, with a black drum that bit shrimp near Ocean Isle Beach.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that there was some solid king mackerel action around the Horseshoe last week. Trolled cigar minnows have been fooling big numbers of the kings recently, and the fish should begin moving towards the beach as inshore waters continue to warm over the next few weeks.
Some very large black sea bass are feeding in the same area and pouncing on cigar minnows and other baits dropped to the bottom.
Inshore, flounder have begun to grow more active, and anglers are starting to hook decent numbers (most undersized but some keepers). The fish will be getting bigger and more active by the week as spring wears on. Live mud minnows and Gulp baits fished on jigheads and Carolina rigs will fool the flatfish.
Kyle, of Speculator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that fishing is starting to improve after a somewhat slow spring season.
Red drum are feeding around docks and other structure along the ICW from Sunset Beach to Ocean Isle. There are also some fish in the creeks, but they’ve moved from their shallow wintering holes to deeper spots where they’ll spend the summer.
Black drum are mixed in with the reds at many of the spots, and both will pounce on a shrimp or chunk of blue crab.
Speckled trout action has improved inshore as well, and anglers found a pretty decent bite at some of the typical spots in the Shallotte River and ICW near Calabash and Little River. Soft plastic shrimp imitations like Vudu and Halo models are attracting attention from the specks.
Flounder fishing is also showing some signs of life, and anglers are finding the fish in Tubbs Inlet, Cherry Grove, and other shallow areas (most are undersized but keepers are mixed in). Live mud minnows and soft plastics will attract attention from the flatfish.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet, black drum, and bluefish on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits.
