Ocean Isle – August 13, 2015
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite has turned back on a bit at local spots in 80’ of water and deeper. Anglers are hooking the kings on live baits like menhaden as well as dead cigar minnows.
Bottom fishermen have found excellent numbers of beeliners around structure starting in the 80’ depths and offshore to the break. Most are falling for small pieces of squid and cut baits.
Anglers are also reporting increasing numbers of gag grouper while bottom fishing in less than 100’. Larger cut, whole, and live baits are better bets for the gags.
Tarpon have been feeding along the beachfront and in the river mouth near Southport.
Luke Humphreys, of Raleigh, with a flounder that attacked a live finger mullet while he was fishing in Tubbs Inlet with Capt. Jeff Williamson of Get Busy Charters.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still picking up decent numbers of flounder in Tubbs Inlet. Most are falling for live finger mullet on Carolina rigs. A few more flounder have been coming from ICW structure like docks and biting the same baits.
Anglers are still hooking flatfish around nearshore structure in the ocean as well, but the bite hasn’t been as consistent as in previous years. Larger live baits are often better bets for the ocean fish.
Speckled trout continue to feed along shell banks between Ocean Isle and Little River (with many small fish but some solid keepers in the mix). Anglers are hooking the specks while drifting live shrimp close to the banks on float rigs.
There has also been some action with larger specks along the Little River jetties over the past week, but the bite has been tough to forecast. Live shrimp under floats are the way to go at the jetties as well.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are chasing baits outside the inlets, especially on falling tides (with some large spanish in the mix). It’s been tough to get them to bite artificials recently, but anglers who drift or slow-troll with live baits around the activity stand a chance at hooking up with some of the big spaniards.
Red drum are still looking for meals in the creeks, with decent action near Sunset Beach last week. Some black drum are mixed in, and both are pouncing on live shrimp.
Deron Webb, of Winnabow, NC, with an over-slot red drum he landed while wade-fishing inshore at Sunset Beach.
Marshall, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishermen have been hooking some spadefish on shrimp.
Anglers fishing live baits under the pier are connecting with a few speckled trout and flounder.
John Neese and Trent Duhan with a 5 lb., 6 oz. flounder that struck a trolled mud minnow in the ICW at Ocean Isle.
