Ocean Isle – May 12, 2016
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream fishing has been solid around the Black Jack area. There have been some nice catches of mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna. Trolling skirted small ballyhoo has been productive, with the tuna taking particular interest in pink-skirted baits.
James Lutz (age 15), of Oak Island, caught this 30 lb. king off Oak Island Pier on a pinfish.
Hunter, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that flounder have been caught around the inlets and creeks using live mud minnows and artificial baits on jigheads.
Whiting are still being reported, with cut shrimp being the bait of choice.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are starting to show up near local beaches and around area piers, but the action has been hit or miss so far.
Gary and Pat Pollard with a 55 lb. wahoo they caught inshore of the Blackjack. The fish fell for a purple and black Blue Water Candy Jag.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that red and black drum are being caught using crabs fished on the bottom. Schools of fish have been moving around Dunn Sound as well as behind Sunset and Ocean Isle beaches. Tubbs Inlet has also been producing fish, and dock fishing along the waterway is picking up as the fish are starting to move into their warmer water patterns.
Trout fishing has been good around Little River and Shallote River. Fishing live shrimp around shell banks has been productive. The trout are also starting to take an interest in topwater plugs early in the morning and late in the evening.
Flounder fishing has been steadily improving over the past couple of weeks and expect it to get even better with the arrival of big numbers of pogies on the way. Tubbs Inlet and Cherry Grove have been producing many fish on live mud minnows, but most of the flatfish have been on the smaller side. It seems more larger flounder are being caught around Shallote River and Lockwood Folly.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Bait & Tackle, reports that mahi fishing in the 100-400 area has been on fire with one particular trip putting 60 (most gaffer-sized) fish on the boat. Wahoo and blackfin tuna have also been caught along with the mahi. Fish have been caught trolling as well as sight casting to schools of fish that show up right around the boat.
Close to the beach, schools of menhaden have shown up, and these bait schools are providing some early action with cobia.
Inshore the flounder bite has started to turn on around the Shallotte River and Lockwood Folly. Fishing live mud minnows and small pogies has been the way to go for the flounder, with some larger fish over 5 lbs. being caught.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with whiting and trout on the bottom on cut shrimp.
Flounder have been caught, but most have been undersized.
Plug casters have been catching spanish mackerel. The spanish have generally been on the smaller size, but there has been some decent sized fish mixed in.
The water temperature is currently 67 degrees.
