Added on Thursday, September 29, 2016  Fish Post

Ocean Isle – September 29, 2016

Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the big red drum have returned, and anglers are catching them right off the beach, as well as around the inlets and jetties. Look for the pogie pods when searching for the fish, and throw live bait, like minnows or pogies.

Those looking for kings can target them near the river channel, with the fall weather pushing them back to shore.

Offshore, anglers are still connecting with sailfish. Trolling around the Same Ol’ Hole has been the place for those looking for a fight with the billfish, and anglers have also reported a strong wahoo bite in the Gulf Stream. The mahi bite has picked up, with gaffer-sized fish landed.

Those wishing to bottom fish can expect to connect with the usual suspects, including vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grouper, and amberjack. Look for the grouper in 100’ of water.

Inshore, the flounder bite has been sporadic, but the ones that are being hooked are of a larger size, with an 8.9 lb. fish recently reported.

The black drum have moved into the waterways and canals, and those looking to connect with them should use live or fresh shrimp. The drum have been between 12-13”, with some bigger ones mixed in.

Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the surf has been producing beautiful bluefish and over-slot red drum. Anglers are also connecting with pompano and whiting, and a few spots have started to show up.

Just off the beach, there have been several reports of large red drum schools off Ocean Isle, and anglers were casting into the schools from shore to hook the fish. Most of the fish were citation sized.

Kings have returned to the nearshore areas, and they can be found in the waters off Yaupon Reef.

Inshore, a few flounder have been hooked with mullet on a Carolina rig, although the flatfish will also fall for mud minnows.

There is a limited red drum bite inshore, and anglers looking to connect with them should use mullet and pogies.

Speckled trout are still being caught, and anglers should target them with live shrimp under a popping cork or regular cork.

Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the bull reds have shown up in the ocean. Anglers are finding the citation-sized fish around bait and pogie pods. Fish a pogie on bottom to connect with the fish, although some anglers have found success throwing artificials and bucktails to the old drum.

There has also been a strong redfish bite around the jetty, but the fish there are smaller, with most in the 30” range. The fish are falling for a pogie or mullet on a drift line.

There have been many spanish hooked on the beach, but they haven’t been bunched up where you can cast to them. Live baiting has been working with these fish, and they are averaging 3-4 lbs. each.

There has been an unusual run of false albacore off the beach, and anglers should cast diamond jigs or similar hardware to hook up with these seasonal fish.

Creek fishing has been tough with the still warm waters and the copious amount of fresh water mixed in. There are the occasional trout in the area, and those should be targeted with live shrimp under a float. Anglers targeting specks may also connect with reds in the 15-20” size range that have been scattered around.

Fishermen are still picking away on flounder in typical inshore spots, as well as off the beach on ARs and wrecks. Mullet on a Carolina rig is the go-to for the flatfish.

Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that fall fishing has arrived and the bite is getting really good. Anglers report hooking citation red drum off the beach, as well as king mackerel swimming in similar areas. The red drum are upwards of 45”.

 

Jim, Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with bluefish, drum, and flounder off the pier. The drum have been lower-slot.

Panfish anglers can expect to hook whiting.

A few kings were reportedly decked in the past week.