Ocean Isle – November 17, 2016
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore fishing in the backwater has yielded flounder and red drum, with both species hitting Gulp soft plastics.
Gulp will also work on trout, but the best way to target them is with live shrimp.
The king bite is hit or miss in 60’ of water, but dropping down bait to the bottom in that area should connect with grouper.
Further offshore, in 160-220’ of water, blackfin tuna are being hooked, along with wahoo and king mackerel. A sailfish was also reported.
Jack Geentry, of Raleigh, with a speckled trout caught using paddletail jigs off a shell bank near the Shallotte River Inlet.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that trout have started biting, and anglers are having success using mostly artificials.
Anglers using cut bait in the surf have connected with bluefish and red drum of various sizes.
The spots have started to run, and those dropping down a bottom rig with bloodworm can expect to hook them, along with whiting if shrimp is on a hook.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that inshore anglers are connecting with large speckled trout.
Nearshore, there are still some citation-sized reds in the area that anglers have been hooking.
Offshore, the king bite has been solid, and boats are coming back in with their limits.
Jim, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers are having a good run with spots off the pier. A few anglers dropping bottom rigs have brought flounder over the rails, too.
