Ocean Isle – October 12, 2017
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the inshore flounder bite has started to pick back up. Anglers tossing live finger mullet on Carolina rigs around dock structure and marsh lines have found a few keeper fish.
Just off the beach, the bull red drum bite has started to turn on. The fishing isn’t hot, but anglers putting their time in are catching a few fish. Dropping live baits and large cut baits to the bottom have produced best.
Derek, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that just off the beach there are spanish in the 2-4 lb. range feeding. Trolling Clarkspoons has done the trick, and anglers have boated high numbers of fish.
The king bite remains hot nearshore, and most fish have preferred live bait. The kings have ranged anywhere from 15-40 lbs.
In the 20 mile range, the gag grouper bite has been solid. Anglers dropping live baits have found the most fish. A few kings are also holding in that range. Trolling dead cigar minnows and slow trolling live baits have gotten the job done.
Offshore, the wahoo bite remains steady. Trolling medium and large rigged ballyhoo has been the ticket to landing quality fish.
A few scamp grouper have also been landed in the 40 mile range.
Brayden and Caroline McMullan with a 35 lb. king mackerel that hit a live menhaden slow trolled in the Cape Fear shipping channel. They were fishing with Capt. Brant McMullan of Ocean Isle Fishing Center.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the spanish bite remains strong near the beach. Anglers pulling Clarkspoons on #1 planers have boxed the most fish.
Those looking for bull drum have found a few fish around nearshore structure. Dropping fresh cut menhaden on a drum rig has worked best.
The nearshore king bite has heated up around nearshore structure off of Shallotte Inlet. Slow trolling live baits has been the ticket to hooking good numbers of fish.
Dropping live baits around the artificial reefs has produced some quality bottom fish.
In the 20-40 mile range, kings have been feeding well over live bottom. Trolling dead cigar minnows has worked best on the kings.
Out to the 40-50 mile range, there has been a solid grouper bite.
Jacob, of J&J Charters, reports that the inshore bite remains steady. Anglers have found solid numbers of black drum and red drum in area creeks. Fresh shrimp have worked best for the black drum, while live finger mullet have done well with the reds.
When using live finger mullet, a few flounder and speckled trout have been in the mix. A couple of sheepshead have also been landed.
Just off the beach, the bull red drum bite is starting to pick up. Live mullet and large pieces of cut mullet have both worked well.
Stewart, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf fishing has started to heat up. Anglers fishing the bottom with bloodworms, fresh shrimp, and sand fleas have found pompano, bluefish, and a few flounder.
The spot run has also just kicked off. Anglers have landed a few fish, but they should see numbers increasing daily.
A few over-slot red drum have been landed in the suds. Fresh cut mullet has been the best way to get the reds to bite.
Inshore, red drum and speckled trout have been feeding well around the marshes. Anglers tossing live shrimp and minnows under float rigs have found the most fish, and targeting marsh points and oyster structure has produced best.
Jace Auman (age 7) with a red drum that struck a mud minnow in the Holden Beach surf.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the big red drum have been hit or miss. Most fish landed have been around bait pods just off the beach. A few fish are being landed at the jetty as well, but the bite everywhere has been inconsistent.
Inshore, the redfish bite has been solid. Fish in the 16-20” range have been feeding well on cut and live baits. A few flounder and speckled trout have been in the mix as well.
Black drum fishing has also been consistent inshore. Anglers using live and fresh shrimp have done best.
David, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that a few spot have started to show up near the pier. Whiting, flounder, and sheepshead have also been feeding well for those fishing the bottom.
A couple of slot-sized red drum have been landed, too, and fresh cut mullet have worked best.
