Ocean Isle – March 22, 2018
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that there are some small redfish around, with the occasional slot fish mixed in. Mud minnows and Vudu shrimp have proved the most successful for catching the reds.
The trout bite has been fairly steady, with most of the fish ranging from 16-18”, and a few in the lower 20s. Vudu shrimp and chartreuse jerk shads have been the best lures for the specks.
Several nice black drum have been caught as well, with the best baits being clams and shrimp on a Carolina rig.
A few flounder are present, but the majority are far below slot size.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that around 80’ of water there are some black sea bass, with the larger ones in even deeper water.
Near the beach, some bluefish are starting to show up, but they’re not in yet in large numbers.
Around the tower, some king mackerel are showing up. These fish are falling for trolling spoons and dead cigar minnows.
In the Gulf Stream, the wahoo bite has been great. Dark-skirted rigs with ballyhoo, as well as high speed lures, have both landed fish.
The blackfin tuna have also been eating, and they’re falling for skirted lures and cedar plugs.
Capt. Kevin Sneed, of Rigged and Ready Charters, with a 34 lb. snowy grouper caught off of Holden Beach.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that despite lower water temperatures, the redfish bite has been steadily improving. The reds are being caught in shallower water on shrimp and Saltwater Assassin soft plastics. Most of the fish caught have been between 20-27”.
Keeper black drum have also been biting well, mainly on fresh shrimp.
A few trout have been caught, and they’ve also been falling for Saltwater Assassin baits. The specks have been between 17-20”, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
Offshore, the wahoo bite has been hot north of Wilmington. Most of the fish have been 30 lbs. or larger and are falling for ballyhoo and lures.
In the 80-100’ range, bottom fishing has been great, producing beeliners, triggerfish, and sea bass. Bottom rigs with squid have proved to be the most successful.
Cecil, of the Rod and Reel Shop, reports that anglers are catching a decent number of trout, mainly on soft plastics and MirrOlures.
A few red drum and black drum have been landed, with the best bait being fresh shrimp. Those looking for the drum should target docks, structure, and canals.
Surf anglers using shrimp can expect to catch whiting, with a few croaker mixed in.
Bre, of Ocean Isle Fishing Pier, reports that pier fishing has been fairly slow lately. A decent number of whiting have been caught off the end, along with several sharks and skates. The bait of choice has been shrimp.
