Oceean Isle Winter 2004
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the grouper bite has been excellent in November. They have been targeting areas with 60′ to 80′ of water. The OI boats also did well with genuine red snapper, targeting them in water from 80′ to 100′ deep. However, the main bite for November has been king mackerel. Boats have been consistently catching all they want. The fish have been school size, running primarily between 10 to 15 pounds. In the beginning of the month they were in the 65′ range, just before Thanksgiving they had moved out to 75′, and after the holiday they were out in the 80′ to 90′ range. The end of November saw boats catching more and bigger sea bass. They can be found anywhere between 40′ to 100′ of water.
The gulf steam has been slowing down steadily. The beginning of November had a strong bite of big, citation size wahoo, as well as some good catches of blackfin tuna. For December and January attention is being placed on bluefin tuna and bottom fishing for sea bass, snapper, and grouper.
Inshore, the flounder bite has slowed considerably from the beginning of November. The fish have been moving out to the artificial reefs. The trout and redfish are beginning to school up in the creeks and up the river. Currently, the trout bite has been best at the Little River jetties and area bridges. Inside the fish are running 2 to 3 pounds, and on the jetties they are running larger. December should continue to produce schooling trout and redfish. Go with grubs, mirrolures, or live shrimp (when available).
Howard, of Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports that the spots were running well in the beginning of November. Several flounder were still being caught in the surf then, as well as the occasional redfish. Whiting and pompano were also being caught steadily before Thanksgiving. The spot run ended just before Thanksgiving. There is still an occasional drum, flounder, and pompano caught now, but the fishing is very slow.
