Ocean Isle August 7, 2008
Deddi West and Amber Simmons with a red snapper caught on a live bait in 90' of water near the Junkyard.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite remains good at spots in 50-75′ of water throughout the area. Boats aren’t finding as many big kings as they were a few weeks ago, but there are still plenty of fish.
The 90/90 has been hosting some of the most consistent action lately, and a few large spanish mackerel (3-6 lbs.) have been mixed in with the kings there. Live pogies are producing most of the action with the kings, and there have been plenty of pogies schooling along the beach lately.
A few cobia are coming from the same areas as the kings.
The majority of the spanish have been feeding in 40-60′ instead of right on the beach, and boats are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers.
Not many boats have been offshore lately, but bottom fishing should still be good around structure in 80-100′ for groupers and snappers.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the flounder bite is still good at nearshore structure (like the Jim Caudle and various wrecks) within a few miles of the beaches. Finger mullet have been outproducing pogies with the flatfish, and a Carolina rig is the way to fish them.
Anglers are also catching flounder in Tubbs, Shallotte, Lockwood Folly, and Little River inlets.
Red drum (16-30″) and speckled trout (some 3-4 lbs.) are feeding near the Little River jetties. Anglers hooked a number of both species on float-rigged peanut pogies recently.
Spanish mackerel have been feeding heavily on finger mullet near the area’s inlets lately. Falling tides are producing the best action, and anglers can hook the spanish on live baits under floats or by casting lures like X-Raps towards surface activity.
Spadefish are still schooled up on the nearshore reefs. Jelly balls make the best chum and baits for the spades.
Some gray trout are beginning to show up on the nearshore structure as well.
Josh, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching some speckled trout on live shrimp in the mornings.
Bottom fishermen are catching plenty of sharks and a few whiting and spot. Shrimp are drawing bites from all three.
Plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel on Gotchas, with the best action in the early mornings.
