Ocean Isle March 11, 2010
Robert Hughes and Todd Helf, of Sunset Beach, with the results of a double header wahoo bite. The 'hoos bit Yo-Zuri and Mega-Bait trolling plugs near the Blackjack Hole.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream anglers found a slow bite while trolling recently, but they were able to find plenty of action while jigging in the blue water. Working vertical jigs around structure near the Steeples has been producing nearly nonstop bites from amberjacks and false albacore (with some blackfin tuna in the mix as well). Anglers can also drop the jigs to hook up with the albacore and blackfins when they mark them deep and the fish won’t come up to bite trolled baits.
This is typically one of the best times of year to hook up with big wahoo in the Stream, so although the bite’s been a little slow recently, hooking up with a 50+ lb. wahoo is a definite possibility while fishing the blue water.
Bottom fishermen have been finding fast action with black sea bass at structure from 65-100’+ of water. The largest bass are coming from the deeper structure in 95-100’. In the 65-90’ depths, the ratio of throwbacks to keepers gets substantially higher, and spiny dogfish seem to be dominating the structure inshore of 65’. Bottom rigs baited with squid and cut baits or vertical jigs will attract plenty of attention from the bass.
The coming weeks of warmer weather should have the water temperatures on the rise and improve the fishing overall.
John Mayer, of Oak Island, with a 25" red drum and a 23" speckled trout he hooked while kayak fishing near Wilderness Landing. The red fell for a finger mullet on a jighead, and a 51MR MirrOlure fooled the speck.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that there have been good numbers of puppy drum (most 16-20”) in the backs of the creeks around Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle. The fish are feeding in very shallow water, so a flats boat is a necessity in order to reach the skittish reds without spooking them. Gulp shrimp and crabs are producing most of the action on the reds.
Some black drum are mixed in with the reds and feeding around inshore structure in the area. Cut shrimp on a bottom rig is plenty to entice bites from the black drum.
Both drum species should become a bit more active and easier to fool once the water warms up a few degrees.
Anglers are hooking up with a few speckled trout around inshore structure, the creeks, and in the canals at Ocean Isle and Holden Beach. Storm or Billy Bay Halo shrimp imitations fished very slowly are some of the best baits for the specks right now. Live shrimp are even better, but they are difficult for anglers to get their hands on right now.
As the water rises into the upper-50’s and lower-60’s, local anglers will have shots at some of the biggest trout of the year around the Little River jetties while fishing live shrimp near the rocks. This typically occurs around the beginning of April.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that inshore anglers are finding some action with speckled trout and red drum in the backwaters of Holden Beach. Live shrimp and soft plastic lures are fooling both fish.
Offshore, the black sea bass bite has been solid at bottom structure in 80-85’ of water. Cut baits and squid on bottom rigs have been producing plenty of bites from the bass.
Warming water over the next few weeks should turn on the king mackerel bite near Frying Pan Tower, and anglers can hook up with the kings while trolling Drone Spoons or cigar minnows.
Mid-March and the beginning of April usually host a good blue water bite off the area when boats can make it to the Gulf Stream. Wahoo and yellowfin tuna are the main targets, and anglers can seek the action out by trolling rigged ballyhoo under sea witches and lures like Green Machines.
