Ocean Isle – April 13, 2017
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that with water temperatures around 68 degrees, there are still a few speckled trout around. Anglers should target the fish with paddletail jerk baits in chartreuse.
Flounder are starting to show up, with some keeper-sized fish mixed in, and they will take artificials (also in chartreuse) and mud minnows.
The reds that are around are in the slot, and they’re falling for chunked crab and mud minnows.
Those looking for whiting can land them on fresh cut shrimp.
Braxton Alexander (age 6) with a speckled trout that fell for a Rapala Skitterwalk at Holden Beach.
Derek, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that nearshore most of the fishing has stayed consistent. Atlantic bonito have moved into the areas around the ARs, and Clarkspoons will work on the fish, as well as casting metal to them (with light fluorocarbon).
Bottom fishing in the same areas will produce gray trout, black sea bass, and flounder. Gray trout are favoring shrimp over squid, and the flatfish are falling for mud minnows.
Further offshore, from 10-40 miles, most of the action is coming from false albacore, though anglers dropping down should be able to connect with black sea bass.
Past 40 miles out to the Stream, the wahoo fishing is great, with blackfin tuna mixed in. The first mahi of the year have been landed the past week as well.
Bottom fishing past 40 miles should allow anglers to limit out on sea bass and vermilion, and vertical jigging will tempt bites from amberjacks.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the wahoo bite has been great in 20-25 fathoms. Troll skirted ballyhoo around 8 knots to connect with the fish, and expect there to be a few blackfin tuna mixed in.
Mahi have started moving back into area waters this past week, with a few being caught in the Stream.
Those dropping down in 90-100’ of water will find triggerfish, and heading to spots closer to shore in the 20 mile range will produce black sea bass and snapper.
Cecil, of the Rod and Reel Shop, reports that anglers are still catching whiting off fresh shrimp. Black drum will also fall for shrimp, but those fishing with live mud minnows can expect some action with trout and red drum. The reds aren’t quite legal size, but they are finally showing back up in the area.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still picking away at the trout in the creeks around Little River and Sunset Beach. Artificials like Halo shad, Vudu shrimp, and Bass Assassin paddletails are all working on the fish. There are good numbers of small fish, but some larger 4 lb. fish reported, too. The jetty should be holding more of the larger fish.
There should be reds on the jetties as well, and anglers have also been picking the reds off in the creeks with soft shell crab on a Carolina rig. Expect black drum in the same areas.
Flounder are starting to show up around Cherry Grove and Tubbs Inlet.
Shane, of Fin-Fisher Charter Fishing, reports that the speckled trout are moving into their spring pattern. MirrOlures and soft plastics are working on the trout.
Black drum are in the area and will fall for fresh cut shrimp. They are tending to be a mix of keeper-sized and throwbacks.
Those throwing topwater baits and cut baits should connect with small rat reds, with some lower-slot fish mixed in.
Flounder are starting to show up in the area, and bucktails will work on the flatfish.
Jim, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that the bite has been very slow on the pier. A few whiting have been landed over the past week.
