Ocean Isle April 24, 2008
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boats trolling the Gulf Stream are landing good numbers of wahoo (some over 60 lbs.) and blackfin tuna. Dolphin are beginning to show up as well. Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted trolling lures will produce strikes from these bluewater predators, and anglers can also find excellent results by trolling faster with artificials designed for high-speed use. The area around the 100/400 has been hosting a good bite lately.
Bottom fishing has been solid recently as well, with anglers hooking up with some stout red grouper (15-20 lbs.) around deep structure in 200’+. There have also been some nice grouper and snapper catches coming from spots in around 100′. The grouper will fall for a variety of baits on bottom rigs, and anglers can also get their attention using lighter tackle with butterfly jigs.
King mackerel have begun moving inshore from their wintering grounds offshore of the Frying Pan Tower, and decent numbers have been reported around the Horseshoe over the past week. Some cobia have been in the area as well.
Atlantic bonito are schooled up and chasing bait around structure even closer to shore. The General Sherman, AR 460, and the 390/390 are all holding the fish, and some have been seen as close in as the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte Inlet sea buoys.
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Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that area flounder fishing is heating up and should only continue to get better as the water warms over the next few weeks. Per usual for spring, a lot of the flatfish are undersized, but anglers are landing decent numbers of fish from barely legal up to 4 lbs. as well, and the larger fish will become much more numerous in the coming month.
Good flounder action has been coming from all around the area, and Tubbs Inlet has produced some nice fish recently.
Live mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs are prime baits for the flounder.
Speckled trout fishing is good right now, and the fat female trout are on the feed before spawning. The water temperature is already in the mid-60’s, and while anglers are landing some fish now, a few days of calm weather will really get the trout bite fired up.
Red drum are cruising their usual haunts in the creeks and at structure off the ICW. There are also good numbers of reds feeding in very shallow water in the backs of creeks. Live mud minnows or Gulp baits should attract attention from the reds.
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David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that Gulf Stream fishing has been solid when the wind allows boats to get offshore recently. Wahoo and blackfin tuna are making up the majority of the catch. Trolling ballyhoo beneath Ilander skirts will get attention from both species, and blue/white seems to have been a particularly good color lately. Anglers can also hook up with the wahoo by trolling large swimming plugs like Braid Marauders, and cedar plugs are deadly on the blackfins.
The bluewater action has been best around the Steeples and the Blackjack Hole over the past weeks.
Inshore, anglers are landing a lot of speckled trout around the Little River jetties, in the Shallotte River, and back in the creeks. Live shrimp are the top choice in terms of trout baits, and they have been producing some very nice trout (some up to 8 lbs.).
Some flounder are also beginning to show up around the inlets and in the creeks. They’ll also take an interest in live shrimp baits.
