Ocean Isle April 25, 2013
Ty and Hunter Kennedy, of Deep Run, NC, with speckled trout they hooked in the Lockwood Folly River on D.O.A. Shrimp.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers found warm, 75 degree water and some hungry wahoo and blackfin tuna around the Blackjack Hole last week, and managed to box up a solid catch of both.
Another boat running to the Winyah Scarp found little action, so while there is some hot blue water fishing to be had at present, not every spot is producing every day. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling most of the wahoo, blackfins, and other Gulf Stream predators.
There’s been a good bite of school-sized king mackerel at spots southwest of Frying Pan Tower, with particularly good fishing around the Navy Wreck last week. Live baits are top choices for the kings, but dead cigar minnows will often produce just as well when the schoolie kings are feeding offshore.
Some cobia have been in the same area, and anglers hooked cobia in as shallow as 65’ of water last week. Live baits or a variety of bucktail and soft plastic jigs will attract attention from the cobes.
Atlantic bonito have shown up at spots like the General Sherman, the 410/510, and the 390/390. Anglers can hook them while trolling Clarkspoons and other small, flashy lures as they would for spanish mackerel, or by casting metal jigs to schools of fish feeding on the surface.
Bluefish have shown up along the beachfront, and it shouldn’t be more than a few weeks before spanish mackerel join them. Anglers can expect the spring beach run of king mackerel to happen soon after the spaniards show.
Sherrill Mullis with, of Oak Island, a 2.5 lb. pompano that bit shrimp while he was fishing from Ocean Crest Pier.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are still finding action with red and black drum in the area. The fish are feeding in shallow water in the creeks and marshes, with lower tides producing the best action as the fish congregate to wait for food to wash out of the marsh. Fresh cut shrimp and live mud minnows have been the most effective baits lately, and light jigheads or split-shot rigs will ensure anglers don’t spook the drum while casting.
Flounder fishing is improving, although the majority of the fish are still sub-legal. Anglers are picking up a few flatfish while fishing for the reds and black drum, and more are feeding in Tubbs Inlet and Cherry Grove. Live mud minnows and other small baitfish are top choices for the flatfish, but they’ll also bite Gulps and other scented soft plastic baits.
The flounder should become more numerous and larger as spring progresses over the next few weeks.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Bluefish (some to 3 lbs.) are biting metal casting jigs that anglers are working from the pier.
