Ocean Isle April 29, 2010
Robert Hughes and Dargon Grigg, of Sunset Beach, with an 80 lb. wahoo they hooked on a Bomber plug in 200' of water near the Winyah Scarp while fishing with Brian Richard and Todd Helf on the "Almost There."
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the big story in the area is the spring Gulf Stream bite finally turning on. Anglers found fast action last week with wahoo (to 70+ lbs.) and blackfin tuna at a variety of local blue water hotspots like the Blackjack Hole and the Steeples. The blackfin bite was especially frantic several days at the Steeples, where the tuna were gorging on flying fish they’d corralled to the surface.
A few dolphin are beginning to be scattered in with the ‘hoos and tunas, and it won’t be long until the dolphin bite’s in full swing.
Trolling ballyhoo behind skirted lures (in dark colors like red/black and purple/black for the wahoo and lighter shades like pink and blue for the tuna and dolphin) has been fooling most of the blue water predators. Some anglers are also finding success with the larger wahoo while high-speed trolling with Black Barts, swimming plugs, and other lures.
King mackerel still haven’t made much of a showing this year, but with the rising water temperatures, anglers should see some kings moving inshore of the blue water soon.
Black sea bass are still feeding on structure from 60’ on out, where anglers can target them with bottom rigs baited with cut baits or squid.
Some spanish mackerel have been reported off Shallotte Inlet. Like the dolphin, it won’t be long until they’re feeding strong (as long as the weather stays warm). Trolling Clarkspoons around diving birds, breaking fish, and bait concentrations is the way to find the spaniards.
Courtney Waddell, of Ocean Isle Beach, with one of several speckled trout and flounder she hooked on cut shrimp while fishing near Sunset Beach Bridge with Tim Gallimore.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the inshore bite continues to improve, and there’s been more bait in the area over the past weeks.
Anglers are finding action with red drum in the creeks, along waterway docks, and at other typical springtime hotspots. Live shrimp and mud minnows or Gulp baits will fool the reds.
The speckled trout bite is still a bit behind schedule, but the fishing is improving and anglers have weighed in some solid (5+ lb.) trout over the past week. Live shrimp are top choices for the trout, but anglers can tempt them to bite artificial imitations and live mud minnows when the real thing is scarce.
The flounder bite continues to get better (though anglers must weed through some throwbacks to get to the keepers). Tubbs and Cherry Grove Inlets are spring flounder hotspots, and anglers can also find the fish at a variety of spots inshore. Live baits like mud minnows are top choices for the flatfish.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the Gulf Stream bite is turning on. Anglers plying the blue water last week hooked up with good numbers of wahoo and blackfin tuna and a few dolphin (including a 25 lb. gaffer). Ballyhoo rigged beneath skirted lures are fooling most of the fish.
Boats found some solid king mackerel action in around 130’ of water off Frying Pan Tower last week. Trolled cigar minnows are hard to beat for the springtime kings.
Bottom fishing has been producing some excellent catches of black sea bass, with the best action lately coming at structure in around 80’. Squid and cut baits on bottom rigs will attract plenty of attention from the bass.
Gag grouper are feeding in the same areas, and the grouper season opens May 1.
