Ocean Isle August 13, 2009
Austin Sawyer, of Pleasant Garden, NC, with a 6.2 lb. flounder he hooked while casting a Carolina-rigged pogy from the shore at Shallotte Inlet while fishing with his father Tim. Weighed in at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the offshore action is finally heating back up after the winds and dirty water hampered the bite for the last few weeks.
Some boats made it to the Gulf Stream for the first time in several weeks and found a decent wahoo and blackfin tuna bite around the Steeples last week. Skirted ballyhoo are the best baits for the blue water gamefish.
King mackerel and gaffer dolphin are feeding around the Shark Hole and other local spots in 60-70’ of water. Live pogies will fool both fish, and there’s been no shortage of the baitfish off Ocean Isle, especially near Shallotte Inlet lately.
The kings haven’t just been offshore lately, either, as anglers caught some stout fish (30+ lbs.), along with good numbers at spots within 10 miles of the beach last week.
Live baiters also hooked some king mackerel around Yaupon Reef last week.
Spanish mackerel have returned to the nearshore waters as well, and anglers found plenty of action on the spaniards while trolling pink flash Clarkspoons behind #2 planers last week.
Ian Hetzel, of Raleigh, with a 4 lb., 20" black drum that fell for a live shrimp at some inshore structure near Southport. Hetzel was fishing with his father and grandfather.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that flounder have taken up residence on the nearshore wrecks, ledges, and live bottoms, and anglers hooked some doormats (up to 9 lbs.) last week on Carolina-rigged live baits.
The inshore flounder bite remains solid in the usual places like Tubbs Inlet and the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers, as well as at docks up and down the ICW. Carolina-rigged live baits are fooling the flatties inside as well, although anglers must weed through some short fish to get to the keepers (many 18-20”).
Red drum fishing remains good in the backwaters and the ICW. The fish are feeding around oyster bars in the shallows of local creeks and flats and around docks in the waterway, and live finger mullet on Carolina rigs will get their attention.
Some larger reds are feeding around the Little River jetties, and anglers can hook them on live baits as well, although the bite has been a bit hit or miss lately.
A few trout are still feeding throughout the area, but anglers are lucking into most of the specks while flounder and drum fishing instead of actually targeting them.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the king mackerel bite is on fire around 10 miles off Ocean Isle (with plenty of fish in the 15-20+ lb. range and a few into the 30’s.)
Some large spanish mackerel are in the mix as well.
Live pogies are fooling the kings, and they have been plentiful just outside of Shallotte Inlet.
Corey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout in the early mornings on live shrimp. Some flounder are also falling for the shrimp.
Bottom fishermen are decking some spot and whiting on cut shrimp.
