Ocean Isle – August 14, 2014
Steve Greene, of Shelby, NC, with a 26″, 7.65 lb. flounder that he hooked on a live finger mullet while fishing inshore near Holden Beach with his sons Chad and Jeff and grandson Dustin.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent offshore action when the weather lets them get out to the 100’ depths and deeper. Bottom fishing around structure in that range is producing action with gag and scamp grouper, amberjacks, triggerfish, beeliners, sea bass, and other tasty smaller fish. Live baits are the best bets for the larger groupers and jacks, while squid and cut baits will attract attention from the other bottom feeders.
Some large king mackerel are looking for meals in the same areas and will pounce on live baits like menhaden or dead cigar minnows. Both slow-trolling and light-lining while bottom fishing will tempt bites from the kings.
The spanish mackerel action along the beachfront has slowed to a crawl, but anglers are finding a fish here-and-there while trolling Clarkspoons.
Large sharks are feeding along the beachfront and will eagerly attack live and dead baits.
Inshore, anglers are picking up good numbers of speckled trout and red drum near Lockwood Folly Inlet. Gulp shrimp in the new penny color have been the best bets for both lately.
Kyle, of Speckulator Charters, reports that anglers had a bit of a tough time inshore over the past week due to the dark and dirty water from all the rain the area’s received recently. Anglers are finding some action at many of the typical spots, however.
Tubbs Inlet is still producing some consistent flounder action, and anglers are also finding the flatfish at the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Live finger mullet and peanut menhaden on Carolina rigs are fooling most of the flatfish
Audrey Black, of Mt. Holly, NC, with a 7.80 lb. spanish mackerel that she hooked on a live bait while fishing a nearshore reef of Oak Island with her twin brother, father, and grandfather.
A few more flounder are feeding alongside red drum at docks and other structure along the ICW, and both are also falling for finger mullet.
Some smaller schools of reds are working the area creeks as well.
More reds and speckled trout are feeding in Little River Inlet. Anglers are hooking both while drifting live shrimp under floats close to the rock jetties.
Some large over-slot reds are falling for live mullet and menhaden drifted in the inlet channel.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with a few spanish mackerel while trolling Clarkspoons along the beachfront.
Plenty of large sharks are in the same area, and they have a tough time passing up fresh dead and cut baits.
Anglers bottom fishing around structure in 100-150’ of water are reporting fast action with beeliners and triggerfish. Both are taking an interest in squid and cut baits.
Wahoo are feeding in the Gulf Stream, and boats found some decent action with them at the local blue water hotspots last week. Both skirted ballyhoo and baitless high-speed lures will attract attention from the ‘hoos.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Bluefish are falling for the bottom rigs and casting lures that anglers are working from the pier.
Anglers fishing live baits under the pier are hooking a few flounder.
