Ocean Isle – August 17, 2017
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that speckled trout fishing has produced fish in the 13-20” range. Fishing live shrimp under popping corks has worked best around marsh lines near the higher end of the tide.
Redfish have been keying in on oyster structure. Tossing live shrimp hooked on Carolina rigs has been the ticket to catching fish, and most of the drum have been mid-slot (around 22”).
Black drum have been mixed in the same areas as the reds, and most fish landed have been between 12-18”.
The flounder bite has been hit or miss, but anglers putting their time in are finding a few keeper fish.
Keith Watkins with a 34” red drum that was landed near the Ocean Isle Inlet after it struck a live mud minnow.
Derek, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that nearshore, anglers are landing good numbers of spanish in 25-35′ of water off of Oak Island. Pulling Clarkspoons on #1 planers has been getting the job done.
Sharks have also been feeding well around nearshore structure. Casting out cut and chunk baits have worked best, and the majority of the sharks have been blacktips and hammerheads.
In the 15-25 mile range, king fishing has been hit or miss. Most fish have been landed around the Jungle, Atlantic Ledge, and Shark Hole areas. The average size has been about 10 lbs., but a few fish have gone as heavy as 30 lbs.
Large spanish (in the 5-8 lb. range) have also been holding in these areas. Trolling dead cigar minnows and live sardines has produced the best numbers of fish.
On the bottom in the 90-120′ of water, the grouper and snapper bite has been consistent.
Shane, of Fin-Fisher Charter Service, reports that those targeting speckled trout have found some good action along rips and oyster structure. Targeting deeper pockets of water in the 6-8′ range with live shrimp under float rigs has been the ticket. Anglers wanting to throw plugs have had luck in the area rivers tossing topwaters around the deeper holes.
Flounder fishing has picked up on the local nearshore reefs. Anglers dropping live finger mullet or pogies are finding plenty of keeper fish.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that spanish fishing along the beach has filled the cooler with plenty of fish in the 2-3 lb. range. Pulling Clarkspoons rigged on planers has been the key to getting lots of strikes.
Shark fishing around nearshore structure has provided plenty of fast-paced action. Tossing out dead spanish and cut baits in 30′ of water has landed blacktips, black nose, and hammerheads.
Christian Cook with a 30 lb. wahoo that hit a naked ballyhoo in 100′ of water off Holden Beach.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that flounder fishing has been hit or miss inshore. Most fish landed have been short, but a few have been keeper-sized. Fishing live finger mullet on a Carolina rig has been the ticket to landing the occasional 16-20” fish.
Tossing live shrimp under a float rig or casting a soft plastic have been the top ways to land redfish. Targeting marsh and oyster points has been the best bet, and expect most of the reds to run in the 18-22” range.
In the surf, large whiting (to 18”), pompano, black drum, and spanish have been landed. Fresh shrimp fished on the bottom has worked best for everything but the spanish. They’ve been hitting Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers.
Nearshore spanish fishing remains steady in around 30′ of water. Most of the fish have hit trolled Clarkspoons.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that fishing live finger mullet pinned on Carolina rigs has produced decent numbers of redfish and flounder, and hitting the docks along the waterway has been the best bet.
Speckled trout are holding along grass and shell banks. Most of the fish have been willing to take a live shrimp rigged under a popping cork. Early morning and late evening hours have been best for the trout.
Flounder fishing has stayed consistent near the Tubb’s Inlet area. Most anglers, however, are finding better results out at the nearshore reefs. When off the beach, dropping live mullet has been the ticket to hooking good numbers of fish.
David, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that those fishing fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and bloodworms on the bottom have landed whiting, croaker, and pompano.
Anglers electing to plug from the pier with Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers have found a few spanish and bluefish.
