Ocean Isle August 18, 2011
Henry G. Carroll (age 6), of Cary, NC, with a fat pompano that bit shrimp on a bottom rig in the Ocean Isle surf while he was fishing with his father.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that bottom fishing at structure in around 90’ of water is producing fast action with black sea bass, beeliners, and other tasty bottom dwellers. Squid and cut baits on two-hook rigs are producing most of the action.
Light-lining dead cigar minnows and live menhaden while anglers are bottom fishing is producing some dolphin hookups (with some 10-12 lb. gaffers in the mix).
Amberjacks are schooling around high-relief structure in the same depth range. Live baits are tough for them to resist.
Anglers hooked more dolphin last week while trolling near the Shark Hole (again with a few gaffers).
A few small king mackerel have been feeding around the Shark Hole as well, and both the kings and ‘phins are taking an interest in trolled cigar minnows and menhaden.
Spanish mackerel trolling is still going strong along the beachfront with some bluefish mixed in. Clarkspoons behind #1 and #2 planers will tempt bites from the spaniards and blues.
Sharks (blacktips and plenty of other species) are cruising the beaches looking for meals and won’t pass up a large cut bait.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that spanish mackerel are feeding around schools of glass minnows and menhaden in 25-30’ of water off the Brunswick County beaches. Finding the bait seems to be key to finding the fish, but when anglers do, they should have little trouble hooking up while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers.
The king mackerel bite has been rather slow, but a few fish have been reported from around 65’ of water lately.
Some large spanish mackerel (3-6 lbs.) are doing their best to make up for the absence of the kings. They’re feeding around structure and bait in 50-65’. Dead cigar minnows have been producing better results than live baits with the big spanish.
Jimmy Hailey with a pair of spadefish (the larger 5 lbs., 12 oz.) that bit pieces of cannonball jelly at Yaupon Reef while he was fishing with his son on the "Linesider."
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder bite is still going strong inshore, with the best action in the local inlets. Live finger mullet on jigheads, split-shot rigs, or Carolina rigs have been the go-to baits lately.
The flounder action has also been solid at nearshore structure off Shallotte and Little River inlets. Finger mullet on Carolina rigs are producing results in the ocean as well, but anglers should use slightly larger weights to maintain contact with the bottom.
Good numbers of red drum (most 21-25”) are feeding at the same structure as the flatfish. They’ll also take an interest in live finger mullet.
Larger reds (upper to over-slot) are holding under ICW docks. Finger mullet, live shrimp, and other baits will get their attention, but anglers need to beef up their tackle and horse the fish away from the structure to avoid losing them.
Will, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching some pompano on shrimp and sand fleas.
Sand fleas and barnacles dangled next to the pilings are attracting attention from some sheepshead.
Sharks are feeding near the pier at night and biting a variety of baits.
