Ocean Isle – August 18, 2016
Brody, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the flounder bite in the backwaters has slowed down a bit, but there are still some fish being caught. Live bait on Carolina rigs is the best way to tempt bites from the flatfish.
The red drum that are being caught in the backwaters are quality fish, both in-slot and over, and they will fall for live bait on a popping cork.
Anglers on the beach have found the bite has slowed in the past few weeks, but bigger pogies have shown back up so anglers should expect the bite to turn back on going into September. The spanish off the beach are hit or miss right now.
Nearshore, the flounder bite is great near artificial reefs 3-5 miles out. Carolina rigs with live mullet or menhaden will work on the flatfish, and some anglers have also had success with tipping a bucktail with live bait.
Offshore, in the 20-30 mile range, the bite has slowed, although anglers are connecting with quite a few small kings. Occasionally, one may be keeper-sized, but often the kings are just barely legal. There are a few cobia in the area as well, and those looking for a fight can target amberjack and barracuda over the wrecks.
Offshore, there are a few wahoo holding in cooler pockets of water near the break. Bottom fishing is staying consistent, with the usual bag of grouper, snapper, and assorted bottom fish being caught.
Andrew Ambrose, of Syracuse, NY, caught this speckled trout with a mullet on a Carolina rig. He was fishing with Capt. Jeff Williamson, of Get Busy Fishing Charters.
Phillip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that angers in the surf are connecting with pompano, whiting, and croaker. Anglers looking to target the panfish in the surf should use live shrimp and bloodworms to tempt a bite.
Inshore anglers are connecting with flounder, and a few red drum have been reported around the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly rivers. Live shrimp and mullet are working well on both of these fish.
Spanish are still running right off the beach, and Clarkspoons should work to put fish in the cooler.
Dawn Clemmons, of Shallotte, with a golden tilefish caught 75 miles off Holden Beach in 950Â’ of water. She was fishing with Capt. David Purvis.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports fishing for flounder has been the most consistent way to hook up in the area. The jetty is still producing some fish and nearshore structure is holding flounder, too, or you can target Little River. Live mullet is the way to go with the flatfish, and on average about half the fish caught have been keepers.
The red drum bite is hit or miss, with a precious few fish still holding around the docks in the ICW. They can also be found in the creeks. Live mullet on bottom is the best way to target the reds.
There are a few black drum around bridges and docks in the ICW, and anglers may also connect with sheepshead while targeting them.
Trout are scattered in the area, but anglers can find them in the same places as the flounder, such as around the jetty. The trout will take mullet on bottom just as often as a live shrimp under a float, but be prepared to hook up with many trash fish using the latter method.
The spanish mackerel bite is still strong when trolling, and occasionally the fish will bunch up and anglers will be able to cast to them with plugs. Expect keeper-sized fish, between 1-2 lbs.
Cayden McMillan (age 8), pictured with Chris and Wyatt McMillan, with a sheepshead caught in the ICW on a live shrimp.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that inshore the backwater flounder bite has been strong, with anglers connecting with several flatfish on live mullet and mud minnows. Several doormat-sized fish have been landed recently.
Inshore anglers are also hooking speckled trout, red drum, and black drum in the ICW.
Offshore anglers are connecting with mahi, grouper, and triggerfish.
Luke Watts, of Whiteville, with a red drum caught on a finger mullet at Sunset Beach.
Tyson, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that most anglers are connecting with whiting during the heat using fresh shrimp. A few flounder have come over the rails as well, and they’re falling for the same bait.
