Ocean Isle August 2, 2012
Ty Dulaney, of Raleigh, with a jack crevalle that bit a live menhaden while he was fishing for red drum in the ICW near Holden Beach.
Barrett, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the red drum bite is the inshore story of the summer. Anglers are still catching big numbers of slot and over-slot reds throughout the area, with particularly good fishing around the docks and bridges in the ICW and at nearshore structure in the ocean. Live menhaden, finger mullet, and shrimp are the tickets to hookups with the reds.
Inshore anglers are also still finding some flounder action (with fewer, but larger fish than they were seeing a month ago). The same live baits that anglers are casting for drum will attract plenty of attention from the flatfish.
A few speckled trout are even showing up in the same areas as the reds and flounder.
Out in the ocean, the spanish mackerel bite remains excellent, with most of the fish hanging around the prevalent menhaden schools just off the Long Bay beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting Gotcha plugs and other metal lures around the menhaden balls is putting the spaniards in the boat.
King mackerel fishing has been consistent in the 60-70’ depths over the past week. The fish have been feeding around schools of cigar minnows, so when anglers find the bait on their sounder, they should stick around the area until the kings start biting. Conversely, if a spot doesn’t have any bait present, it’s time to move on. Live and dead cigar minnows and live menhaden are fooling the kings.
Daniel Tew with a 33" red drum he caught and released after it struck a live bait near Oak Island while he was fishing with his father.
Decent numbers of dolphin and cobia are mixed in with the mackerel and falling for the same baits.
Bottom fishermen can expect typical summer action around structure in the 100-110’ depths with gag and scamp grouper, black sea bass, beeliners, and more. The action isn’t red hot, but anglers willing to work for it should be able to put limits in the boat. Live baits like pinfish and menhaden are top choices for the grouper, and cut baits or squid will put the smaller bottom dwellers in the boat.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that there was a solid speckled trout bite at the Little River jetties last week (with fish mixed from undersized to 2-4 lbs.). Live shrimp drifted under floats along the rocks have been producing most of the action, and they’re also appealing to some red drum feeding in the area.
Drifting the inlet with live menhaden on the bottom has been producing action with some larger red drum.
Nick Waldo, of Salisbury, NC, with a 20" spanish mackerel that struck a Gotcha plug.
The flounder bite has been good at nearshore structure in the ocean, like the Jim Caudle Reef, with most of the fish falling for live mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs.
Inshore, flounder fishing’s been a little tough due to the wind and dirty water, but anglers who can find clean water are connecting with some flatfish.
Red and black drum are feeding around oyster rocks in the creeks, and live shrimp are tempting bites from them both.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet, black drum, and pompano while soaking shrimp and sand fleas on double-hook rigs off the pier.
There was a decent speckled trout bite last week, with most of the action taking place in the morning hours for anglers fishing with live shrimp.
