Ocean Isle August 23, 2007
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports school sized king mackerel and some big spanish are on the ledges and hard bottom areas in 50-60’ of water. Anglers haven’t had much luck locating pogy schools over the week, but the fish are biting dead cigar minnows well.
Vermillion snapper (beeliners) are holding on structure in 85-110’ of water. Two hook bottom rigs baited with small pieces of squid will attract their attention.
Some gag grouper have moved inshore, and they are feeding on bottom structure in approximately 80’ of water. Live baits will draw bites from the gags.
The Gulf Stream is still producing some wahoo and dolphin. One boat caught some dolphin (up to 30 lbs.) around the 100/400 last week. Skirted ballyhoo are the best all around Gulf Stream trolling baits.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that flounder are still looking for meals in the inlets. Anglers are hooking up with the flatfish while drifting in Tubbs Inlet and the shoals behind Little River Inlet. Carolina-rigged finger mullet are the ticket to flounder strikes.
Not many people have been fishing the nearshore reefs due to the high winds, but the flounder should still be thick there when the weather calms down.
Red drum (from puppies up to legal, slot-sized fish) are feeding around ICW docks and the Sunset Beach Bridge. Larger reds are patrolling the rock jetties at Little River Inlet hunting for meals. The reds will also fall for finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Schools of spanish mackerel are crashing baits in Little River Inlet. Anglers can target the spanish by fishing weightless, free-lined live baits or by casting artificial lures to the breaking schools.
Becky, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports the recent winds and high temperatures have the water stirred up and hot.
Pier anglers are still catching some whiting and spot on frozen shrimp pinned to bottom rigs.
A few flounder are falling for live shrimp fished on the bottom.
