Ocean Isle August 25, 2011
Joseph (age 8), John, and Joel (age 7) Martin with a 50 lb. wahoo that bit a dead cigar minnow on king mackerel tackle in the propwash while they were trolling off Shallotte Inlet in 80' of water. They were fishing with Steve Ritenhour on the "Seaclusion."
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is still strong off the Brunswick County beaches. The best action has been in 20-25’ of water. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights is putting most of the little mackerel in the boat.
Further off the beaches, spots in 50-65’ of water have seen the fishing improve over the last week. Anglers are connecting with some king mackerel (most 6-10 lbs.), larger spanish mackerel, small dolphin, some cobia, and sailfish at spots in that depth range. Cigar minnows have been more productive than live menhaden lately, as the menhaden have been tough to locate and many of them are too large for the fish around right now.
There’s been a good wahoo bite at the Blackjack Hole and other blue water hotspots lately (with most fish 20-35 lbs.), and a few larger fish have been caught closer in at spots in the 80’ range over the past week. Live baits and rigged ballyhoo will tempt bites from the wahoo when anglers find them.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some king mackerel and dolphin (both in the 10 lb. range) while trolling and light-lining with dead cigar minnows in 100-110’ of water recently.
Bottom fishing in the same areas has been producing some scamp grouper, black sea bass, triggerfish, beeliners, and other tasty fish. Cigar minnows and cut baits are fooling the bottomfish.
The spanish mackerel bite along the beaches has been excellent lately, and Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights are producing plenty of bites.
Blacktip sharks are also feeding just off the shoreline. Large cut baits will get their attention in a hurry.
Flounder fishing has been solid both inshore and at nearshore structure off the beaches (with larger fish in the ocean). Live finger mullet are tough to beat for the flatfish.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the nearshore flounder bite remains excellent at structure off Little River and Sunset Beach. Live finger mullet and shrimp are producing most of the flatfish action.
Structure around 5 miles off the beaches has been giving up some quality keeper sea bass, in addition to the flatfish.
Flounder and red drum are still on the feed inshore. Anglers are hooking them in the creeks and while fishing docks in the ICW. Live pogies seem to be outproducing shrimp (particularly with the reds) recently.
Bill Wise, from Madison Heights, VA, with a red drum that fell for a live menhaden near Bald Head Island while he was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Jacob, of J & J Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are catching some red drum around the Little River jetties and Sunset Beach Bridge. Live finger mullet are producing most of the action with the reds, and deeper water seems to have been the most productive with the high water temps inshore.
Flounder fishing is still decent in Shallotte River, Tubbs Inlet, and at the nearshore reefs off Shallotte and Little River inlets (with Tubbs and the nearshore structure producing the nicest fish). Live finger mullet are again the ticket to success.
Justin, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching some sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Live shrimp fished on the bottom have been producing some action with flounder and red and black drum.
Some bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs and a variety of baits.
