Ocean Isle August 26, 2010
Holden Carroll, of Cary, NC, with a barracuda that fell for a live pogy beneath a balloon at AR-460 while he was fishing with his father and sister.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is still strong along the Brunswick County beaches. Anglers are hooking most of the fish on #00 Clarkspoons, and the pink flash spoons have been most productive lately.
Plenty of sharks are still feeding nearshore, and drifting with large cut baits will attract numerous strikes.
Offshore, there’s been a decent king mackerel bite in around 70’ of water. Most of the fish are falling for cigar minnows.
Black sea bass are feeding at bottom structure in the same range, and they will take an interest in squid or cut baits.
Bottom fishing east of Frying Pan Shoals in around 95’ produced plenty of action with fat red and gag groupers last week. Live pogies and large cut baits are attracting the grouper bites.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are finding action with schools of spanish mackerel along the beaches while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures.
Blacktip and other sharks are feeding along the beaches as well, and large cut baits will get their attention.
Live-baiting in the 50-65’ areas is attracting attention from some large spanish (to 4+ lbs.). Some schoolie kings and a few sailfish are feeding in the same areas.
A few cobia have also been reported from 65-85’ of water lately.
Sam (age 14), Jim, and Joe (age 9) Armstrong, of Solon OH, with a spanish mackerel that fell for a Gotcha plug off of Oak Island Pier.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the drum bite is still on inshore in the area.
Anglers are catching good numbers of reds (most 20-25”) and some big black drum around deeper docks off the ICW. Live finger mullet and shrimp are attracting attention from both.
Big numbers of smaller reds (15-18”) are feeding in the area’s creeks and backwaters, particularly around Calabash and Dunn Sound, and anglers can hook them on float-rigged live shrimp and other baits.
Some larger red drum (30”+) are coming from the Little River jetties.
The flounder bite remains good in the area (with several 6-7 lb. fish caught last week), both around structure and the inlets inshore, as well as the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are the tickets to strikes from the flatfish.
Anglers are catching a few speckled trout while fishing for the reds and flounder.
Sheepshead fishing has been excellent around the deeper water docks and bridges lately. The jetties should also produce some decent sheepshead action. Live fiddler crabs and other crustaceans are the way to score bites from the sheeps.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching some flounder on live baits fished near the pier.
Whiting and a few spot are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs.
