Ocean Isle August 29, 2013
Josh Benton with a tripletail that bit a sight-cast 1/2 oz. D.O.A. shrimp near the Shark Hole while he was fishing with Capt. Mike Gore of Bald Eagle Charters.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are seeing a decent spanish mackerel bite along the Brunswick County beachfront. Most of the fish are falling for Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and torpedo weights.
Flounder are stacked up on nearshore structure like the Jolly Mon Reef. Anglers are hooking solid numbers of the flatfish on live menhaden and finger mullet pinned to Carolina rigs (with heavier weights than they’d be using inshore).
Some large red drum are also looking for meals around the nearshore reefs, and they’ll pounce on the same live baits as the flatfish.
Boaters are still finding some king mackerel at spots in 65’ of water and deeper, but the full moon slowed the bite a bit last week. The action should return as the moon wanes a bit. Live baits like menhaden and dead cigar minnows will both attract attention from the kings.
Boaters making the run to local Gulf Stream spots like the 100/400 and Blackjack Hole are reporting a decent wahoo bite, but like the kings, it slowed down a bit with last week’s full moon. Most of the ‘hoos are taking an interest in ballyhoo rigged behind skirted trolling lures, but anglers can also hook up while trolling faster with baitless high-speed lures.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still catching solid numbers of red drum and speckled trout around Ocean Isle (with trout averaging 2 lbs. and reds running from under to over-slot). The best action has been at higher tides along grass and shell banks, where drifting live shrimp under floats is fooling both fish.
Phil Floyd with a 25″ flounder that bit a Gulp shrimp in the ICW near Ocean Isle.
Some large red drum are still feeding in Little River Inlet (averaging 30”). They seem to bite on a different tide each day, so it’s worth doing some experimenting to find the best action. Live finger mullet and menhaden are fooling the reds, and mullet seem to have been a bit more effective recently.
Inshore flounder fishing has been a bit tough, but anglers are connecting with some flatfish around docks near Little River and in the inlets. The flounder bite is also still going strong at nearshore structure like the Jim Caudle Reef. Both inshore and offshore, live finger mullet and menhaden are the way to go for the flatfish.
Some fat spanish mackerel are still feeding around Little River Inlet, and wherever anglers find clean water in the area, they’re likely to find the spaniards. They’ll bite live baits, but anglers can also cast topwater plugs and suspending baits like MirrOlures to hook up.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some flounder and speckled trout on live baits fished under the pier.
Some sheepshead are taking an interest in barnacles and sand fleas fished close to the pilings.
Plug casters are hooking bluefish on Gotchas.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some sea mullet and spot on shrimp and bloodworms.
