Ocean Isle – August 7, 2014
Ray Zeng, of Shallotte, NC, with a cubera snapper that he hooked while bottom fishing 50 miles off Shallotte Inlet.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder action remains consistent in the local waters, with Tubbs Inlet producing many of the fish that anglers are seeing. They’re also biting around ICW structure like docks and at nearshore wrecks and reefs in the ocean. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are tough to beat for the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding along ICW structure as well. There’s also been a good bite in Bonaparte Creek and at the Little River jetties. Live shrimp and finger mullet fished on the bottom are fooling the reds wherever they’re feeding.
Speckled trout action is still hit-or-miss, but anglers are finding some inshore in the creeks and at the Little River jetties. Many seem to be loners, as it’s been one here/one there on many recent days, but anglers have found the specks schooled up at a few spots and cobbled together some good catches. Live shrimp fished beneath floats are tough to beat for the trout.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are tangling with some big sharks offshore of the Brunswick County beaches. Most are falling for live, dead, and cut menhaden and giving anglers some serious battles.
Last week’s rains kept people off the water and slowed down the reports, but anglers should be able to find some fish when they get back into the ocean.
Kevin Darr, of Charlotte, NC, with a pair of 20″ flounder that bit live finger mullet at some nearshore structure off Lockwood Folly Inlet while he was fishing with his father.
King mackerel had been spread out from the ocean piers to the break prior to the deluge, and it’s possible anglers will be able to find scattered king action wherever they can find clean water and bait schools in the coming weeks. Some cobia had been mixed in at the nearshore spots, while dolphin were joining the action offshore. Live baits are tough to beat for the kings, and there have been some menhaden along the beachfront for anglers looking for bait.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the menhaden have shown back up on the beach after the rainy week and weekend. Anglers haven’t had much opportunity to fish since the weather, but it’s likely things will continue in a typical summertime pattern once the water settles down a bit.
Spanish mackerel should be feeding along the beachfront when it cleans up, and anglers can temp the spaniards to bite Clarkspoons trolled behind planers.
There were a few kings biting along the beachfront before the storm as well, though the dirty water may have pushed that action offshore.
Large sharks should still be looking for meals within sight of land. Anglers can tempt the big predators to bite live and dead menhaden.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking solid numbers of spot off the pier on bloodworms. Some sea mullet are mixed in.
Flounder are taking an interest in live finger mullet and mud minnows on the bottom.
Anglers baiting up with live shrimp are connecting with some speckled trout.
