Ocean Isle Winter 2012-2013
Bob Newell with a wahoo that bit a purple/black-skirted ballyhoo near the 100/400 while he was trolling on the “Black Dog” with Andrew Sanderson.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers found good wahoo fishing last week along the break between the Steeples and 100/400 areas (with some fish to 60 lbs.). Some blackfin tuna are also in the mix, and anglers are hooking both on ballyhoo and skirted trolling lures. Anglers should be able to find action with the ‘hoos and blackfins all winter long unless the warm water pushes offshore of the break.
Working vertical jigs around high-relief structure along the break is producing action with grouper and amberjacks, but big numbers of sharks are making it a challenge at times to get fish to the boat.
King mackerel action has been hot east of Frying Pan Tower recently, with anglers catching big numbers on cigar minnows. There should be kings in the Tower vicinity all winter long as long as the water doesn’t fall below the mid-60 degree mark. The ledges southwest of the tower are also good bets, and they can even produce a wahoo or two in wintertime if warm, clean water pushes into the area.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that red drum are starting to move into their reliable winter patterns, feeding in the shallow creeks and on flats in the area backwaters. Shallow draft boats are required to get back into many of the best areas, but anglers who put in the effort can often have some incredible fishing right through the cold months. Casting Gulp baits into deeper depressions and potholes in the flats or to fish that anglers spot pushing water is the way to tempt bites from the skinny-water reds.
Andy Duskie with a 72.8 lb. wahoo that bit a high-speed lure at the Blackjack Hole while he was trolling with Bob Chinn and Frank Price out of Oak Island on the “Dirty Dog.”
More reds are on the feed around ICW structure like docks, and good numbers of black drum are mixed in with them. Gulp baits and fresh shrimp are attracting attention from both drum.
Anglers are still finding some action with speckled trout in the ICW near Calabash and Coquina Harbor, and they’re tempting them to bite MirrOlures and Halo shrimp.
Some larger specks (many 2-3 lbs. with some pushing 5 lbs.) are feeding around the Little River jetties, and anglers are also hooking some red and black drum while waiting on trout bites. A few live shrimp are still in the area, and suspending the shrimp under a float has been the best bet along the rocks lately.
Wendy, of Sheffield’s, reports that good numbers of whiting are still being caught. In addition to pulling them from the surf, anglers are also finding them in the ICW, the rivers, and in the canals. The best bet has been using bait shrimp.
Dylan Lissor with a 21″ flounder that bit a live finger mullet while he was fishing with his father and grandfather.
Trout are also strong in the area, with the canals producing better than most areas, as well as the Shallotte River. Live shrimp are the best tactic, but when they’re not available then Gulp and D.O.A.s have been working, too.
Red and black drum have also been getting hooked, and they’ve seen scattered catches coming from the surf, the ICW, the canals, and the area’s rivers.
Cecil, of The Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the area is enjoying a strong trout bite so far this winter. The main locations to find the headshakers have been the Lockwood Folly River, Shallotte River, and in the ICW. And the best tides seem to be one hour before to one hour after low tide.
Most are falling for new penny Gulps and electric chicken Bass Assassins on a ¼ oz. jighead. The fish have been running between 18-24”, and the bite is expected to last through February.
Anglers are also picking up a few red drum in the same spots they’re fishing for trout. And there are still reports of an occasional flounder being caught, mostly on Gulps.
