Ocean Isle July 1, 2004
Graham, at Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports that the water has been muddy, so the spots and the whiting have been the strongest bite. The water is clearing up, and when it does the pier enjoys catches of trout. The method for trout has been live shrimp out on float rigs. The pier lost a cobia right at one of the pilings of the dock. It was estimated at 25 to 30 lbs., and it bit on a live bluefish on a king rig. The pier has also been seeing some flounder (18 to 20″) and a few drum. There was also a shark run earlier in the week. Guys brought in several that went over 4 feet.
Rhett, at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that flounder have been doing well. Tubb’s Inlet continues to be a “go to” spot. There are now more mullet in the creeks, and the flounder fishing has been better with mullet as bait. However, the mullet are still a little small.
The spanish are heavy around the inlet. The best bet is to fish with planers. There aren’t too many big ones, as the size seems to have averaged out at 1 to 2 lbs. The cobia bite is still happening. Boats are finding them on the wrecks. OI Fishing Center weighed in two citation size cobia this week. They have also been finding really big amberjacks, including one that weighed around 60 lbs. Barracudas are also all over the wrecks and other offshore areas.
The kings are in better quantity now, and they should be averaging more in the 15 to 20 lb. class by the end of the week. There are a few smaller size dolphin mixed in with the kings. Look to fish the usual hot spots, such as “The Jungle,” for the Jolly Mon this weekend.
