Ocean Isle July 10, 2008

Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite has been solid in the 60-70′ areas, with the Jungle, 65′ Hole, and 70′ Hole playing host to some excellent fishing last week. Some larger kings are starting to show up, and boats weighed in a number in the mid to upper 20’s last week. Some dolphin are mixed in and feeding with the kings.

Pogies have been plentiful along the beachfront and near the inlets over the past week, so it shouldn’t be much trouble for anglers to net some live baits.

A little further offshore, boats landed several sailfish last week around the 100/400 and Atlantic Ledge while trolling skirted ballyhoo.

Bottom fishing has been good at structure in the 100-110′ depths lately, with anglers landing groupers and snappers. Live baits are the ticket to hook up with the largest groupers.

Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that red drum fishing has been the best thing going inshore over the past week. The reds have been feeding everywhere, with solid action at the Little River jetties, as well as docks, bridges, and other structure in the ICW. A live shrimp rigged beneath a float has proven nearly irresistible to the reds lately. Most of the fish have been between 18-22″, but it’s time for the larger 30+” fish to make a showing at the jetties.

Anglers are still landing some fat speckled trout (many in the 4 lb. range.) on live shrimp at the jetties, ICW docks, and in Shallotte River.

Flounder fishing remains good in Tubbs Inlet, and the bite has also been good around the concrete mouths of the Ocean Isle residential canals. Carolina-rigged finger mullet will get attention from the flatfish in the inlet or canals.

David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the 70′ deep areas are producing some very solid fishing right now. Big numbers of kings are chasing bait in that depth range (most 12-20 lbs., but a 42 lb. king was landed last week), and they’re joined by some large  spanish mackerel (4-6 lbs.), smaller dolphin, and a few cobia (clients also landed a 60 lb. cobia while king fishing last week).

Live baits have been producing the most action, and schools of pogies have been holding outside Shallotte Inlet in shallow water behind the breakers. When anglers can’t obtain live baits, frozen cigar minnows have been drawing strikes, but they seem to be appealing to a smaller class of fish.

Flounder fishing has been improving in Tubbs Inlet, with anglers landing plenty of fish (and a good number in the 3-4 lb. class). Live finger mullet or peanut pogies fished on Carolina rigs will be too much for the flounder to resist.

Caleb, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers fishing with live mud minnows are hooking up with good numbers of speckled trout and some flounder.

Bottom fishermen are landing some pompano on cut shrimp.

Plug casters are hooking some bluefish on Gotchas in the very early mornings.

by Gary Hurley