Ocean Isle July 11, 2013
Will Michalove, of Wrightsville Beach, with a dolphin that bit a ballyhoo behind a Lil’ Stubby lure while he was trolling near the 100/400 aboard the “Black Dog” with Bob Newell.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still combatting serious amounts of fresh, brown water within 5 miles of the beaches, which has slowed spanish mackerel action to a crawl. There are plenty of menhaden on the beachfront for anglers looking for live baits for king mackerel or other offshore fish.
The water starts clearing up in the 5 mile range, and local spots in 65-70’ of water like the Jungle and Shark Hole are sporting some “king green” water right now. The king mackerel bite has finally gotten consistent in those areas. Live baits like menhaden are top choices for the kings, but anglers can also hook up while trolling dead cigar minnows.
A few cobia are still around and biting anglers’ baits, primarily in the 80-100’ depth range.
Bottom fishermen are reporting a slow grouper bite.
Those making the run to the blue water are still connecting with some dolphin, but that bite has slowed down some as well.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are still finding action with red drum in the area creeks, with the best bite happening near low tide around oyster bars.
Some over-slot reds, speckled trout, and sheepshead are feeding around the Little River jetties.
Flounder are still looking for meals throughout the area, but finding clean water has been key to hooking up with the flatfish lately and hasn’t been easy.
Elijah Crabtree (age 9), of Bladenboro, NC, with a sheepshead he hooked on a sand flea while fishing inshore of Ocean Isle Beach with his father.
Live shrimp are producing the majority of the action with all the inshore predators right now. The influx of fresh water from the rains has made catching shrimp something of a challenge over the past week, but anglers who do will up their odds of a successful day substantially. Rigging the shrimp on light jigheads in the creeks (and Carolina or float rigs in deeper water) has been the best bet.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that dirty water and holiday boat traffic have made fishing a bit tough over the past week, but anglers are still finding some action in the area.
Speckled trout and red and black drum are feeding around Little River, Calabash Creek, and the Sunset Beach Bridge. Anglers are hooking all three on live shrimp pinned to float and Carolina rigs, and the best action recently has been in spots with the cleanest water.
Flounder are still feeding in the backwaters around Tubbs Inlet and the Ocean Isle canals. Live mud minnows have been producing most of the flatfish action lately, but the area’s finger mullet are just now reaching bait size and are also a good bet.
Drifting live shrimp under float rigs around the Little River jetties has been producing plenty of action with speckled trout, sheepshead, and red drum.
Trey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some spot and black drum while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some speckled trout and flounder are falling for live shrimp and minnows fished under the pier.
