Ocean Isle July 15, 2010
Susie Browder, from Ocean Isle, with a 3.5 lb. speckled trout that she hooked on a live pogie while fishing in Tubbs Inlet with Derek Edwards.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of flounder at the area’s nearshore reefs on live finger mullet.
The inshore flounder bite’s been solid as well in the inlets and along the ICW.
Plenty of large sharks are feeding nearshore, and anglers are hooking them while drifting with large cut baits a short distance off the beaches.
The king mackerel bite’s been excellent at the Shark Hole and other spots in 50-70’ of water lately. Most of the fish are falling for live pogies.
The dolphin bite’s slowed down a bit, but anglers are hooking some kings on frozen and live cigar minnows in around 95’ of water while bottom fishing.
The bottom fishing’s been solid as well lately. Anglers are hooking scamp and gag groupers on live baits and beeliners, sea bass, and smaller bottom dwellers on cut baits and squid.
Amberjacks are holding on high relief structure offshore, and they will fall for live baits.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers have found some excellent king mackerel action over the past week at the 90/90’s, the Shark Hole, and other spots in 50-75’ of water. Live pogies are the go-to baits for the kings, and they’ve been plentiful just off Shallotte Inlet.
A few sailfish have been sighted and released in the same areas where anglers are king mackerel fishing, and some scattered dolphin are around as well.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches, and anglers should have little trouble hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons.
Jake Green with a 6 lb., 11 oz. flounder he hooked near Oak Island while fishing with Capt. Cliff McKeithan of Privateer Charters.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the area’s flounder bite is still consistent (and anglers caught decent numbers in the 3-5 lb. class last week). Live finger mullet seem to be outproducing pogies on the flounder. The fish have been feeding at the nearshore reefs and in the inlets, the rivers, and around docks and other structure on the ICW.
The red drum bite has been solid around ICW docks lately, and anglers are also picking up some stray speckled trout while flounder and drum fishing.
Drift fishing the Little River jetties has been producing consistent action with reds, flounder, bonnethead sharks, bluefish, croakers, and more. Live shrimp are producing the most action, but pogies and finger mullet may prove tempting to the larger fish. The low and rising tide seems to be producing the best bite at Little River recently.
Corey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching some red and black drum along with a few flounder on live shrimp and mud minnows.
Bottom fishing with cut shrimp is attracting attention from some whiting.
