Ocean Isle – July 16, 2015
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers are seeing an excellent spanish mackerel bite again off Holden Beach. Many are falling for Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and cigar weights, and the fish have been schooled up enough that anglers are hooking good numbers on light tackle while casting the spoons and metal jigs.
Sharks are looking for meals in the same areas as the spanish, with a very hot bite in 25’ of water last week. Spanish mackerel and live croakers have been tough for the sharks to turn down.
There’s been a decent flounder bite around nearshore reefs just off the coast. Anglers are fooling the flatfish with live baits on Carolina rigs.
The king mackerel, dolphin, and cobia action remains consistent at spots in the 20 mile range off Brunswick County. Anglers are fooling most of the fish while trolling dead cigar minnows.
Walt Bounds, of Laurinburg, NC, with his first dolphin, a 12.35 lb. fish that struck a cigar minnow at Yaupon Reef during the Jr. Jolly Mon Tournament.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing a good flounder bite in the area right now. Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Shallotte Inlet, and spots along the ICW continue to produce action with the flatfish. Live menhaden and finger mullet are fooling the fish (with mullet drawing a few more bites). Anglers are also finding solid flounder action at nearshore reefs in the ocean, where the fish are also falling for live baits.
The speckled trout bite is still going along shell and grass banks in the ICW and near Calabash. Anglers are hooking the specks on live shrimp fished beneath floats, and the bite’s been good some days and slower on others.
Black and red drum are feeding around docks and other structure in the ICW near Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach. Anglers can tempt both to bite live or cut shrimp, with mullet and menhaden also effective on the reds.
Kyle and Kaylee Sellers with Kaylee’s largest flounder, a 4.5 lb. fish that bit a live menhaden in the ICW near Holden Beach.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers continue to encounter king mackerel while fishing local spots in the 60-70’ depths. Some dolphin and cobia have been feeding alongside the kings, and all three are responding well to dead baits like cigar minnows and ballyhoo. Live baits often help anglers target the larger fish, but dead baits have been more effective at getting bites lately.
Josh Hollander, from Ohio, with a fat flounder that bit a 3″ Gulp shrimp near Lockwood Folly Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet, black drum, and a few spot while bottom fishing with shrimp.
A few speckled trout are falling for live shrimp near the pier.
Plug casters are connecting with a few bluefish while working Gotchas from the planks.
One cobia was also hooked early in the week.
