Ocean Isle – July 17, 2014
Britt Williams with 17″ and 7.6 lb. flounder that bit Britts Bucktails with soft plastic trailers in an Ocean Isle Beach canal.
Kyle, of Speculator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that flounder have been producing the best inshore action in the area recently (with some still short but keeper fish to 3-4 lbs. in the mix). Anglers are finding them in Tubbs Inlet, the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly rivers, and at various spots along the ICW. Somewhat clean water has been the key to success, and casting live finger mullet and menhaden around flooded docks and grass lines has been one of the most productive techniques for the larger flounder over the past week.
Anglers are also still seeing some excellent flatfish action around nearshore structure off the beaches, and Carolina-rigged live baits have been producing in the ocean as well.
Red drum are biting around ICW structure like docks and bridges and around flooded grass lines at higher tides. Live shrimp under floats have been fooling the reds along the grass, and live and cut baits on the bottom are getting their attention around structure.
There’s also been good red action some days at the Little River jetties, but the bite’s still hard to predict. Live menhaden drifted on the bottom are the way to go for the jetty reds.
Speckled trout fishing has slowed down some inshore, but anglers are still hooking a few while fishing around flooded grass and oyster bars along the ICW near Calabash and Little River. Live shrimp under floats are the best bet for the specks.
Anglers are also seeing some solid trout at the Little River jetties, but it’s been tough to get the calm and clean water lately that turns the bite on and lets anglers get to the fish. When the conditions allow, drifting live shrimp under floats will fool the specks along the rocks as well.
Tim Capps, of Raleigh, NC, with an over-slot red drum that bit a live bait near Bald Head Island while he was fishing with Capt. Mason Ward of Cape Fear Charter Co.
Sheepshead are looking for meals at the jetties and at inshore dock and bridge pilings. Anglers can dangle barnacles, sand fleas, or fiddler crabs along the structure to connect with the sheeps.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are seeing some spanish mackerel action again off the local inlets and beaches. The bite’s been best in 30-50’ of water recently, and anglers are hooking most of the fish while trolling Clarkspoons and #1 and #2 planers.
Menhaden have shown back up along the beachfront for anglers looking for king mackerel baits.
The kings have been feeding at spots in the 85’ range recently, and they’re responding well to menhaden and other live baits.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers have had some good bottom fishing around Frying Pan Tower in the 80-90’ depths over the past week. Gag and scamp grouper, African pompano, and amberjacks have been biting live menhaden near structure in the area.
Smaller bottomfish like black sea bass and triggerfish are feeding in the same areas and biting squid and cut baits.
Bob Brandon, of Kingsport, TN, with an African pompano that struck a live menhaden near Frying Pan Tower in 85′ of water. He was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are on the feed along the beachfront, where boaters are hooking them on Clarkspoons trolled behind planers and cigar weights.
Large sharks are looking for meals in the same areas as the spaniards, and they will pounce on dead and cut baits.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that some sea mullet, spot, black drum, and spadefish are taking an interest in bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Speckled trout are biting live shrimp near the pier in the morning hours.
Anglers are also hooking some flounder on live mud minnows and mullet under the pier.
