Ocean Isle July 22, 2010
Capt. Buddy Looper and Jeanette and Dickie Caddell with a 30 lb. king caught on a cigar minnow about 10 miles off of Ocean Isle.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the flounder bite has been solid around Yaupon Reef and other nearshore structure recently (with fish to 3-4 lbs.). The flounder bite’s decent inshore as well. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are fooling most of the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding off the Brunswick beaches, but the winds and dirty water made fishing a little tougher last week. The best bite has been in around 40’, and the majority of the fish are holding deep and falling for Clarkspoons behind planers.
Sharks are feeding along the beaches, where anglers can hook them while drifting with large cut baits within a few miles of shore.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that strong winds have kept most offshore fishermen at the dock lately, but when the wind moderates, there should still be some fish around. Before the blow, anglers were hooking up with king mackerel at structure in 50-70’ of water like the 90/90’s, the Shark Hole, and the Jungle, and those are good places to begin looking once the sea calms down.
Some sailfish and dolphin have been mixed in with the kings. All will take an interest in live pogies, but dead baits like cigar minnows will also draw strikes.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the dirty water and wind have made inshore fishing a little challenging over the past week, but anglers can still put together some decent catches of flounder and red drum by searching for the clean water and sheltered areas to fish.
The flounder bite has been best inshore around Ocean Isle lately, with fish coming from the residential canals and their mouths, ICW docks, and other spots off the waterway. Live finger mullet are showing up in greater numbers inshore and, though most have been on the small side lately, they’ve been producing the best action.
Red drum are also feeding inshore (with some fish 30+”), and anglers can find them along the same docks where they’re flounder fishing or in area creeks. The fish are scattered, so anglers should stay on the move until they find the fish. Live finger mullet will also attract attention from the reds.
Robin, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that whiting and bluefish have been the pier’s primary catches over the past week.
