Ocean Isle – July 23, 2015
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with solid numbers of flounder in the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte rivers at present. Gulp shrimp have been fooling many of the fish recently, and anglers are also hooking up while fishing live menhaden on Carolina rigs.
Spanish mackerel action remains strong, with the fish moving from the beach out to areas 3-4 miles offshore depending on the water clarity. Anglers are fooling the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons and other flashy lures.
King mackerel and dolphin fishing remains strong at spots 20-30 miles from the coast, with plenty of fish taking an interest in dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo trolled at 3-5 knots.
Hunter Simpson, of Elon, NC, with a pair of flounder she landed while fishing with her family in Shallotte Inlet.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing an improved speckled trout bite inshore between Little River and Shallotte (with mixed fish from 10” to 4 lbs.). Most of the specks are falling for live shrimp fished on float rigs, but anglers are hooking a few on a variety of artificial lures as well.
Flooded grass and shell banks have been producing the best fishing from the specks, and anglers are also picking up some red and black drum on the shrimp while targeting the specks.
Red drum and flounder are feeding around docks and other structure in the ICW, and they’re biting live finger mullet, which have grown large enough to make decent baits for the season.
The flounder action in Tubbs Inlet is still going well, and anglers are seeing the best keeper ratio of the year on the area’s flatfish right now.
Larger, over-slot red drum are feeding around the Little River jetties, with some days producing a solid bite and others slower. Drifting along the channel and rocks is the way to connect with the reds, and anglers are fooling them with live and cut menhaden.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding off the area’s inlets and beaches, but they’ve been a bit spread out lately.
Will Snellgrove prepares to release a blue marlin caught by angler Bart Key while they were trolling in 100 fathoms off Holden Beach with Ash Cook and Chris Garner on the “Pokey.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that there’s been a stellar king mackerel bite at local spots in 65-70’ of water over the past week (most 8-12 lb. schoolies but some fish 20+ lbs.). More cobia are showing up in the same range, and anglers are also hooking a few dolphin. Dead cigar minnows and ballyhoo have been producing just as well as live baits on all three fish recently.
The spanish mackerel bite has slowed a bit along the beaches due to dirty water from persistent southwest winds. Anglers looking to connect with the spaniards may have to head a bit further offshore than usual if the water’s murky, but they should be able to find some fish inside the 50’ depths. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and inline weights is the best bet for those looking to connect with the spanish.
Terry, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet and a few spot while bottom fishing from the pier. Shrimp and bloodworms are producing most of the action.
Some sheepshead are feeding around the pilings and biting barnacles and sand fleas.
