Ocean Isle July 26, 2012
Troy, of Mannassas, VA, with a flounder that bit a live menhaden near Ocean Isle while he was fishing with Capt. Mark Stacy of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite remains consistent, but boats have had to run out of Carolina Beach on some recent days to seek shelter from relentless southwest winds. The ever-warming water temperatures have the best fishing a bit further off the beach than usual (in 30-40’ of water), so using larger planers or fishing the lines further back will help anglers get their offerings deeper.
When boats can make it out to them, king mackerel should still be feeding at spots in around 65’ of water, with more fish in the 80-100’ depths. Both dead cigar minnows and live menhaden will fool the kings, and baits fished deep on the downrigger are more effective as the surface water temperatures increase. Some dolphin are still mixed in with the kings, and they will fall for the same baits.
Bottom fishermen should be able to find plenty of action with black sea bass and beeliners at spots in around 100’ of water, and small cut baits will fool both. Fishing baits 10-15’ up off the bottom will often attract attention from the larger beeliners.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has slowed down somewhat, but boats are still finding a few in 30-40’ of water around menhaden schools.
The king mackerel bite is still going at spots in 60-70’ of water like the Shark Hole (with plenty of 12-20 lb. fish and some larger), and live menhaden or dead cigar minnows will tempt bites from the kings.
A few dolphin and cobia are feeding alongside the kings and also responding well to cigar minnows and menhaden.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the best inshore action in the area lately has been around Little River Inlet, but the strong winds have limited the number of days that anglers can fish the inlet.
Drifting through the inlet with live menhaden and shrimp has been producing steady action with red drum, ladyfish, gray trout, flounder, and other species.
John Sheperd, of Ft. Mill, SC, with a bull dolphin that bit a skirted ballyhoo in 300' of water off Holden Beach while he was trolling on the "Pokey."
Fishing live shrimp on float rigs just off the rocks is attracting attention from some speckled trout along with more reds.
Fishing inside the inlets has been tough with water temperatures in the high-80’s, but anglers are still finding sporadic flounder action around Tubbs Inlet. Live finger mullet and menhaden are fooling most of the flatfish, and the bite’s been most reliable when and where anglers can find the cleanest water.
Some black drum are feeding around docks and near oyster rocks in the creeks around low rising tides. Live shrimp are tops for the black drum.
The shrimp are becoming even more prevalent in the area, and anglers can find them in the creeks at low tides and load up with a cast net.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that some spot and sea mullet are taking an interest in shrimp fished on double-hook bottom rigs. A few black drum and spadefish are also in the mix.
