Ocean Isle July 28, 2005
Brant McMullan, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the menhaden have finally arrived in good numbers along the beaches in Brunswick county, so the big king baits are now around. The king bite has been fair in the 50 to 65 foot depth range for 10 to 20 pound class fish. There should be plenty of cigar minnows in the same areas as the kings. You can jig them up if more bait is needed.
The grouper bite has been good in the 100 to 120 foot depths. Dolphin reports have slowed, but more sailfish are being reported anywhere from 5 to 25 miles out.
Closer to shore the flounder have arrived on nearshore reefs providing good action along the beach.
Will, at Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports a busy week with speckled trout in the mornings, and they shouldn’t turn down a live shrimp. Pompano and whiting are biting in the breakers, and the flounder have turned on too. Spanish are on the end. They should eat a Gotcha plug, or you can light line a live mullet out to them.
Hunter, at The Rod and Reel Shop, reports king mackerel have been the hot bite with most of the action more than 18 miles out. Nothing to report on dolphin or sailfish this week, but they should be around. Big 5 to 6 lb. spanish have shown up along the beach, while surf fishing has slowed somewhat with anglers still catching whiting, spots, blues, and a couple of drum. Flounder fishing has picked up (with the heat) in the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers.
