Ocean Isle July 28, 2011
Jonathon Sweeney and Kelsey-Anne Norton, of Lumberton, NC, with a red drum that fell for a live shrimp in the ICW near Ocean Isle.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been excellent lately. The schools are concentrated, so it may take anglers a while to find the fish. When the schools are found, though, quadruple hookups aren’t uncommon. Finding the bait is key to finding the fish, and the glass minnows (that the spanish prefer) have been schooled up around pods of menhaden a bit further off the beaches than usual. Searching for working birds in 30-45’ of water off the beaches will tip anglers off to the presence of bait and likely the spanish. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting small metal jigs to the fish will tempt them to bite.
The winds have kept boats from venturing much further offshore in the past week. Anglers reported some king mackerel at spots not too far out like the 90/90’s and Christina’s Ledge last week, so the fish may well still be there when the weather calms.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the conditions (wind and heat) have made fishing a little tougher lately, but anglers are still putting some fish in the boat inshore.
Flounder fishing remains decent in Tubbs Inlet and around shallow water structure like docks in the ICW. Gulp baits and small live baits will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Some red drum are feeding around the ICW structure as well, and they will strike the same baits.
Speckled trout have been feeding one day and lock-jawed the next in some of the creeks off the ICW.
The red and black drum bite has been up-and-down in Little River Inlet, but anglers hooked decent numbers of both last week while drifting live shrimp on the bottom.
A mixed bag of other fish—including bluefish, speckled and gray trout, whiting, flounder, ladyfish, spanish mackerel, and more—are falling for the shrimp in the inlet and producing plenty of action.
Will Baddour with a 36" king mackerel that bit a frozen cigar minnow near Frying Pan Tower while he was fishing with his father and grandfather.
Jacob, of J&J Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of flounder (but many are on the small side). Live finger mullet have been outproducing artificials with the flounder lately.
Red drum are feeding around inshore structure like the beach bridges and docks off the ICW and Shallotte River. Soft plastic paddletail baits or a variety of live baits will get the reds’ attention.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some fat black drum on live shrimp from the planks.
Some spot are falling for shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Sharks are feeding near the pier, and anglers landed some to 6’ last week on cut baits.
