Ocean Isle July 30, 2009

Brian Duffy, from Danburry, CT, holds a gaffer dolphin caught 5 miles past the Horseshoe on a purple/black Ilander with a ballyhoo. He was fishing with Matt Brooks and Steve Peloza on the 19' "Granny Kay."

Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the southwest winds slowed the offshore fishing a bit last week, finally ending a hot bite that’s been going on since late spring.

Anglers did manage to find some king mackerel on the feed in 65’ of water early in the week.

After a slow few days mid-week, the kings turned back on at spots in around 85’ last weekend. Slow-trolling live pogies is the way to fool the kings, although anglers may also be able to find some action while trolling cigar minnows on dead bait rigs.

The sailfish and dolphin have yet to turn back on since the winds kicked up, but anglers may be able to find a few in 60-90’ of water after the weather calms down.

Monique Nuandorff, from Rock Hill, NC, with a dolphin hooked on a dead cigar minnow southwest of Frying Pan Tower while she was fishing with Capt. Ryan Jordan on the charter boat "Fugitive" out of Southport.

Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that there’s been a good speckled trout bite around flooded grass inshore in the area lately, with some of the best action in the Calabash River. Live shrimp beneath floats are the top baits for the specks. The inshore specks haven’t been huge lately, but big numbers have been making up for what they lack in size.

There’s also been some trout action around the Little River jetties this week, where anglers are catching less fish but the average size is better.

Some big red drum are still feeding in Little River Inlet, and anglers are hooking them while drifting through the inlet with live pogies and finger mullet on Carolina rigs.

ICW docks in the area have been producing some solid mixed bag action with trout, flounder, and red drum lately. Live shrimp and finger mullet fished beneath floats and on Carolina rigs are the best ways to hook up with all three fish.

The flounder bite’s been good lately in the usual spots like Tubbs and Shallotte inlets and the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte rivers. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are the top baits for the flatfish.

Keith, of Stand’N Down Charters, reports that anglers have been catching king mackerel and dolphin from the 15 mile areas on out to the Horseshoe. Dead cigar minnows under South Chatham Tackle Pirate Plugs have been fooling most of the fish.

Bottom fishing in the same areas has produced some action with triggerfish, black sea bass, gag grouper, and American red snapper. Blue Water Candy Roscoe jigs have produced the majority of the action with the bottom dwellers.

Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are finding action with some speckled trout in the early mornings while fishing live shrimp just off the bottom.

Bottom fishermen are decking some whiting and spot on shrimp.

Flounder are taking an interest in live finger mullet fished on the bottom.

by Fish Post