Ocean Isle June 28, 2012
Alan and Brett Barnes with a 70+ lb. wahoo that bit a live menhaden offshore of Frying Pan Tower on king mackerel gear while they were slow-trolling on the "Hot Rod."
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite finally heated up last weekend, with two distinct bodies of kings offering fast action for local anglers.
The 60’ bite got hot around the Shark Hole (with fish to 40+ lbs.). Live menhaden produced plenty of action for boats trolling those depths, and a few dolphin and cobia are also feeding in the area.
More kings (again, with big fish to 30+ lbs.) have been feeding in the 100-110’ depths southwest of Frying Pan Tower. The cobia and dolphin bite has been even better at the offshore spots, and live menhaden and cigar minnows have been tempting those fish to bite.
Some large spanish mackerel (many 5+ lbs.) are chasing bait in the same areas and also taking an interest in live baits.
Gulf Stream trollers fishing offshore of the break reported excellent dolphin action last week around weedlines in 400’+ of water (with several fish over 30 lbs.). Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures are tempting bites from the dolphin.
Along the beaches, the spanish mackerel bite is still going strong, and anglers are catching big numbers while trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that there’s been a solid red drum bite around hard structure in the ICW this past week. Live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows are tempting bites from the reds.
The flounder action in Tubbs Inlet remains strong, and it finally seems as though more of the fish are keepers than not. Gulp baits and live mud minnows and tiger-side minnows on jigheads and Carolina rigs are producing the majority of the action with the flatfish.
Speckled trout are feeding throughout the ICW (though most are on the small side). Live and D.O.A. shrimp fished under popping corks are attracting plenty of attention from the little trout around grass banks, docks, and oyster beds.
Black and red drum are feeding around oyster rocks and docks in the creeks, and live shrimp are again the go-to baits.
Micahel Coble, of Marshville, NC, with a citation 6 lb., 7 oz. spanish mackerel he hooked on a live menhaden at Lighthouse Rocks while fishing with Jimmy McHenry on the "Trollin' Dirty."
The shrimp are becoming more numerous in the marshes, so anglers looking for bait shouldn’t have to work too hard with a cast net to put some in the livewell.
The red drum bite has also been solid for anglers drifting live shrimp and menhaden on the bottom near the Little River jetties. Plenty of other fish (like gray trout, bonnethead sharks, and black sea bass) are keeping anglers busy while they wait for the reds to strike.
Live shrimp fished under float rigs along the rocks are attracting attention from more reds, black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout.
Spanish mackerel are schooling just outside the inlets, and anglers are enjoying solid light-tackle action for them while casting weighted Clarkspoons and other flashy lures, or while live-chumming and free-lining small menhaden.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that some sea mullet, spot, and sharks are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and cut baits.
Some flounder and red drum are biting live baits fished under the pier.
