Ocean Isle June 6, 2013
Jake Crocker and Tripp Hooks, of Ocean Isle Beach, with gaffer dolphin they hooked on skirted ballyhoo. They were trolling in 180′ of water near the 100/400 with Capt. Forrest Taylor on the “That’s My Dog.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of dolphin while trolling local Gulf Stream hotspots like the Blackjack Hole and 100/400. A few wahoo are in the mix, and both are taking an interest in ballyhoo rigged with skirted trolling lures.
Bottom fishing offshore is producing a mixed bag of grouper, beeliners, grunts, sea bass, porgies, and more. Live baits are the best bet for anglers looking to target the grouper, and the other bottom dwellers will take an interest in squid or cut baits.
The black sea bass are also feeding on bottom structure to within a few miles of the beaches.
Cobia have been some of the big news lately, feeding along the beaches, just off the inlets, and at nearshore structure like the General Sherman and 390/390. Jigs with large soft plastic trailers and live baits are proven cobia foolers. Anglers should pay special attention to pods of menhaden moving along the beaches, as the cobia often follow the moving buffets.
A few king mackerel are around the same nearshore structure and taking an interest in live menhaden.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been solid just off the beaches, with most of the fish taking an interest in trolled Clarkspoons. Plenty of bluefish are in the same areas and biting the spoons as well.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are finding some excellent fishing at the Little River jetties right now. The speckled trout bite at the rocks has finally turned on and developed some consistency. Most of the specks are falling for live shrimp drifted under floats, which are also fooling some red and black drum and sheepshead.
There’s also still solid flounder fishing going on in Tubbs Inlet and Cherry Grove, with more keeper fish by the week. Live mud minnows and peanut menhaden are fooling most of the flatfish.
Red drum are feeding around docks and other hard structure in the ICW, where they’ll be looking for meals all summer long. Live mud minnows, shrimp, and Gulp baits will all attract attention from the reds. A few black drum are mixed in and will also take an interest in the shrimp.
Peter Brown, of Dayton, OH, caught this 31″ bluefish in the Ocean Isle surf after it struck a finger mullet.
Anglers can also find the red and black drum feeding around oyster rocks and potholes in the marsh creeks at lower tidal stages, and then fool them with the same offerings.
Kyle, of Speckulator Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite has gotten better all over the area (with most fish 1.5-3 lbs.). Anglers are reporting good catches from the Little River jetties, the Calabash River, and many of the backwater spots nearby. Live shrimp are the best bets for the specks, and anglers are beginning to be able to cast-net shrimp large enough to use for bait, although it’s still a laborious process.
Some solid red drum (most 8-12 lbs. but some to 20+ lbs.) are also feeding around the jetties and taking an interest in live and cut menhaden.
Anglers are also sight-casting to some reds in flooded marsh grass on the high tides.
Flounder fishing remains decent in Cherry Grove and Tubbs Inlets, and anglers are starting to see some larger flatfish (like a 7 lb. fish weighed last week) around hard structure inshore. Live menhaden are the best bet for the larger flounder, and they’re finally abundant (and small) enough to be readily available for flounder baits.
Trey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking speckled trout from the pier on live baits and artificial lures.
Some spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Bottom fishermen caught decent numbers of spot one day last week.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom are connecting with some flounder.
