Ocean Isle June 7, 2012
Wil Warner, of Sunset Beach, NC, with a black sea bass that bit a chunk of mullet off Little River Inlet.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that local boats making the run to the Gulf Stream last week found solid action with gaffer dolphin (most 10-15 lbs.) at spots like the Blackjack Hole, Steeples, and 100/400 in around 120-150’ of water last week. Ballyhoo trolled under skirted lures are accounting for most of the mahi.
Bottom fishermen are still scoring plenty of action with beeliners at bottom spots in 80-100’ of water. Squid and cut baits on multi-hook rigs are the tickets to hooking up with the tasty snappers.
Black sea bass season has opened, and anglers will have the best luck with keepers at spots in 65’ of water and deeper. The largest bass seem to be holding around structure in 80-90’. The same rigs and baits that anglers are fishing for beeliners will put the bass in the boat. Small vertical jigs are also effective.
Dirty water along the beaches has slowed the king and spanish mackerel bite, and even bluefish have been hard to come by recently.
There are some menhaden schooling along the beaches, so when the water cleans up, the fish should return.
Cobia, however, have been numerous in the 50-80’ depths (most 20-35 lbs. but some pushing 50). Live menhaden are one of the best bets for the cobes, but a large bucktail jig tipped with a squid or soft plastic bait will often fool them, too.
Kyle Warren with a 10 lb. flounder that bit a live menhaden in the Shallotte River near River's Edge Golf Course.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are finding more and more shrimp in the local creeks to cast-net for bait. Most are still on the small side, but anglers shouldn’t have to work too hard to put some solid baits in the livewell.
Red and black drum are also feeding in the local creeks (not by coincidence). Casting live shrimp on jigheads at lower, but moving, tides will tempt bites from both.
Speckled trout are also feeding in the creeks when the water’s higher, and casting live shrimp or Billy Bay Halo shrimp under popping corks will attract their attention.
There are also some specks looking for meals around ICW docks, and the same tactics are effective on them.
Red drum are feeding under area docks. Shrimp, cut and live pogies, or Gulp baits will tempt them to bite.
The inshore water clarity has been up-and-down due to the recent rains and wind. When the water’s clean in Tubbs Inlet, the flounder bite is still going strong. Live mud minnows and tiger-side minnows, as well as Gulp baits, will fool the flatfish (along with a few reds and trout feeding in the same areas).
Tracy and Ethan Edwards, from Locust, NC, with a 30" red drum they caught and released in the surf at Holden Beach. The red fell for a shrimp.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that dirty water slowed the fishing last week, but it’s cleaning up and anglers are starting to see some action.
Speckled trout are feeding beneath the pier, and anglers are catching them on float-rigged live shrimp in the morning hours.
Sheepshead are also looking for meals around the pilings, and they have a tough time turning down sand fleas.
Anglers bottom fishing with artificial bloodworms have seen a decent showing of spring spot in the past few days.
