Ocean Isle – June 9, 2016
Brody, of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that spanish have turned on from right off the Ocean Isle beachfront on up to the mouth of the Cape Fear river channel. Mixed in with the smaller spanish are fish weighing up to 4 lbs. Clarkspoons are a steady producer, and lately they have worked with or without planers.
Keep an eye out for cobia hanging out with bait balls or on the nearshore reefs.
A little further off the beach in the 15-20 mile range, the schoolie king mackerel bite has been steady. There has been an occasional 25-30 lb. fish, but most have been in the 8-15 lb. range. Target the live bottom areas, such as the Shark Hole and the Jungle, and live and dead bait should produce. The cobia have been present in this area, too.
Heading to the Gulf Stream hasn’t really produced of late, but just inside of the Stream there’s been a strong mahi bite about 30-40 miles out. Start in 95-100’ of water (such as near the Navy Wreck) and troll a mix of naked and skirted ballyhoo. Smaller fish are present, but you can also expect 15-20 lb. gaffers.
Bottom fishing has also been consistent in the 40 mile range. Most of the catch has been beeliners, triggerfish, sea bass, and an occasional grouper.
Cade Lexa, of Raleigh, with a red drum he caught in an Ocean Isle Beach canal on a live shrimp.
Phillip, of the Rod and Reel Shop, reports that whiting and decent-sized croakers are being caught in the surf. Bloodworms or cut shrimp on the bottom are the way to target these species.
A few pompano have been landed; however, the size and quantity of the pomps will continue to be more promising as water temperatures rise.
While many spanish mackerel are being caught in 25-30’ of water, most are being caught closer towards the inlets and right on the beach.
The cobia, too, have been plentiful lately. Anglers are connecting with them by sight casting to cruising fish or casting live bait or bucktails to bait balls.
The flounder bite has been improving inside, especially in the river. Many are still undersized, but the number of quality fish (up to 22”) has been increasing.
As for offshore, the main action has been king mackerel. Target the Shark Hole using cigar minnows.
Phil Cline, of Bolivia, with his first mahi that he caught at the Horseshoe using a ballyhoo.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been decent around the Little River area. The specks have been averaging 1-2 lbs., but there are some 3-4 lb. quality fish mixed in as well.
Black and red drum are being landed using live shrimp, while flounder are being caught on mud minnows and menhaden. A lot of the flounder are still small, but more bigger fish are starting to show (including a few 5+ lb. flatfish).
Spanish mackerel are right off the beach and have been caught with Clarkspoons.
A lot of cobia have been reported migrating through the Southport area.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Bait & Tackle, reports that there has been an improved bite lately for both flounder and red drum. Anglers have been using mud minnows for the redfish in the marshes and ICW, and live pogies on Carolina rigs have been the best producer for flounder.
Nearshore has seen action with bluefish and spanish mackerel. Just about any Gotcha plug should work, but the blues seems to hit more on chartreuse with a red head, and the spanish have preferred solid gold.
Anglers have been finding large cobia right on the beach. Just look for any of the numerous bait balls, and you should find a cobia holding on one of them. Most of the bait balls have been in around 20’ of water.
King mackerel have been found about 15-20 miles out using cigar minnows, with fish being an average of 8-12 lbs.
Tyson, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that fishermen have pulled up a few speckled trout and landed a handful of spanish mackerel, but nothing notable in size has come over the rails. Most anglers are using Gotcha plugs (spanish) or shrimp (trout) as their bait of choice.
A lot of small sharks have been pestering the bottom fishermen.
