Ocean Isle – March 23, 2017
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore anglers are connecting with slot redfish on live mud minnows.
Those looking for speckled trout should fish for them on the falling tide. Vudu shrimp under corks are doing the trick. Most fish are over 15”, with some 3-4 lb. larger fish mixed in.
There are black drum scattered throughout the area.
Jeff Edge, of Fayetteville, with an 18” trout landed in the Shallotte River on a soft plastic.
Derek, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that offshore along the beach the bite has been slow. Redfish and flounder have been reported caught from Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460) to the 10 Mile Boxcar. In between the two ARs, flounder are being landed off 1 oz. jigheads tipped with mud minnows, as the flatfish are currently favoring live bait. However, strips of squid will also work. Redfish have hung around all winter, most likely from the amount of bait that has been in the water, and they will take any type of cut bait (like mullet).
Further offshore, anglers are mostly connecting with black sea bass out until the 40 mile region. Once there, anglers will find topwater action with king mackerel and barracuda. Mahi haven’t yet moved back into the area.
The wahoo have been biting, though the bite isn’t as good as it was in the fall. Look for the pelagic fish in the 55 mile range, and expect a few blackfin tuna as well. Skirted ballyhoo in dark colors are doing the trick.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the week before the cold snap, small reds and black drum were biting inshore. Anglers can find success dock-hopping during a falling tide in places like Lockwood Folly River. They’re mostly using shrimp on a Carolina rig. The reds were averaging 17-22”, while the black drum were coming in 14-16” in length. Reds will also take Gulp shrimp during a rising tide in shallow water, with the 3” shrimp in new penny proving successful.
The big whiting have made their move to the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and anglers can connect with them using a two-hook bottom rig tipped with shrimp and Fishbites.
Anglers heading out of the Lockwood Folly Inlet can find success on structure and AR’s in the 18 mile range. Jigging 2 oz. bucktails tipped with white Z-Man jerkshads will connect anglers to large flounder up to 5 lbs., perhaps a 40 lb. bull drum, and keeper-sized sea bass.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the bite is slow in the area. Anglers are connecting with whiting using shrimp on two-drop bottom rigs, and trout are falling for various artificials.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the trout fishing has been fairly decent through the winter. The fish have been backed up in creeks and holes up the Shallotte River and around Sunset Beach. Vudu shrimp and artificial swimbaits have been working on the seasonal fish. Anglers can expect to connect with reds in the same area, with most taking artificials.
Black drum are being caught off docks and in the creeks. Shrimp (and live crabs if you can find them) on Carolina rigs are tempting bites.
Jim, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers aren’t having much luck off the planks, with the occasional whiting being caught here and there.
