Ocean Isle – March 24, 2016
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that some bluefish are starting to show along the beach, so any day now the spanish mackerel will arrive.
There are no reports of any bonito being caught yet, but since plenty of false albacore have been hooked, we can expect the bonito to arrive shortly.
The black sea bass bite has been very good over the past couple of weeks, but it seems that they have thinned out a bit over the last few days.
Out in the Gulf Stream, the wahoo bite has been consistent over the past couple of weeks, with fish being caught in areas north of the Same Ole and around the Winyah Scarp. Weighted Blue Water Candy lures and Fathom high speed lures have been very productive in hooking up with the speedy ‘hoos.
Kimber Leigh Sneed with a red caught on a pearl white and chartreuse tail Gulp shrimp on a Blue Water Candy jig head around Ocean Isle.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Bait & Tackle, reports that the red drum and speckled trout bite has been very good as of late. Water temperatures in some of the shallows and flats along the bay across from Varnum Town have been marked as high as 69 degrees, and those spots have been producing a bunch of the action. There have also been nice catches of trout around the Holden Beach canal. Gulp shrimp on 3/16 oz. Blue Water Candy jig heads and Halo shrimp have been very effective in connecting with both the trout and the drum.
Out in the ocean, particularly around the Horseshoe, there has been a solid bite with some nice-sized black sea bass. Dropping down 4 oz. white Spro bucktails tipped with 6” Gulps has been very effective in putting sea bass in the cooler.
Rick, of The Rod and Reel Shop, reports that there have been some speckled trout caught in the area inlets, with a number of fish between 4-5 lbs. MirrOlures and Rapala X-Raps have been the best bet as far as getting the big trout to strike.
There have also been some black drum caught around local docks using cut shrimp on Carolina rigs and jig heads.
In the surf, the fishing is beginning to pick up as well. Some whiting are being caught, as well as bluefish and pufferfish. Cut shrimp and sand fleas on bottom rigs are producing most of the action in the surf.
Bottom fishing in the 6-7 mile range offshore has been producing some catches of legal sea bass.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Charters, reports that there are good numbers of speckled trout, although a majority of the fish are on the smaller side. Look for the trout in the area creeks around Dunn Sound and Little River, as well as along the ICW. Vudu shrimp, Z-Man trout tricks, and Storm shrimp have been effective in getting the trout to strike, and there are also some redfish in the same areas taking the same baits.
Black drum are feeding in the same areas, too, and around area docks. Cut shrimp on Carolina rigs and crabs (when they can be found) are good baits to get attention from the black drum as well as the reds.
Some flounder are being caught in the creeks around the Cherry Grove area, with a few keepers mixed in. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs are the best bet in getting attention from the early season flounder.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports that the action recently has been limited to sharks and rays on cut baits, but the Virginia mullet should be making an appearance real soon.
The water temperature is currently 60 degrees.
