Ocean Isle – March 3, 2016
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boats making it out to the Gulf Stream, and particularly around the Winyah Scarp, are finding some solid action with wahoo. Look for water temperatures between 66 and 71 degrees to find action with the wahoo, and trolling skirted ballyhoo and other artificials are the go to baits for the wahoo.
There has also been some solid king mackerel action around Frying Pan Tower (as well as east of the tower) for those boats making the trip out.
Closer in towards shore, the black sea bass bite has also been good. The best bet has been to look for the sea bass around structure in 70-90 feet of water.
Dale Smith, Nicanthony Coptsias, Kevin Cook, and Richard Domanski with several large kings they hooked while trolling “BigNic Lures” Mackahoos rigged with cigars. The fish were caught around Frying Pan Tower, aboard “ReelForce III,” out of Holden Beach.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that there has been consistent red and black drum fishing all winter long. Some good spots to find fish right now are back in the local creeks. Gulp shrimp on red jig heads worked slowly have been a productive bait as of late for the drum.
As the air temperatures and water temperatures warm up over the coming weeks, expect these fish to start leaving their winter spots and making their way back into more open water. Once the drum have moved out back into the ICW, you can expect to find them more regularly around local docks and oyster beds where you can get them to bite fresh shrimp and crabs.
Danielle Wilson with a 46 1/2” red drum caught off the Little River Inlet. the big red fell for a live pogy.
The trout bite has also been fairly consistent throughout the winter, with much of the action coming out of the canals around Holden Beach and Ocean Isle. Look for the trout action to continue in these same places over the coming weeks, as well as around the Little River jetties where some keeper trout can be found as well as some larger drum.
Storm shrimp, Vudu shrimp, and paddle tail grubs have been some good choices for trout during the winter and early spring, and drifting live mud minnows in the inlet close to the jetties will provide a good opportunity for some action with the larger drum and trout.
The water temperature is currently in the low 50’s.
Shaun Hooks with a 5 lb. pompano that was caught off Holden Beach while fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports some nice sea bass being caught out near the Horseshoe, as well as some red and black drum already being caught along the ICW. Cut shrimp on Carolina rigs and jig heads have been the go to bait for the early season drum.
In the coming weeks as temperatures rise, the Virginia mullet bite should turn on in the surf and around the piers, and shortly after that the spanish mackerel and bluefish will turn on as well.
