Ocean Isle March 8, 2012
Britt Williams with a speckled trout that bit a soft plastic bait in the ICW near Ocean Isle Beach.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that it’s time to head for the Gulf Stream when boats get a decent weather window. Blackfin tuna and wahoo are the main targets this time of year. Trolling ballyhoo and a variety of artificials will fool both fish, and anglers can also work vertical jigs and topwater plugs around tuna they see on the surface and on the depthfinder to put them in the fish box.
Jigging at structure along the break will produce plenty of action with amberjacks and a variety of other fish during this transitional time from winter to spring.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that there’s still a solid speckled trout and red drum bite going on in the local backwaters. The canals behind Holden Beach and Oak Island seem to be holding some of the larger fish. An occasional flounder is in the mix, and all three fish will take an interest in Gulp baits on light jigheads.
Offshore, the commercial fleet is finding some action with king mackerel in around 100’ of water to the east, but they’re still quite a long way out for recreational anglers.
Wahoo and blackfin tuna are on the feed out in the Gulf Stream when anglers are able to get out. Trolling ballyhoo and skirted lures will tempt bites from both, and anglers can also hook up with the blackfins while jigging around bait and tuna marks they see on the sounder.
Lauren Wheatley, of Holden Beach, with a 18" speckled trout that bit a Gulp bait in the Lockwood Folly River while she was fishing with Forrest Ashley.
Jacob, of J&J Inshore Charters, reports that the red drum and speckled trout bite has been decent all winter long, and it continues to be good around inshore structure like docks and bridges. A few flounder have been in the mix all winter. Giggers have been seeing good numbers, so a good flounder year is likely on the horizon.
There are enormous amounts of fry fish around due to the warmer than usual winter, so anglers can look forward to plenty of bait in the area early in the season and hopefully plenty of gamefish action along with it.
