Ocean Isle May 25, 2006
Barrett, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that spanish mackerel are just outside the inlets and on the nearshore artificial reefs.
Kings are moving inshore and biting fairly well at the Shark Hole, the 390/390, and the Jungle.
Cobia are hanging around the reefs in 80 feet of water, and they should be steadily moving toward the beaches.
As for the bottom fishing, grouper are biting live baits very well in 100 feet of water.
The gulf stream action has been on fire for dolphin, with double digit days becoming consistent. A few tuna are being caught, and the tuna are mostly weighing in around 45 lbs. The wahoo bite has been good too, with the best bites coming from Winyah Scarp and the Blackjack Hole.
Stan Gurganis, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore the flounder fishing has taken off. Drifting creeks and the inlets with live pogies is your best bet.
Speckled trout are still around the Little River jetties, but live shrimp are needed to get the bigger fish to bite.
Spanish mackerel and big bluefish are biting right along the beach and just outside the inlets.
Will, at Ocean Isle Beach Pier, reports good catches of bluefish and a few spanish. Whiting are biting when the water is churned up, and flounder are biting live mud minnows when the water is clean.
No trout yet, but they should be arriving soon as more shrimp show up in the area.
Cecil, at Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the flounder are now arriving in good numbers, but most are only borderline keepers.
The creeks and rivers are still good for small speckled trout and red drum on artificials or live baits.
Nearshore there are some blues to be caught, and the spanish mackerel are around. Right on the beach, the surf fishermen have had whiting and blues in their catch.
Gulf stream action has been good when anglers are able to go. Look for catches of dolphin and wahoo, with the occasional blackfin or yellowfin tuna.
