Ocean Isle May 26, 2011
Jay Owens, of Wilmington, with flounder (the largest 6 lbs.) that fell for Gulp baits while he was fishing in Tubbs Inlet.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream trolling remains good off the area. Boats making the run to the blue water are hooking up with solid numbers of gaffer dolphin (with fish to 50 lbs. this past week) from the Steeples down to the 100/400 and Winyah Scarp. Some blackfin tuna and wahoo are still in the mix, and several white marlin have been released at local spots lately. Ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures are responsible for most of the action.
Gag and scamp grouper fishing has been good lately at spots in 100’ and deeper, though the fish should start moving a bit closer to shore in the 80’ range soon. Live baits are the best choices for the larger groupers, but anglers can also connect while drifting and working vertical jigs.
Jacob, of J & J Inshore Charters, reports that the flounder bite is still excellent throughout the area, with particularly good action in Tubbs Inlet. Live mud minnows and chartreuse soft plastic baits have been especially effective on the flatfish lately.
The Shallotte River has also been producing some solid numbers of flatfish, and a few trout have been falling for the artificials that anglers are casting for flounder in the vicinity as well.
Bob Newell with a 39.2 lb. dolphin that fell for a Black Bart Tuna Candy over a ballyhoo. He was trolling with Andrew Sanderson on the "Black Dog" near the 100/400.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that flounder fishing in the area is still excellent. Anglers are catching fish all over, but the most consistent action has been in Tubbs Inlet on the rising tides where anglers are hooking double-digit numbers on many days (most fish just under 15” on up to 2-3 lbs., but larger fish up to 9 lbs. have been landed recently). A variety of Gulp baits pinned to light jigheads have been producing most of the action, but live mud minnows are just about as effective. When fishing over sandy bottom areas, the striped tiger minnows seem to have had an edge over other baits.
Haley, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching decent numbers of sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp recently.
Bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and bottom rigs.
Some scattered flounder have also been coming over the rails.
Live-baiters landed a king mackerel last week.
