Ocean Isle May 31, 2012
Gus Lodgek with a wahoo that struck a skirted ballyhoo in the Gulf Stream off Ocean Isle Beach while attending Capt. Brant's Gulf Stream School.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that bluefish have inundated the local waters. Anglers are catching a variety of sizes of the fish (1-12 lbs.) from the beachfront on out to bottom structure in the 60-70’ range. The bad news is that the blues are so hungry they’ve been making it tough for other fish to get to the baits lately, whether anglers are live-baiting for king mackerel, trolling spoons for spanish, or bottom fishing.
Some scattered cobia have been feeding at spots in the 40-60’ depth range off Ocean Isle, and boats are hooking them while slow-trolling live baits. They’re very curious and will often swim up to boats, so anglers should be prepared with a live bait or large bucktail to cast to fish that appear around the boat.
King mackerel fishing has been a bit slow lately, but the cobia have been in many of the spots where anglers are looking for kings.
Dolphin are still feeding in the Gulf Stream at spots like the Steeples, Blackjack Hole, and 100/400, but the bite’s been a bit slower than in recent weeks. Skirted ballyhoo are top choices for the ‘phins.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder bite is still going strong in Tubbs Inlet. It slowed down a bit following the rain last week, but the fishing’s back on track. The fish are falling for a variety of baits, with live mud minnows, menhaden, and Gulp baits all producing good results recently. Larger live baits will attract bites from the larger fish and reduce the number of throwbacks that anglers will have to weed though to get to the keepers.
Red drum are feeding under docks off the ICW, where live and cut menhaden or chunks of crab will tempt them to bite.
Bill Gay, of Lumberton, NC, with a 15.25 lb. bluefish that bit a finger mullet in the ICW near Holden Beach.
Some speckled trout are showing up in and off the ICW along grass banks, oyster points, and other current breaks. Live shrimp are top choices for the specks, and they are beginning to be numerous enough to cast-net in the area marshes. Billy Bay and D.O.A. shrimp imitations fished solo or in tandem with a popping cork are excellent second choices for the specks.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers have been catching some sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp. Some flounder and drum are falling for shrimp and small live baits under the pier.
Sheepshead are feeding around the pier’s pilings and will bite barnacle and sand flea baits.
