Ocean Isle May 9, 2013
J.A. Fischer, of Kannapoils, NC, with a 4.5 lb. flounder that bit a firetail D.O.A. Shrimp he was casting off his dock on the Holden Beach ICW.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that May is the best month of the year for Gulf Stream trolling, and anglers can look forward to action with wahoo, blackfin tuna, and the year’s first dolphin when making the run to blue water over the coming weeks.
The dolphin catches were strong in the Bahamas early this spring, hopefully a sign that the run off NC will be a solid one this summer.
Boats a bit to the north have also encountered relatively good numbers of yellowfin tuna this spring, and it could be the year they return to feed within range of local boats.
Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are the best bets for all the Gulf Stream predators.
Closer to shore, menhaden have shown up along the Brunswick County beaches, and bluefish are already feeding on them and hanging around the inlet mouths. The water’s still a bit cool for the arrival of spanish mackerel, but it won’t be long until they show up in numbers. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers or casting metal jigs to fish feeding on the surface is the way to connect with the spaniards.
Tim Gallimore with an early-season flounder that bit a live mud minnow at an ICW dock near Ocean Isle.
Once the spanish arrive, anglers can expect to see king mackerel and cobia hot on their heels. A live menhaden is tough for the kings and cobia to turn down.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are hooking up with red and black drum around inshore structure like docks between Ocean Isle and Little River. Live shrimp, fresh cut shrimp, and chunks of crabs are all tempting bites from both drum species.
More reds (and some larger ones) are feeding around the Little River jetties and will pounce on live mud minnows or shrimp. There should also be some large speckled trout looking for meals around the rocks, and May is the best month of the year for a truly large speck. Live shrimp are far and away the best baits for anglers with trout on their minds.
Flounder are beginning to show up in Tubbs Inlet and the Cherry Grove marshes, but the majority are on the small side right now. More keepers should be in the mix as the water continues to warm. Live baits like mud minnows are the way to go for the flatfish.
Mike Halstead with a puppy drum and a speckled trout that bit live shrimp near an Ocean Isle dock while he was fishing with Capt. Kyle Hughes of Speckulator Charters.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that red and black drum are still making up the majority of the action in the area. Both are feeding in deeper holes and around oyster bars in the creeks at the lower tidal stages right now. They’re keyed in on crabs, so chunks of blue crab are the way to go for both.
The reds are also feeding in flooded grass at higher tides, but anglers need shallow-draft flats skiffs to access the grass flats.
Flounder are showing up in Tubbs Inlet and Cherry Grove, but the dirty water has made hooking them a bit tough lately. Many are still on the small side, but a few keepers are in the mix. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs offer anglers the best odds of connecting with the flatfish.
A few speckled trout are still around the creeks and canals, too, but the dirty water has also made the trout bite tough.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp.
Bluefish are feeding around the pier and taking an interest in Gotcha plugs.
