Ocean Isle November 13, 2008
William Parker, Michael Coleman, Buck Jenkins, and Robert Coleman with a limit of gag grouper they caught while attending Capt. Brant’s Grouper Fishing School out of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center. They caught the fish in 65-75’ of water on live pinfish while fishing with Capt. Brant McMullan aboard the “Carolina Cat.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boats are still catching some wahoo in the Gulf Stream, though the action hasn’t been spectacular. Ballyhoo beneath skirted lures are top baits for the wahoo and other Gulf Stream predators.
Gag grouper fishing has been solid lately at ledges and other structure in 75-90′ of water. Live baits like pinfish, pogies, and others are the best way to hook up with the larger grouper.
Schools of beeliners (vermillion snapper) are holding on the same structure, and bottom rigs baited with squid will entice them to bite.
Some big black sea bass are schooled up on structure out in 110′ or so, and they’ll be moving closer to shore as the water cools down, feeding within a few miles of land over the winter.
The king mackerel bite has pushed offshore to the 80-90′ depths. While there are plenty of school fish around the area, boats are finding some in the 20-30 lb. class as well. Cigar minnows will draw plenty of bites from the smaller kings, but boats have been successfully targeting the larger fish lately by trolling live bluefish. The bluefish can easily be jigged up on nearshore structure.
Everette Hannah (age 83), with a 7 lb. 7 oz. black drum that fell for cut shrimp while he was fishing from Ocean Isle Pier.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that puppy drum and speckled trout fishing has been excellent over the past few weeks, and it should remain good for a while if last winter is any indication.
The pups are feeding around structure off the ICW (like docks, bridges, and oyster rocks) and in the Shallotte River. There have also been big numbers of fish around the Little River jetties. Most of the inshore reds are running 16-18″ with a few larger 20-25″ fish in the mix.
The trout are still holding in the rivers and creeks for the most part, and they should push out to the ICW as the water cools down. The Lockwood and Shallotte Rivers and Shallotte Inlet have produced especially good trout fishing lately.
Both the trout and reds are falling for live shrimp fished on float rigs. Shrimp-imitating lures and MirrOlures will also produce some action.
Capt. Marty Wright, from Oak Island, with a 24.5 lb. red grouper caught aboard Capt. Carl Bullock’s “Hot Rod.” They were fishing 45 miles offshore of Lockwood Folly.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the king bite has been good lately around the Atlantic Ledge and other structure in the 20-30 mile area. Dead cigar minnows trolled deep behind a planer are producing most of the king bites.
Gag grouper are feeding at structure in 60-80′ of water. Live baits like pinfish are the top baits for the gags, though they’ve moved out the inlets and offshore. There have been plenty of the pins holding on the wrecks around 7 miles off the beach.
Inshore, the speckled trout bite has started, but it hasn’t gotten really hot yet. There are some big numbers of smaller puppy drum feeding in the creeks and backwaters to provide some action for the inshore angler.
Corey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that the spot bite’s been good lately, particularly for anglers fishing with bloodworms or red worm.
A few black drum are coming over the rails as well.
The water is 64 degrees.
