Ocean Isle November 14, 2013
Todd Helf with a 7 lb. triggerfish that bit a bucktail jig/soft plastic combo 40 miles off Little River Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Lee Morrow on the “Miss Calabash.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that bottom fishing has been solid in the 80-100’ depths lately. Anglers dropping baited bottom rigs to structure in that range are connecting with black sea bass, beeliners, grunts, amberjacks, and more. Squid and cut baits are fooling the bottom dwellers.
King mackerel have pushed offshore from the beachfront, but anglers should be able to find some feeding kings wherever they can find upper-60’s water temperatures and bait concentrations, especially around bottom structure. Live baits are top choices for the largest kings, but they can often be tough to come by in the cooler months. Dead cigar minnows can be nearly as effective, especially the further offshore anglers get. The king action often stays good for much of the winter at offshore spots like Frying Pan Tower as long as the water temperatures remain reasonably warm inside the break.
Not many boats have made the long run to the Gulf Stream recently, but wahoo were still biting at last report, and the bite may hold up for several weeks or longer. Trolling skirted ballyhoo is the best way to connect with the ‘hoos.
Sydney Sauls (age 7) with her first citation flounder, landed at some nearshore structure off Shallotte Inlet while she was fishing with her father, Capt. Brandon Sauls, and Clay Morphis. The big flatfish fell for a live menhaden.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the area’s speckled trout bite is just hitting its fall stride, and anglers put together some solid catches last weekend. All the usual trout spots along the ICW between Little River and Sunset Beach seem to be holding fish right now, with the docks and grass banks some of anglers’ best bets.
Live shrimp drifted under floats are producing most of the trout that anglers are hooking, but soft plastic baits and suspending hard lures will trick the trout as well.
The trout bite is just getting started around the Little River jetties, and anglers have caught some substantial fish (5+ lbs.), but the action isn’t in full swing yet.
Anglers can expect the specks to continue biting well for at least another month, as the fall action is just kicking off.
Red drum are still feeding in the backwaters of the local creeks and marshes, and they are beginning to school up as the water cools (in mixed sizes from 16-28”+). They’ll bite live shrimp, finger mullet, or a variety of soft and hard plastic artificials.
Capt. Mark Stacy, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, with a juvenile tarpon that bit a live shrimp under a float at the Little River jetties while he was fishing with Daniel Simmons.
There’s still some decent flounder action inshore as well, but the fish seem to be concentrated in specific spots. It may take some searching to find hungry flatfish right now, but once anglers do, the action should be steady. Live baits and scented soft lures like Gulps are attracting attention from the flatfish.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are starting to see some excellent speckled trout action around Ocean Isle. Docks and other spots along the ICW like the Calabash crossroads have been the most productive areas recently, and the lion’s share of the trout are falling for live shrimp under float rigs. Anglers who want to throw artificials can hook up on MirrOlures or soft baits like Billy Bay Halo shrimp fished under popping corks.
Red and black drum are feeding in potholes and around oyster rocks in the shallow creeks, with anglers’ best odds of finding them around lower tides. Live shrimp and finger mullet on jigheads or float rigs are the way to fool both drum.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that there was a solid run of spot last week, and anglers may see more of them before the season comes to a close. Some fat sea mullet have also been coming over the rails, and both panfish are falling for shrimp and bloodworms on bottom rigs.
Anglers soaking live baits on the bottom are catching some flounder (most small but some solid keepers).
