Ocean Isle October 10, 2013
Jon Faussett with a 7 lb., 14 oz. flounder that bit a live finger mullet in the Lockwood Folly River near Varnamtown while he was fishing with Pete Enis.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boaters who’ve made the run to the Gulf Stream lately are reporting an excellent wahoo bite along the break at local hotspots like the Blackjack Hole and 100/400. The best action has been in 160-190’ of water recently, and ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are fooling the majority of the fish.
Closer to shore, anglers are finding action with king mackerel at spots from just off the beach in 30’ of water out to offshore structure in the 80-100’ depths. Live baits like menhaden are top choices for the kings, and the menhaden have been plentiful along the beachfront for anglers looking for bait. When it’s tough to find the live ones, dead cigar minnows will also fool the kings, particularly offshore.
Bottom fishermen are finding scattered action with gag grouper around bottom structure in 70-90’ of water. Live baits are the best bet for those seeking the gags.
Spanish mackerel are feeding along the beachfront, where anglers can tempt them to bite trolled Clarkspoons or other flashy lures.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that fall fishing is here and anglers seem to be catching a bit of everything these days. The large red drum bite around the Little River jetties is still going, but it can be inconsistent day-to-day. Drift-fishing with live menhaden or finger mullet has been producing the best results on the big reds (most 30-40+”).
Smaller reds (18-22”) are feeding along the rock jetties and biting live shrimp on float rigs.
Anglers are also picking up some speckled trout in a variety of sizes while floating shrimp and casting artificials around the jetties and inshore along grass banks and oyster bars.
Flounder are feeding in Tubbs Inlet and around the nearshore wrecks and reefs. Live finger mullet are fooling the flatfish right now.
Cade Auman (age 7), of Seagrove, NC, with a 24″ red drum that bit cut mullet in the Holden Beach surf.
Spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlets, and the bite has been excellent recently due to the clean water in the area. Anglers can free-line live mullet or cast metal jigs and topwater plugs around surface activity to connect with the spaniards.
As fall progresses, the big drum bite will taper off, but anglers can expect excellent fishing for smaller reds and specks in the creeks. The flounder fishing should also get even better inshore.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are seeing some good flounder action in the area (and some large 5-8 lb. fish), with some of the best recent fishing in Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte Inlet, Shallotte River, and off the ICW.
Red drum are feeding in the creeks and other shallows. Targeting oyster rocks and potholes at lower tidal stages and flooded grass flats when the water’s up is the way to connect with the reds. Live finger mullet are tempting most of the bites and are all over the area right now.
The large red drum bite around the Little River jetties is still going as well. Rising tides are producing the best bite on many days, but anglers are hooking some on the fall as well. Menhaden have been outproducing mullet with the big reds lately.
Trey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching good numbers of sheepshead while dangling sand fleas near the pier pilings.
Some spot, sea mullet, and pompano are falling for bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms. A few black drum are mixed in as well.
Anglers fishing small live baits on the bottom are connecting with decent numbers of flounder.
Plug casters are hooking bluefish and a few spanish mackerel while working Gotchas.
