Ocean Isle October 13, 2011
Kyle Warren, of Ocean Isle Beach, with an 8.9 lb. flounder that bit a large finger mullet in 2' of water near Southport Marina.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite has been scattered lately. A period of stable weather should get the action back to what anglers are used to seeing at this time of year. Live baits like menhaden, mullet, and bluefish are the way to go for anglers seeking the kings.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and false albacore are feeding on glass minnow schools in 20-30’ of water off the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting small metal jigs around the surface activity is the way to hook up with all three.
Some large red drum are feeding on schools of menhaden off the beaches, and dropping a live bait through the school will often produce a hookup. Dolphins feeding in the area further increase anglers’ odds of connecting with the reds as they push the schools down and injure menhaden that the reds feed on.
Bottom fishing around structure in 70-90’ of water has been producing some good gag grouper action. Live baits are the way to go to tempt bites from the larger grouper.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the big red drum bite at the Little River jetties has been hot one day, and then dead the next. Live menhaden and mullet are the way to tempt the reds to bite if they’re in a feeding mood.
Inshore, there’s been some solid action around oyster bars in the local creeks, particularly at lower tides. Red drum, black drum, flounder, and speckled trout are all feeding in the creeks, where live finger mullet and shrimp on light jigheads will tempt bites from all three.
There are still good numbers of red drum feeding around ICW docks as well, and they’ll also take an interest in live baits.
Jacob, of J&J Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still catching a few big red drum (35-45”) around the Little River jetties on live menhaden and mullet.
Smaller reds (16-25”) are feeding near bridge and dock pilings in the ICW and in deeper holes in the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly rivers. Live shrimp have been top choices for the reds lately.
Flounder fishing has been solid in the backwaters and at the nearshore reefs recently. Live finger mullet have been the go-to baits inshore and offshore.
Some gray trout are also feeding at the nearshore structure.
Jason Jackson, of Charlotte, with a large black drum he hooked in the Holden Beach surf while pompano fishing with cut shrimp on a light baitcasting rod.
April, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers have seen some excellent spot runs over the past week. Live and artificial bloodworms have been producing most of the action.
A few bluefish and flounder are also coming over the rails.
