Ocean Isle – October 13, 2016
Brody, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore the big reds were hanging out around the jetties, and flounder was the predominant inshore bite. Live mullet or peanut pogies on Carolina rigs worked for both species. The water should be back to fishing conditions after the storm for these areas in another 1-2 weeks.
The kings and spanish were biting off the beaches (specifically Ocean Crest Pier), as bait was all over the place between 7-10’ off the beach. Slow troll live or dead pogies to connect with the kings in this area.
The big red drum were also right off the beaches around bait pods. Soak a live menhaden on the bottom to hook one of these citation-sized fish.
Three miles out around nearshore reefs and structure, anglers were connecting with flounder in the 4 lb. range. Use bucktails tipped with pogies or Carolina rigs with finger mullet to lure bites from the flatfish.
Anglers fishing 10-15 miles off the beach, near the 65’ Hole, reported that the king mackerel bite was hot. Some anglers reported as many as 10 keepers per trip and fish up to 25 lbs. Check the usual spots, too, like the Jungle and 70’ Hole, which were also producing fish.
Boats heading 30-40 miles out are still connecting with stray cobia and enjoying a strong king bite. The water in this area should clear up faster in the days following the storm.
The bottom fishing in the same area has proven successful, with black sea bass, grouper, and grunts reported.
The wahoo bite in the Gulf Stream is really improving, and those hoping for the quickest hook-up post-Matthew should head to these waters. Troll ballyhoo or high speed troll artificals when weather permits. Red/black and purple/black Ilanders are the go-to colors, and anglers should work between planers and surface trolling to find the pelagic fish. In lieu of planers, anglers can also use wahoo bombs on surface lures to get them down to 6-7’ when the wahoo aren’t taking the bait higher in the water column.
Rik Newsom, of Pfafftown, with a 39” red drum caught on a live pogie off Ocean Isle Beach. He was fishing with Capt. Dale Hall.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the red drum bite was hot off the beach, with single boats reporting over 50 citation-sized red drum in a day. Live pogies are the go-to bait when fishing for the 30-40 lb. fish.
A few flounder have been caught in the past week, many weighing between 4-5 lbs., and anglers should use a Carolina rig with live mullet.
Kings were being found three miles and out before the storm, with plenty of spanish mixed in as well.
Carter Watts (age 11), of Whiteville, with an over-slot red drum caught on a live finger mullet around Sunset Beach.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the fishing for big drum has been great, and anglers should look for the fish around bait pods and target them with pogies on a Carolina rig.
Flounder can be found inshore, and using live bait on a Carolina rig is the best way to target the flatfish in places like the ICW, Tubbs Inlet, and Little River Inlet.
The trout bite is slow, but it should kick off soon with the cooling temperatures, along with the puppy and black drum bite as well.
The spanish are chewing off the beach, and the king mackerel bite was on fire a mile off the beach prior to the storm.
The aftermath of Hurricane Matthew may impact the drum fishing, but it’s too early to tell. The backwater should start producing again, too, in a few weeks. The tidal rivers will be filtering down some fresh water, but we will have to wait for the fresh water to flush out before the bite will become strong again.
Landon Whitacre (age 8), and dad Kirk Whitacre, of West Virginia, with a red drum caught on a mullet in the surf at Holden Beach.
Ocean Isle Beach Pier sustained some damage and will need repair before it can reopen to the public.
