Ocean Isle October 26, 2006
Brant, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the good fishing has been happening for king mackerel and grouper. The kings are biting well in the 50 to 65 foot depths. Try working the bait pods of cigar minnows and sardines. And there are also still a few big fish being caught along the beach (with all the bluefish around for them to snack on).
The pogies continue to hang around along the beach; however, they are scattered and harder to catch now.
Grouper fishing has moved closer to shore in the 50 to 80 foot areas, and it has been very good.
The gulf stream has been fair, with catches of wahoo and the occasional sailfish.
Stan, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the speckled trout bite has turned on in the area. There have been 2 to 5 pound fish biting in the area inlets and adjacent creeks (such as Shallotte Inlet). There have also been good numbers of trout in the waterway on shell banks and docks.
Your usual trout lures like Mirrolures, shrimp imitations, or live bait will trigger a strike.
Redfish have been reported around the inlets and surf.
The flounder continue to bite well on the nearshore artificial reefs, with most fish caught being well over keeper size. They will hit live mullet or menhaden.
Pamela, at Ocean Isle Pier, reports that the spots are running well. Sometimes they prefer artificial bloodworms to natural ones; other times it’s the opposite.
Shrimp on bottom rigs are producing nice-sized pompano, black drum, and whiting.
Flounder up to 22 inches have been biting live mud minnows well for the past few weeks.
Some anglers are catching sheepshead, but you have to be fishing specifically for them.
Plug casters have had good luck with bluefish but not with spanish mackerel.
