Ocean Isle October 27, 2005
Capt. Brant McMullen, at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports king mackerel fishing has been going well with good bites going on at the end of the Cape Fear shipping channel. The king bite is also in 50 to 65 foot of water off the southern beaches in spots like the Jungle and 390/390.
Pogies are still hanging along the beach for bait, but dead cigar minnows have worked just as well when fishing further offshore.
Gulf stream action has been fair for wahoo up to 40 lbs. Sailfish are plentiful, with one trip getting a triple-header. Scattered weeds are making stream trips difficult, though.
The best fishing lately has been the grouper bite. They are holding in 75 to 120 foot of water, and most fish coming to the docks this time of year are gags, which have a 24 inch minimum and only two per person can be kept.
Capt. Stan Guganus, of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that redfish are the main action inside. Hit the docks and deep drop-offs with Berkley Gulps and/or live mullet minnows. The reds are running 20 to 30 inches, and go on the low tide.
Other than reds, the speckled trout are getting started. Fish are in the 1-3 pound range. For best results, use a live shrimp under a cork.
Will, at Ocean Isle Pier, reports bottom fishing anglers have caught pompano, whiting, and a few spots. Those flounder fishing with live baits have done fairly well, and a couple of nice sized gray trout were caught recently as well.
Hunter, at the Rod and Reel Shop, reports good kingfishing over the weekend, with most fish coming from within two miles of the beach. The nearshore reefs within 5 miles are holding sea bass, gray trout, and overslot red drum.
Redfish are also running the surf with the whiting and spots.
