Ocean Isle – October 27, 2016
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore the flounder bite is heating up, with the fish getting larger and taking live bait like mud minnows. Several large doormats have been reported, and anglers should look for them in the ICW, creeks, and along docks.
The big red drum bite has picked back up after the storm, and it’s good right along the beach in 10-15’ of water. Look for schools of menhaden to locate the fish. Anchoring and chumming around Yaupon or Caudle reefs, and fishing live or dead menhaden, has also proven productive.
The big kings can be found along the beaches as well, and anglers should look for them in 20-40’ water depths along the shore.
Large grouper, mostly gags, are being hooked offshore in 65-80’ of water.
Anglers in the Gulf Stream have reported a decent wahoo bite.
Leo Derrick and Scott Halso, of Asheboro, with two bull reds that were landed near Holden Beach. The duo was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that anglers are still connecting with the red drum and big bluefish off the beaches and around the inlets. Those targeting the reds should use menhaden, and spoons and plugs are working on the bluefish.
There’s not much going on in the backwater, as most of the reports of the flounder and black drum are coming from the piers. The inshore bite remains scattered and not yet consistent. The water should start to clear soon, and the bite is expected to pick back up.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the bull reds have shown back up, and anglers have been steadily picking at them. The cool nights ahead in the next few weeks might push them south, but anglers should hopefully enjoy a few more weeks of the big fish. Target them using live menhaden on large Carolina rigs, and look for the fish around bait pods off the beach and inlets.
False albacore are mixed in the bait pods off the beach as well, and casting diamond jigs to them will provide anglers lots of action.
The spanish and king bite hasn’t come back yet after the storm, although a few smaller kings have been reported.
Trout fishing kicked off strong last week, with fish being found around the typical spots in backwaters and creeks. The fish have been a mixed bag, but a lot of them have been large fish. Anglers should use live shrimp, but when live shrimp aren’t available, artificials are working great. Use swim baits or shrimp imitations to tempt bites, which will also work on small red drum that might be in the same area.
There’s a good number of black drum around inshore structure and hanging around spots in the creeks with oyster bars. Soak shrimp on the bottom to connect with these fish.
The flounder bite has slacked off since the hurricane, although a few small flatfish have been reported.
Ronda Hoffman, of Supply, with a 46” red drum caught in the surf off Holden Beach.
Jim, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers dropping bottom rigs down with shrimp are connecting with black drum, pufferfish, bluefish, and whiting.
Cade Lexa (age 10), of Raleigh, with a redfish caught in the surf at Holden Beach. The fish bit cut mullet.
