Ocean Isle – October 8, 2015
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers were seeing plenty of action with large red drum at the Little River jetties before last weekend’s storm (most 30-36” with decent numbers over 40”). The weather has kept many boats from fishing in the inlet due to large swells and may have slowed the bite a bit, but anglers should see the fish turn back on as the water calms in the coming days. Drifting through the inlet with live or cut menhaden and mullet on the bottom is the best way to find and hook the big reds.
Anglers were also finding some fish shadowing menhaden pods out in the ocean before the blow, so any bait schools that anglers spot are worth checking out as well.
Inshore, a solid speckled trout bite was turning on before the storm, and with October one of the best trout months of the year, anglers are hoping it continues. The fish have been feeding along grass and shell banks in the marshes and ICW, where anglers drifting live shrimp underneath floats were finding plenty of action. The heavy rains the area saw may have run most of the shrimp out of the marshes and creeks for the year, but if so, anglers can cast other live baits or artificial lures to see if the trout are still feeding.
Flounder have been in many of the same areas as the specks and in the local inlets. Anglers are hooking them on live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet fished on the bottom.
Jeffrey Coffey with a 34″ red drum he caught and released after it bit a live mullet while he was fishing from the Sunset Beach shoreline.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the high winds and big rains over the past week have slowed the offshore action out of Brunswick County, but the worst of the weather is behind us and anglers should begin to be able to find some action in the wake of the storm. Nearshore, the water east of the Frying Pan Shoals gets less fresh water influence from the Cape Fear River than on the west side, so spots east of the shoals should begin to clear up and attract some king mackerel and other predators before the areas closer to home.
Anglers can also head offshore to the 60’+ depths in the hunt for clean water and, once they find it, begin looking for king mackerel. Live baits are the best bets for the larger kings, but anglers aren’t sure how available they’ll be in the wake of the weather. Dead cigar minnows will often get as many or more strikes than the live baits, especially at the spots furthest from shore.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers are catching some large red drum (to 40”+ citation fish) while fishing nearshore structure off Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Ocean Isle. Anglers may also be able to find the reds following schools of bait on the surface and cast near the schools to hook up. Live or fresh dead and cut menhaden and mullet are the baits of choice for the big drum.
Marshall, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers were hooking some spot and pompano before the wind and rain came over the weekend. The spot bite seemed to be picking up a bit as well, so anglers are hoping the storm didn’t affect it much. Shrimp and bloodworms are fooling both panfish.
