Ocean Isle October 9, 2008
Jessica Griggs, of Hartsville, SC, with a citation red drum caught on a live mullet drifted in Little River Inlet. She was fishing with Capt. Kyle Hughes, of Speckulator Charters out of Ocean Isle Fishing Center.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite is on fire, with anglers finding fish from the inlet sea buoys to well offshore (with many fish in the 20-40 lb. class landed last week). Nearshore hotspots for the kings include Yaupon Reef, Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Inlets, and the Cape Fear River channel.
Live baits like mullet, pogies, and bluefish are top choices for the kings, and all have been plentiful near the inlets.
Bottom fishing should be solid right now as well, though most boats are focused on the plentiful king mackerel. Ledges and other structure in 80-100+’ are top places to target grouper, snapper, and other bottomfish, and anglers should begin to see some gag grouper feeding closer to shore in 60-80′ as the water temperature drops. Live baits are tops for the biggest grouper, and squid will produce action with the other botttomfish.Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the big red drum bite is on at Little River Inlet (the smaller fish are running 30+”, and anglers are hooking a decent number over 40″). Drifting the inlet with live pogies has been the most productive technique for the reds, and it’s also producing some action with flounder. Anglers should beef up their tackle (using at least 20-30 lb. braid) when fishing for the big reds, as it enables them to land the fish faster and ensure they’re healthy when released.
There are still spanish mackerel feeding around Little River Inlet as well, although the recent rains have reduced the water quality and slowed the fishing a bit.
Flounder fishing has been solid lately, with anglers landing good numbers of fish in Shallotte, Lockwood Folly, and Tubbs Inlets. Finger mullet on Carolina rigs are top choices for the flatfish.
Speckled trout are feeding at traditional fall hotspots off the ICW and in the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Rivers, with some puppy drum mixed in. There are huge numbers of shrimp in the rivers and creeks, and live shrimp fished under a float are the top baits for the specks.
Nick Ryder caught this 42 lb., 54" king mackerel fishing at the Jungle on "The Shark" with Capt. Kevin Walter.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the king mackerel action has been excellent from the beaches to spots further offshore like the 90/90. Live pogies are producing action with the kings (many 15-25 lbs. with a few to 30+ lbs. mixed in).
Brandon Matthews, from Southport, with a flounder caught on live bait during the Douglas Cutting bachelor party. He's pictured with Douglas Cutting (left) and Greer Hughes.
Corey, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been slow during the days, but anglers are picking up a few spot and whiting at night. Bloodworms and shrimp are both getting the fish to bite.
One king was landed last week.
