Ocean Isle – September 1, 2016
Brody, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that inshore the flounder bite has been steady, with flatfish in the 18-22” range falling for live bait on Carolina rigs.
Overslot red drum are moving into area waters, and they are mostly holding around the jetties. Live mullet and pogies are the go-to bait for the big reds. There are also a decent number of trout around the inlet and in the backwaters, and a popping cork with live bait is the best way to target the specks.
Flounder are hugging nearshore reef structure, and the larger fish are falling for live mullet or peanut pogies on a Carolina rig. Tipping a 1-2 oz. bucktail with live bait has produced the best bites.
The spanish mackerel action has been picking up along the beaches, and anglers that are trolling Clarkspoons have connected with the most around Lockwood Folly Inlet. The bigger, citation spanish are scattered, and when they are located they will bite best on live bait on a light line (such as mullet and pogies).
Boats going 15-20 miles out will find king mackerel action. Though most of the kings are still small, there are larger fish mixed in. Live bait is working best for the kings, but dead cigar minnows will work fine, too.
Anglers can expect the occasional cobia in the same range, mostly around live bottom areas. Those looking for both larger kings and cobia should target fish in a depth of 80-100’, and you might also encounter sailfish (that have moved into the 25-40 mile range).
The bottom fishing has been steady, with anglers hooking grouper, a variety of snapper, and black sea bass.
Wahoo and the occasional mahi has been caught in 100-120’ of water.
The Gulf Stream has held a steady wahoo bite around the Steeples and Blackjack, with small blackfin tuna mixed in. The occasional gaffer mahi and large king have also been landed.
Mac Corbin (age 16), of Charlotte, with a 5.10 lb. citation flounder caught off a sandbar in Tubbs Inlet. The fish fell for a finger mullet on a Carolina rig at low tide.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers are connecting with black drum, whiting, and pompano in the surf. The pompano have some size to them, with a 4.5 lb. fish weighed in this past week. Anglers should use shrimp and bloodworms when targeting fish in the suds.
The creeks, rivers, and backwaters are holding flounder, speckled trout, and reds. The flounder and speckled trout are small, but legal sized fish are definitely in the mix. Anglers catching reds can expect mostly undersized “rat” reds. Live bait, such as mullet or mud minnows, is the go-to bait for the backwaters.
Logan Lexa (age 8), of Raleigh, with a speckled trout caught using a live mullet in the ICW around Holden Beach.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite has been decent both inshore and nearshore. Mullet is the bait of choice for the flatfish, and it should be fished on a Carolina rig.
A few trout have been around as well. They are mostly scattered inside area creeks, but anglers can also find a decent bite around the jetty. Live shrimp on a cork or mullet fished on bottom will tempt bites. The fish are mostly keeper sized, and a few unseasonably large gator trout in the 7 lb. range have recently been reported.
There aren’t a lot of redfish in the area, so anglers will have to search hard for them back in the creeks. Expect the reds to be primarily smaller, which is typical for the early fall season. The jetties are holding upper and overslot fish, though, and anglers can connect with them drifting live pogies or mullet on the bottom.
The spanish bite has cranked up off the beach, and anglers are catching 5-7 lb. fish on live mullet. Look for the fish around the inlet out to 40’ of water.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the bait fish have started to show up, and citation sized spanish mackerel have been found on nearshore reefs. Fishing live mullet is the way to connect with the big spanish.
Large flounder are also hanging out near the reefs, as well as sharks (such as bonnet and hammerheads).
Jim, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with spanish mackerel and bluefish off the pier. Dropping down a bottom rig has resulted in hooking speckled trout, whiting, and flounder.
The water temperature is 85 degrees.
