Ocean Isle September 11, 2008
Scotty Clontz, from Fairview, NC, and Colby Lemmond with a sailfish caught and released near the Horseshoe on a pink-skirted cigar minnow. They were fishing with Brian Baker on the "Whompachomp."
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the Gulf Stream trolling bite has been a little slower over the past week, but some solid grouper action in around 150′ has been making trips out to the deep water worthwhile. Big red grouper and some gags are feeding around structure in that range, and they will fall for a variety of baits. Live baits are top choices for the larger grouper.
The king mackerel bite was good around the Horseshoe before the storm last weekend, and the fish should be turning back on again soon. Live baits, such as pogies or cigar minnows, are excellent choices for the kings.
Some big spanish mackerel (up to 5+ lbs.) have been feeding at Yaupon Reef. Live pogies are fooling the big spanish as well.
There have been plenty of pogies along the beaches and fall is just around the corner, so the beach and nearshore king mackerel bite should be getting fired up very soon.Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the speckled trout bite was pretty good around bridges and other structure in the ICW last week, and the fish will soon be moving into their fall spots in the rivers (when the fishing will get even better). Live shrimp underneath a float are fooling most of the trout.
Anglers hooked good numbers of red drum in the ICW last week, too, mostly around shell beds and other structure between Ocean Isle and Little River. Live shrimp are getting attention from the drum as well.
Anglers have already caught some big reds (30-40+”) around the Little River jetties, and the bite will only get better over the coming weeks as the water temperatures drop a bit and the area’s mullet start moving through the inlet towards the ocean.
A few big spanish mackerel should still be feeding around Little River Inlet as well.
The flounder bite inshore should begin taking off as the water begins to cool in the coming weeks.
Lelia Tighe with her first king mackerel. It was caught on a live pogy while slow trolling near Yaupon Reef with Chris Keel aboard the "Shortfinn."
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that the king mackerel bite was good last week around 30 miles offshore, where live baiters hooked some dolphin as well. Boats also found king action around the Cabbage Patch and 30/30 east of the shoals, and a few fish at Yaupon Reef as well.
Inshore, flounder are moving from the inlets into the creeks as the water cools off, and anglers will see the flounder bite get even better soon. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs will draw strikes from the flatfish.
Will, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing with shrimp are hooking up with some whiting, gray trout, and sharks.
