Ocean Isle September 12, 2013
Steven Pantelakos and David Courie with a 42 lb. dolphin that bit a blue/white skirted ballyhoo near the Blackjack Hole while they were trolling out of Holden Beach with Stephen Fasul on the “Sea Assault.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that boaters making the run to the break are finding pretty solid wahoo action at local spots like the Steeples and Blackjack Hole. The best action has been in 150-200’ recently, and anglers are also hooking some blackfin tuna in the same spots. Any floating debris that boats come across in the ‘Stream is likely to be hosting a school of small dolphin as well. Ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures are producing most of the action in the blue water.
Bottom fishing in 110-150’ of water is producing fast action with beeliners and a few scamp and gag grouper. Squid and cut baits will tempt bites from the beeliners, while live baits are the best bet for the grouper.
King mackerel are scattered throughout the area (with recent catches from 50-150’ of water) but not too concentrated in any particular spot. Live menhaden are the best bets for the kings, but anglers can also hook up while trolling dead cigar minnows.
Some large spanish mackerel (4-7+ lbs.) are feeding at spots in 50-65’ of water, and they will pounce on smaller live menhaden or finger mullet. Dead cigar minnows will fool the spaniards as well, but live baits are generally a better bet.
Smaller spanish are feeding along the beachfront in good numbers, and anglers trolling Clarkspoons found plenty of action in 20-30’ of water last week.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding action with red drum in the marshes between Sunset Beach and Little River. Lower tidal stages have been producing the best bite (with 20-30” fish), and anglers are hooking them on live finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp on Carolina rigs.
Higher tides are producing some opportunities at speckled trout and more reds along flooded grass and shell banks. Drifting live shrimp under floats is the best bet along the banks.
Bob Dialoiso, of Charlotte, NC, with a tripletail that bit a live bait near Southport while she was fishing with Capt. Greer Hughes of Cool Runnings Charters.
Flounder fishing has improved a bit inshore, with increasing numbers of keepers in spots like Tubbs Inlet and the Ocean Isle canals. Live finger mullet are fooling most of the flatfish.
The nearshore flounder bite isn’t quite as good as it had been, but anglers are still hooking some fish at spots like the Jim Caudle Reef. Finger mullet or menhaden on heavier Carolina rigs are the way to go out in the ocean.
Drifting through Little River Inlet is producing action with some larger red drum (most 8-12 lbs. but some 20+ lbs.). Live mullet and menhaden are fooling the reds in the inlet, and the bite should only get better as the water starts to cool.
A few gray trout are biting anglers’ baits in the inlet and at nearshore structure as well.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the offshore flounder bite has slowed down a bit, but anglers are still pulling some fat flatfish off the Jim Caudle Reef and other structure within a few miles of the inlets.
Anglers are also hooking some flounder in Little River Inlet, along with good numbers of red drum (most 25-32”). Drifting through the inlet with live finger mullet or menhaden is fooling the flounder and reds.
Red drum are also still looking for meals in the creeks (most a bit smaller than the inlet fish). Live mullet and shrimp fished under floats or on jigheads will fool the fish in the creeks.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some spot and sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some flounder are falling for small live baits under the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
