Ocean Isle September 16, 2010
Trent Park and Capt. Steele Park with a 61 lb. wahoo that fell for a live pogie in 75' of water and was landed after an hourlong battle on live bait tackle. The pair were fishing out of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center aboard the "OIFC Carolina Cat."
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers are still finding fast action with spanish mackerel along the Brunswick County beachfronts. Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 planers and trolling weights is the most effective way to fool the spaniards.
Offshore, bottom fishing in 80-100’ of water southwest of Frying Pan Tower is producing plenty of action with triggerfish, sea bass, grouper, and a variety of other bottom feeders. Cigar minnows are fooling the grouper, while the smaller bottomfish are biting squid and smaller cut baits.
Plenty of amberjacks are in the same areas, but it’s been difficult to find pogies lately to target them.
Light-lining while bottom fishing is producing some action with dolphin (most around 10 lbs.).
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite is still excellent along the beaches. Most anglers are hooking up with the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons.
Offshore, king mackerel have been scarce, but anglers are catching an unusual number of dolphin (most 10-20 lbs.) for this late in the year at typical king mackerel spots in 60-80’ of water.
The beeliner bite has been excellent for boats fishing around bottom structure in 100-150’ of water. Squid and cut baits are fooling the lion’s share of the bees.
Grouper fishermen are finding some action in 65-80’ of water, but many of the fish are on the short side.
Taylor Mustian (age 9), from Greensboro, NC, with a 27" red drum she hooked on a live finger mullet near Southport.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the area’s flounder bite has been solid lately. Anglers are hooking up with the flatfish all over the area, from the canals and docks at Ocean Isle, to Tubbs and Shallotte Inlets, and at nearshore structure in the ocean. Most of the fish are falling for live finger mullet on Carolina rigs.
Anglers are also picking up good numbers of red drum. The fish are feeding along ICW docks, in flooded grass at higher tides and the creeks at lower tides, and at the Little River jetties. Interestingly, the sizes of the fish varies from day-to-day, with anglers finding all over-slot fish in a spot one day, and much smaller fish the next. Live finger mullet are producing most of the action with the reds.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are picking up good numbers of flounder while fishing small live baits next to the pilings.
Some big spanish mackerel are falling for live finger mullet free-lined from the pier.
Bottom fishermen are catching some spot on shrimp.
