Ocean Isle September 2, 2010
Capt. Patrick Bryant, of Twister Charters, and Lindsay Gardner with a spanish mackerel that fell for a Clarkspoon just offshore of Holden Beach.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the grouper bite has slowed a bit, but anglers still hooked decent numbers around bottom structure in 95-100’ of water lately. Live pogies will attract bites from the grouper. Smaller bottomfish like beeliners, sea bass, grunts, and more are feeding in the same areas and falling for cut baits.
The spanish mackerel bite is still excellent along the beaches, where anglers can hook up while trolling Clarkspoons.
Large sharks are still making a strong showing just off the beaches, and they will attack cut baits.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still finding plenty of spanish mackerel along the beaches. Trolled Clarkspoons are fooling good numbers.
Larger spanish (to 5+ lbs.) are feeding around structure from the beach to offshore of the Jungle, and anglers are hooking them while trolling small live baits.
The king mackerel bite’s been slow, but a 40 lb. fish was caught just off the beach last week on a live bait, so the fish may be making a move towards shore.
Cory Nance with a 5 lb., 4 oz. speckled trout he hooked on a live pogie in Shallotte Inlet.
Bottom fishermen have had excellent luck with grouper and triggerfish around structure in approximately 100’ lately. Live baits will fool the groupers, and anglers can hook the triggers and other bottom feeders on squid and small cut baits.
The Gulf Stream seems to be turning on for fall, as anglers landed some fat dolphin and wahoo around the 100/400 last week. Trolled ballyhoo are fooling most of the blue water predators.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the red drum bite is still solid throughout the area. The best action last week came along grass lines in the local creeks, where anglers caught big numbers of 24-25” fish while drifting live shrimp beneath floats. A few speckled trout are falling victim to the shrimp as well.
Plenty of reds are also feeding around ICW docks and in the Shallotte River.
The Little River jetties are hosting a decent bite for larger reds (10-25 lbs.), and they’ll take an interest in live pogies or cut baits.
Kenny Dail, from Shallotte, NC, with a 31 lb. king mackerel caught while fishing with Intimidator Fishing Charters out of Capt. Pete's Seafood in Holden Beach.
The flounder bite has been solid as well in most of the typical spots (with fish to 7 lbs. landed last week). Tubbs and Shallotte Inlets, the Shallotte River, and ICW structure are all producing good action with the flatfish. Anglers are also hooking good numbers around the nearshore reefs in the oceans.
Sheepshead are feeding around deeper inshore structure in the area, particularly some of the docks around Shallotte Inlet. Live fiddler crabs will attract bites from the sheeps.
