Ocean Isle September 29, 2011
Caroline and Capt. Brant McMullan, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, with a sailfish that bit a live menhaden in 100' of water off Shallotte Inlet.
Brant, ofOceanIsleFishingCenter, reports that anglers are finding spanish mackerel from the beaches on out to spots in 50-60’ of water. Plenty of smaller spanish are falling for Clarkspoons that anglers are trolling just off the beaches.
Larger spanish and false albacore are feeding on schools of glass minnows in 40-60’, and anglers are hooking them on small live baits, dead cigar minnows, and casting lures.
Some king mackerel are in the same vicinity, and live baits like menhaden will tempt them to bite. The 90/90’s, Yaupon Reef, and Cherry Grove areas have all hosted some king action lately.
There have been plenty of menhaden along the beaches for anglers looking for king baits.
Smaller king mackerel, wahoo, and some sailfish are feeding in around 100’ of water, and live baits will tempt bites from all three.
Bottom fishermen are reporting some solid gag grouper action at structure in around 80’ of water. Live baits like menhaden are the way to go for the gags.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers found action with wahoo (30-40 lbs.) and king mackerel (to 20-25 lbs.) while slow-trolling live menhaden in 120’ last week.
Gag and scamp grouper are feeding around bottom structure in the same depth range and are also eagerly attacking live menhaden. Black sea bass, triggerfish, beeliners, and other bottom feeders are in the same areas and will bite cut baits or squid.
Anglers also found some gag and king action at spots in around 80’ last week.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still feeding just off the beaches, and trolled Clarkspoons will tempt them to bite.
With the cooling water temperatures, anglers should see a king mackerel bite develop along the beaches in the coming days.
Jason Bryan and Martin McLeod (angler) with a wahoo that attacked a yellow-skirted ballyhoo at the Steeples while fishing out of Holden Beach on the "Big Time Baby."
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that anglers are starting to catch some large (20-30+ lbs.) red drum around the Little River jetties and the nearshore wrecks and reefs.
Plenty of smaller (6-10 lbs.) reds are feeding in the inlet as well, and drifting through the inlet with live mullet or menhaden is producing plenty of action with the smaller fish and an occasional hookup with the big ones.
Red drum and flounder are also feeding in the creeks inshore, where smaller live and cut baits are hard for them to pass up.
Docks off the ICW and around Shallotte Inlet are also hosting a red drum bite (most fish 24-30”), and anglers can hook good numbers on cut mullet fished under the structure.
Jennifer, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some pompano, sea mullet, and spot on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
