Ocean Isle – Winter 2016 – 2017
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the speckled trout bite is on in the backwaters, and fish up to 6 lbs. have been reported. Places such as Saucepan Creek, Shallotte River, the rock wall in Shallotte Inlet, and around area bridges are great locations to look for the fish, and live shrimp should be the go-to for the trout. The clear water in the area allows for anglers to also throw artificials, but stick to natural colors.
Redfish are in the same areas and will take the same baits.
There are still a few flounder inshore that haven’t yet moved to the nearshore reefs, but most are on the smaller side.
Nearshore, the king bite has been great in warmer waters, and fish between 30-50 lbs. have been reported.
Offshore, the bite is still good in the Stream. Start in the 115’ range and move towards the 100/400 for a chance to hook a possible stray mahi still in the area. Once out in 160-175’, the water should be holding wahoo, blackfins, and a few yellowfin tuna. The wahoo are often hitting black/purple and red/black colors, and moving between the 100/400 and the Blackjack should put hoo’s in the boat.
Traveling inshore a bit and dropping bait on bottom will hook grouper, beeliners, and black sea bass.
Lauren Kostszycki, of Ocean Isle, with a 17” flounder caught in the ICW near Ocean Isle. The fish fell for a Gulp shrimp.
Cecil, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the trout bite is hot up in the Lockwood Folly and Shallotte rivers. The fish are hitting live shrimp and artificials like DOA and Vudu shrimp.
One or two flounder have been caught here and there in inshore waters, but the flatfish are all small.
Black drum and sheepshead are still being caught. The drum are falling for cut shrimp, and the sheepshead are taking clams, oysters, and fiddler crabs.
Joshua Stone (age 5) with a 24” flounder that fell for a peanut pogie while fishing with Capt. Shane Britt of Fin Fisher Charter Services.
Red drum are still in the area, but they are much smaller than the reds that anglers saw all summer and fall.
Those anglers throwing lines into the surf are connecting with nice-sized whiting.
Going into winter, there should be a strong trout bite, and anglers will find them up canals and in shallow rivers in the colder months.
Trey Marshall, of Youngsville, with a 33” king mackerel caught near the Shark’s Hole.
Kyle, of Speckulater Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that there has been good trout fishing everywhere that typically holds fish. For the most part, the fish have been a good mix of sizes, with spikes to large gator trout reported (up to 8 lbs.). The largest specks have been pulled from the jetties.
Live shrimp is the way to hook the fish, but as shrimp are becoming harder to find, throwing artificials will tempt bites, too. Everything from MirrOlures, Vudu shrimp, and soft plastic swim baits have worked, with colors depending on the date and location.
Red and black drum have started to school back up, and though none of the fish are very big, finding groups of fish in the back creeks can provide some winter action for anglers.
Sheepshead are still being caught around bridges and the jetties.
Trout should be around at least through January, and the reds will school up more and move back through into the creeks all winter long.
Drew Markham, of Holly Springs, with a citation flounder caught while fishing behind Ocean Isle Beach.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite has been on fire in the Holden Beach area. Anglers are limiting out on specks, and they’re also catching the occasional keeper red drum in the same areas.
Stripers are starting to bite as well, and they can be targeted with artificials, like Gulp shrimp in pearl and chartreuse.
Tyler Nelson caught this 19” flounder on a Fanatic bucktail tipped with a Gulp soft plastic. He was fishing in a creek near Holden Beach.
