Ocean Isle March 7, 2013
Larry and Chris Cauthen and Chris Garner with wahoo (the largest 80 lbs.) they hooked while trolling near the 100/400 on the “Sea Craft” out of Holden Beach.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that although the hottest part of the Gulf Stream has pushed offshore of the local blue water spots lately, anglers have found some solid wahoo action in cooler-than-usual (71-72 degree) water. The fish are grouped up tightly when they’re in the cool water and feeding, so multiple hookups are the norm for anglers who can find the fish. On the flip side, there’s a lot of water out there and it can be tough to find a knot of feeding fish. Ballyhoo trolled under skirted lures are doing most of the damage on the wahoo.
Blackfin tuna are feeding in the same areas (along with big numbers of false albacore), and they’ll bite ballyhoo or smaller baits and lures.
March often sees a good king mackerel bite east of Frying Pan Tower, but cool water in the area has slowed that fishing down as well, though some fish are still being caught. Once water in the mid-60’s or above shows up, so should the mackerel. Cigar minnows, either live or dead, are some of the best bets for the kings when they’re feeding offshore.
Huge numbers of black sea bass are feeding on bottom structure from the beachfront out to 110’of water, and while they provide some action, they must be released until June. Unfortunately, the bass are so numerous it’s virtually impossible to get a lure or bait past them to any other bottom dwellers.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that there are big numbers of red drum around in the local creeks. Anglers were catching some healthy upper-slot and over-slot fish several weeks ago, but since it cooled back off, most have been smaller (16-19”). Once the water temperature warms a few degrees, the bigger fish should begin biting again.
Targeting slightly deeper holes and oyster beds around low tides is the best way to connect with the reds, and live mud minnows or Gulp baits fished on jigheads and split-shot rigs are tempting them to bite.
There are also big numbers of speckled trout in the creeks, though anglers are seeing many more than they’re catching. Schools of up to 150 trout are holding on oyster points and grassy areas in the creeks, but they’re lethargic and aren’t moving much at all, let alone feeding.
Casting Billy Bay shrimp or MirrOlure MR17’s to slightly deeper water in the creeks has been producing the trout that anglers are hooking.
Though the trout aren’t feeding heavily yet, they’re in the area, and once the water warms up a bit, the spring trout bite should be a good one this year.
