Ocean Isle September 26, 2013
Mickey Cochran with 6.79 and 5 lb. flounder he hooked on live mullet in Tubbs Inlet.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that blue water trollers found solid wahoo fishing along the break last week. The best bite has been in 150-250’ of water, and anglers are hooking most of their fish on ballyhoo paired with skirted trolling lures.
There’s been a decent king mackerel bite at spots in around 75’ of water lately (with some 20-30 lb. fish in the mix). Live menhaden are top choices for the kings, but they’ve become a bit scarce along the beachfront. Dead cigar minnows will also get the job done.
Spanish mackerel and some false albacore are feeding along the Brunswick County beachfront. Anglers can hook both while trolling flashy lures like Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights. When the fish are feeding on the surface, casting metal jigs into the action allows anglers to hook up on lighter tackle.
Inshore, there’s been a solid red drum bite around the Little River jetties and at other area inlets. Live mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs are fooling the majority of the reds.
Hamilton and Hark Vaughan, of Raleigh, NC, with a red drum that bit a large live mullet at the east end of Ocean Isle Beach.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite is cranking up for fall, and anglers caught big numbers (with short fish mixed with keepers) while fishing grassy shorelines and oyster rocks in the creeks and backwaters between Calabash and Little River. Live shrimp fished under floats have been producing the majority of the fish, and the shrimp are numerous in the creeks right now. Soft plastic baits are also tempting bites from the trout.
Red drum are feeding in the backwater creeks and around ICW docks as well (with most fish 18-25”). Live shrimp or finger mullet will tempt bites from the reds, and both float rigs and Carolina rigs can be effective depending on water depth and current movement.
Some larger reds (most 8-12 lbs. but some larger) are feeding in Little River Inlet and will bite live or cut baits.
Flounder fishing has been solid inshore lately, with good action in Tubbs Inlet and other local spots (plenty of small fish but some 5+ lbs. in the mix as well). Live finger mullet are fooling most of the flatfish, but they’ll also fall for soft plastics like Gulp baits.
Hackney Parker with a 42″ red drum he caught and released at the Little River jetties after it attacked a live finger mullet. He was fishing with Henry Beckham.
The flounder bite at nearshore structure like the Jim Caudle Reef has slowed down. Anglers are still catching a few, though, and it may get good again before the weather gets too cold.
Large spanish mackerel are feeding around the inlet mouths and at nearshore structure. Anglers can tempt them to bite casting jigs, topwater plugs, and free-lined live baits.
Paul, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some spot and sea mullet on shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish are falling for bottom rigs and Gotcha plugs that anglers are working from the pier.
Flounder (most undersized) and some speckled trout are taking an interest in live baits near the pilings.
