Ocean Isle/Holden Beach
« Previous EntriesOcean Isle March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Robert Hughes and Todd Helf, of Sunset Beach, with the results of a double header wahoo bite. The 'hoos bit Yo-Zuri and Mega-Bait trolling plugs near the Blackjack Hole.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream anglers found a slow bite while trolling recently, but they were able to find plenty of action while jigging in the blue water. Working vertical jigs around structure near the Steeples has been producing nearly nonstop bites from amberjacks and false albacore (with some blackfin tuna in the mix as well). Anglers can also drop the jigs to hook up with the albacore and blackfins when they mark them deep and the fish won’t come up to bite trolled baits.
This is typically one of the best times of year to hook up with big wahoo in the Stream, so although the bite’s been a little slow recently, hooking up with a 50+ lb. wahoo is a definite possibility while fishing the blue water.
Bottom fishermen have been finding fast action with black sea bass at structure from 65-100’+ of water. The largest bass are coming from the deeper structure in 95-100’. In the 65-90’ depths, the ratio of throwbacks to keepers gets substantially higher, and spiny dogfish seem to be dominating the structure inshore of 65’. Bottom rigs baited with squid and cut baits or vertical jigs will attract plenty of attention from the bass.
The coming weeks of warmer weather should have the water temperatures on the rise and improve the fishing overall.
John Mayer, of Oak Island, with a 25" red drum and a 23" speckled trout he hooked while kayak fishing near Wilderness Landing. The red fell for a finger mullet on a jighead, and a 51MR MirrOlure fooled the speck.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that there have been good numbers of puppy drum (most 16-20”) in the backs of the creeks around Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle. The fish are feeding in very shallow water, so a flats boat is a necessity in order to reach the skittish reds without spooking them. Gulp shrimp and crabs are producing most of the action on the reds.
Some black drum are mixed in with the reds and feeding around inshore structure in the area. Cut shrimp on a bottom rig is plenty to entice bites from the black drum.
Both drum species should become a bit more active and easier to fool once the water warms up a few degrees.
Anglers are hooking up with a few speckled trout around inshore structure, the creeks, and in the canals at Ocean Isle and Holden Beach. Storm or Billy Bay Halo shrimp imitations fished very slowly are some of the best baits for the specks right now. Live shrimp are even better, but they are difficult for anglers to get their hands on right now.
As the water rises into the upper-50’s and lower-60’s, local anglers will have shots at some of the biggest trout of the year around the Little River jetties while fishing live shrimp near the rocks. This typically occurs around the beginning of April.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that inshore anglers are finding some action with speckled trout and red drum in the backwaters of Holden Beach. Live shrimp and soft plastic lures are fooling both fish.
Offshore, the black sea bass bite has been solid at bottom structure in 80-85’ of water. Cut baits and squid on bottom rigs have been producing plenty of bites from the bass.
Warming water over the next few weeks should turn on the king mackerel bite near Frying Pan Tower, and anglers can hook up with the kings while trolling Drone Spoons or cigar minnows.
Mid-March and the beginning of April usually host a good blue water bite off the area when boats can make it to the Gulf Stream. Wahoo and yellowfin tuna are the main targets, and anglers can seek the action out by trolling rigged ballyhoo under sea witches and lures like Green Machines.
Ocean Isle Winter 2010
Thursday, December 10th, 2009Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are finding a good king mackerel bite at spots in 80’ of water and deeper, with a solid bite around the Atlantic Ledge this past week. There are still some schools of pogies on the beaches, but dead cigar minnows will also attract attention from the [...]
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Ocean Isle November 12, 2009
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite is on off Ocean Isle in 65-85’ of water. The Shark Hole and Horseshoe were especially effective for local boats last week, with some larger fish (30+ lbs.) reported around Frying Pan Tower and at spots east of the shoals.
Live and dead bait [...]
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Ocean Isle October 15, 2009
Thursday, October 15th, 2009Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite is finally coming around. Anglers have been hooking the fish (up to 20-30 lbs.) all over the area, with good reports from the old Cape Fear River channel, Shallotte Inlet, the 90/90, the Shark Hole, the Jungle, and other areas from the beach [...]
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Ocean Isle October 1, 2009
Thursday, October 1st, 2009Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been incredible along the beaches lately. Anglers are hooking the spanish while casting metal jigs and other lures and trolling Clarkspoons, and the action’s been hottest around Lockwood Folly Inlet recently.
Pogies are plentiful between Lockwood and the Cape Fear River mouth. Anglers [...]