Ocean Isle Winter 2010
Sophie Hughes, of Sunset Beach, with a speckled trout she hooked on a live shrimp in Calabash Creek while fishing on the "Little Bro Bro."
Brant, 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 kings.
The fish should remain in the area until the water drops below 65 degrees, when they’ll follow the warm water to their wintering grounds off Frying Pan Tower.
It’s almost time for the bluefin tuna to arrive in the area, but the water’s still a bit warm—around 60 degrees at the sea buoy. Once the water falls to around 50 there, anglers will start to see the bluefins feeding around the 55-60 degree water a few miles offshore, which should be roughly around Christmas.
Capt. Keith Logan, of Stand'N Down Charters out of Holden Beach, with a red grouper hooked in 90' of water off of Frying Pan Shoals.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the early winter speckled trout bite is on, and anglers are catching good numbers at familiar local spots like the Little River jetties, Sunset Beach Bridge, around other inshore structure, and in the creeks. Live shrimp are the top baits for the specks, but anglers may also be able to hook up on a variety of soft plastic baits and hard baits like MirrOlures.
Some puppy drum are mixed in with the specks and feeding around the Ocean Isle docks, and they’ll take an interest in the same baits as the trout.
Christina Sports with her first saltwater fish, a 21" sheepshead she hooked in Shallotte Inlet.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the king mackerel bite has been excellent at local bottom structure in around 85’ recently. Live cigar minnows jigged up from the structure have been producing most of the action. The kings will stay in the area until the water dips below the mid-60’s, and then they’ll follow the warmer water offshore.
Dropping the cigars to bottom marks in the same areas has been attracting attention from big black sea bass and some American red snapper.
Bluefin tuna should be making an appearance in the area soon.
Inshore, the speckled trout and red drum bite has been excellent lately. Anglers are catching both fish around the inlets and inshore structure like bridges and docks, and live baits and soft plastics seem to be producing most of the fish.
Jennifer Poage, from Wilmington, with a citation 2.5 lb. pompano that fell for a fresh shrimp bait in the Oak Island surf.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that there’s been a good king mackerel bite around the Atlantic Ledge lately, but the fish seem to be moving further offshore with every trip. Live baits or dead cigar minnows should produce action with the kings when anglers find them.
Gag grouper are also feeding on the bottom at the Atlantic Ledge, and they’ll take an interest in cigar minnows and live and cut baits.
Gulf Stream trollers found some good wahoo and blackfin tuna action between the 100/400 and the Winyah Scarp last week. Ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures produced most of the action.
