Ocean Isle April 28, 2011
Andrew Sanderson and Matt Moore, from Harrells, NC, with a wahoo they hooked while high-speed trolling near the Steeples in 220' of water. The 'hoo fell for a black/purple lure while they were fishing with Bob Newell aboard the "Black Dog."
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream trollers are finding some action with wahoo and blackfin tuna while working the blue water, but the bite isn’t red hot. Ballyhoo and high-speed lures will draw bites from the ‘hoos and tuna.
Vertically jigging along the Gulf Stream edge has been producing all the large amberjacks anglers want to catch, along with some large groupers (catch and release till May 1), and, unusually, a pair of mutton snapper last week.
King mackerel are still few and far between, but some have been reported from the Frying Pan Tower area, and it shouldn’t be long until a few large ones are caught near the Brunswick beaches, as they typically follow the spanish mackerel and bluefish inshore this time of year.
Bluefish are thick along the beaches, and anglers are getting into the first spanish mackerel action of the year as well (with some large 20-24” fish in the mix). Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 planers and trolling weights should provide fast action with the spanish and blues.
Grouper season opens May 1, and anglers looking to get into the largest fish should start their search at structure out near the break. Live baits are the best bets for the big scamps and gags.
Jim McGovern, of Charlotte, NC, with a large mutton snapper he hooked while vertical jigging on the edge of the Gulf Stream aboard the "Carolina Cat" out of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center.
Jacob, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel along the surf zone outside Shallotte Inlet.
Inshore, the red drum bite is still solid, though the larger fish are moving from the creeks and flats to their summer haunts in 6-8’ of water or deeper during the middle of the days. Anglers may still be able to hook a few larger (upper to over-slot) reds in the shallows early and late in the day. Fresh cut mullet and Sea Assasin Shads have been producing most of the action with the reds lately.
Speckled trout are becoming more active as well (though many are small). Working the Sea Assassins (especially in chartreuse/diamond) around the canals behind Ocean Isle is the best way to hook up with the specks.
Flounder are feeding more actively by the day, and anglers are encountering good numbers (plenty of shorts but some to 5 lbs. this past week) in Tubbs and Shallotte Inlets. Live mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs are the way to go for the flatties.
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that anglers fishing inshore are starting to pick up some keeper flounder along with a few speckled trout around Shallotte Inlet.
Offshore, Gulf Stream trolling has been producing some wahoo, blackfin tuna, and a few dolphin. Ballyhoo under skirted trolling lures have been fooling the pelagic predators.
Jigging around structure in the blue water is drawing plenty of bites from amberjacks and some large grouper.
Capt. Jacob Frick, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, with a 26" red drum he hooked in a canal behind Ocean Isle Beach.
Mark, of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com, reports that the flounder are turning on in Tubbs Inlet (with lots of undersized but some 5-10 lb. fish encountered lately). The fish are also biting very well in Cherry Grove. Most of the flatfish are taking an interest in live mud minnows.
The red drum bite is still solid, and anglers are encountering some large fish in the flooded grass on higher tides, where they’ll bite spinnerbaits or chunks of crab.
At lower tides, targeting creek drains and docks along the ICW should produce some action for anglers casting Gulps and crab chunks.
A few smaller speckled trout are mixed in with the reds and falling for D.O.A. and Billy Bay shrimp under popping corks.
Will, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are catching decent numbers of sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp.
Bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs worked from the pier.
