Ocean Isle August 28, 2008
David McKethan, Gene McKethan, and Robby Bryant, with wahoo they hooked while trolling between the Blackjack Hole ansd 100/400. They were fishing out of Ocean Isle aboard the "Sea Dog" and also released a sailfish.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that fall fishing is getting ready to begin. Wahoo are already showing up in the Gulf Stream around the 100/400, Blackjack Hole, and other spots, and the fishing will only get better as the water cools in September and October. Most of the fish are feeding in 140-200′ and are in the 25-40 lb. range, but a few up to 60 lbs. are in the mix as well. Ballyhoo trolled under dark skirts in red/black and purple/black colors should get attention from the wahoo.
Boats are also finding a decent number of sailfish in the bluewater, so a billfish hookup is always a possibility.
The king mackerel fishing is still good at offshore spots in the 60-100′ range when the seas lay down enough for boats to make the run, and anglers should be able to hook up with them while trolling live baits like pogies and cigar minnows.
As the water calms down, the kings will be moving into the beaches to gorge on baitfish pouring out the inlets, so the hot fall beach king bite is just around the corner as well.
Bottom fishing should still be good for grouper and snapper at structure in the 100′ range.
Larry Kiker with a 3 lb. 4 oz. summer flounder caught while fishing from Ocean Crest Pier. The fish takes the top spot so far in the flounder category of OCP's yearly contest.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the spanish mackerel bite in Little River Inlet was the best thing going last week. Slow-trolling or drifting with live finger mullet is the most effective way to hook up with the big spaniards, but anglers can also cast X-Raps and other lures to fish feeding on the surface.
Red drum are feeding in the area creeks and around ICW docks, with a few also at the Little River jetties (including some big 15+ lb. reds). Live baits fished under float rigs near structure will get attention from the reds.
Flounder are feeding on the nearshore reefs and wrecks still, and last week’s northeast wind should have cooled the water a little and turned the bite on.
David, of Capt. Hook Outdoors, reports that flounder fishing has been solid inside the inlet over the past week, where anglers drifting and slow-trolling Carolina-rigged live baits are hooking up with solid numbers of flatfish.
It’s been too rough to head offshore this week, but the offshore bite should be good when boats can get back out.
The kings were feeding at spots in 65-70′ like the Jungle and Shark Hole last week, and they should still be active in the area. As the water cools a bit, the fish will begin heading for the beaches, and anglers should be able to hook more and bigger kings than they did all summer just a short distance from shore.
Bottom fishing will also get even better over the coming weeks, and anglers should be able to find gag groupers feeding in as close as spots in 60′. Live baits will fool the largest groupers.
Will, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are catching whiting and sharks on shrimp. Bloodworms are fooling some spots.
Speckled trout and flounder are falling for live shrimp.
The water is 78 degrees.
