Ocean Isle June 10, 2010
Ned Garber with a 25 lb. class dolphin that fell for a select ballyhoo beneath a red/black Alien in 248' near the Blackjack Hole. He was fishing out of Ocean Isle with Edwin, Nolan, and Bob Newell and Casey Johnson aboard the "Black Dog."
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that the red drum bite inshore has been solid in deeper holes in the Lockwood Folly River. Live shrimp have been the best baits lately.
The king mackerel bite was solid at Lighthouse Rocks and other spots 10-15 miles offshore last week, with most of the fish falling for live pogies. Large numbers of sharks are also in the area and making the king fishing difficult at times.
Bottom fishermen are finding solid action with black sea bass at bottom structure in around 80’ of water. Squid and cut baits are taking a toll on the bass.
Good numbers of gag grouper are in the same areas and falling for live baits like pogies.
The dolphin fishing is improving in the 80-100’ depths, and anglers are hooking the fish while trolling live and dead baits.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite has been solid at spots in the 55-70’ depth range. The bite was particularly good at the 90/90 last week (where anglers caught several fish in the 20’s). Live pogies have been producing most of the action on the kings, and there have been decent numbers between Lockwood Folly and Shallotte inlets lately, though they’ve been somewhat difficult to catch.
Some dolphin, sailfish, and cobia have been in the mix in the same areas where anglers are finding the kings.
Amber Simmons and Courtney Waddell, of Ocean Isle Beach, with a healthy red grouper they hooked at some structure 50 miles south of Ocean Isle while fishing with Daniel Simmons on the "Reel McCoy."
The Gulf Stream bite locally remains a bit slow, but boats are finding decent numbers of dolphin at spots like the Blackjack Hole and Steeples. Trolling skirted ballyhoo or moving a bit faster with baitless lures will attract attention from the dolphin.
Anglers may also be able to find action with some larger gaffer dolphin (and perhaps a billfish) by working further offshore from the break and searching for weed lines and temperature breaks that concentrate the fish.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the inshore action was up-and-down over the week, with hot fishing one day followed by a tough bite the next.
Some excellent news for local anglers is that shrimp are now around (in cast net size and quantities) in the local creeks, so catching some live shrimp for bait shouldn’t be too challenging.
The red drum and speckled trout action remains decent at the Little River jetties, but the pinfish and other undesirables are becoming so prevalent that it’s hard to keep a live shrimp in the water long enough for a trout or red to find it.
Some trout are feeding in traditional summertime creek and backwater areas, and they will pounce on a live shrimp drifted underneath a float.
John, Pam, and Wes Long and Dale Chandler, of New London, NC, with king mackerel and dolphin they hooked on cigar minnows behind green/yellow and orange/chartreuse South Chatham Tackle Pirate Plugs. They were trolling southwest of Frying Pan Tower with Capts. Randy Lingerfelt and Mick Cobb of Feedin' Frenzy Charters.
Red drum are also feeding in predictable areas for the season, like the creeks, ICW docks, Sunset Beach Bridge, and Ocean Isle canals. Live shrimp, pogies, and other baits will attract the reds’ attention.
The flounder bite remains consistent in Tubbs Inlet and the Shallotte River. Live mud minnows and pogies are drawing bites from the flatfish, with the larger fish showing a preference for the pogies.
Josh, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that plug casters are still picking up some spanish mackerel and bluefish on Gotcha plugs.
Bottom fishermen are decking some whiting and flounder on shrimp baits.
