Ocean Isle – June 26, 2014
Gary Hinson with a 7 lb. sheepshead that bit a live shrimp in the ICW near Oak Island while he was fishing with Capt. Ryan Rayfield on the “Conjured Too.”
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel bite is turning on at spots in 50-65’ of water like the 390/390 and the Jungle (with some fish 20-30+ lbs.). Anglers are also reporting good action with kings at offshore spots in the 80-100’ depths. Most of the mackerel are falling for live menhaden.
The menhaden are still holding along the Brunswick County beaches, but they have been a bit tough to find and catch lately since they’re not flipping on the surface most days. Searching for spots of muddy water or marks on the depthfinder will help anglers find the bait when it’s not showing up top.
Some cobia are still looking for meals around the same spots that anglers are hooking the kings, and they’re also taking an interest in live menhaden.
Dolphin have also moved into the 80-100’ depths and are falling for live and dead baits.
Boaters making the run to local blue water hotspots like the 100/400 and Blackjack Hole are also reporting some good dolphin action.
Spanish mackerel continue to feed along the beachfront, where anglers are hooking them on trolled Clarkspoons.
Kyle, of Speckulator Charters, reports that the speckled trout action has been consistent lately from Ocean Isle to Little River. Anglers are finding the specks at most of the usual spots along the ICW and in Little River Inlet. The fish are schooled up in mixed sizes (with sublegal fish and 4+ pounders feeding alongside each other), and live shrimp under slip floats are producing most of the action.
Nicholas Reschly and Tommy Scheetz with 25 and 22 lb. African pompano that bit cigar minnows while they were fishing near Frying Pan Tower.
Sheepshead are feeding around ICW docks and bridges and at the Little River jetties. Live shrimp or fiddler crabs will get attention from the sheeps.
Flounder fishing remains solid, with action in Tubbs Inlet, the Shallotte River, and around ICW docks. The keeper to throwback ratio continues to improve by the week. Anglers are hooking most of the flounder on live mud minnows and peanut menhaden on Carolina rigs.
Red drum action has been a bit hit-or-miss, but anglers are connecting with reds in some of the local creeks and around ICW docks. Live shrimp and menhaden are tempting the bites from the reds. Some larger drum (30”+) are feeding around the Little River jetties, but the bite’s been hot one day and cold the next. Live menhaden fished on the bottom are fooling the jetty reds when they’re in a feeding mood.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some spot and sea mullet on bottom rigs baited with shrimp and bloodworms.
Anglers fishing live shrimp in the early morning hours are connecting with some speckled trout.
Flounder are falling for live baits fished under the pier.
Plug casters are hooking some spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
