Ocean Isle – June 5, 2014
Nate Snyder, of Woodburn, IN, with a black drum that bit shrimp near the Sunset Beach bridge while he was fishing with his father and daughters.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are connecting with school king mackerel at local spots in the 55-70’ depths. Both live menhaden and dead cigar minnows will fool the smaller kings.
Cobia are scattered in with the kings and offshore to 100’ of water. Live baits and bucktail jigs will get their attention.
The dolphin bite has become a bit more sporadic than earlier in the season, but boats are still finding some action along the break and inshore to the 100’ depths. Most are falling for skirted ballyhoo.
Boaters trolling nearshore are finding plenty of spanish mackerel action while pulling Clarkspoons in 20-30’ of water.
Kevin, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the dolphin bite along the break has slowed down, but anglers are still hooking some gaffers while trolling skirted ballyhoo around the usual blue water spots.
Vertical-jigging was productive at spots along the break last week, with anglers hooking plenty of amberjacks along with some cobia, African pompano, and bottom fish.
There’s been some good king mackerel action in the 65’ range lately, with the bite best in the early morning near the Shark Hole and 18 Mile Rock. Live and dead baits will attract attention from the kings.
Spanish mackerel and some juvenile kings are feeding in 20-35’ of water just off the beaches, and they’re pouncing on Clarkspoons behind #1 planers.
Kyle, of Speckulator Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite is still going, but plenty of small fish are biting alongside the keepers. Baiting up with larger baits like peanut menhaden seems to be weeding out some of the smaller fish, and the menhaden are around in good numbers. The action’s been good at many of the usual areas like Tubbs Inlet and inshore structure along the ICW.
Red drum are also feeding at structure like docks and bridges in the waterway and biting menhaden, mud minnows, and chunks of crab.
Some trout are in the same areas as the reds and flounder, and they’re taking an interest in live baits as well.
Sheepshead have shown up inshore around pilings and other structure. Live fiddler crabs are tough for the sheeps to turn down.
Spanish mackerel action is still going, and anglers are hooking up while trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal lures to fish feeding on the surface.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that anglers have been connecting with spanish mackerel and bluefish while working casting lures like Gotcha plugs from the planks.
Bottom fishermen are hooking some spot and sea mullet on shrimp.
