Ocean Isle October 14, 2010
Casey Johnson, Molly Garber, Ned Garber, and Andrew Sanderson with a wahoo Johnson hooked on a ballyhoo behind a black/purple Pirate Plug at the 100/400 while they were trolling on the "Black Dog."
Patrick, of Twister Charters, reports that bottom fishing was solid last week around structure in 85’ of water SW of Frying Pan Tower. Anglers dropping live pogies to the bottom in that area landed several healthy gag grouper. Fishing with smaller cut baits has been producing a mixed bag of black sea bass, triggerfish, grunts, beeliners, and other tasty bottom dwellers.
Some schoolie king mackerel are hanging out in the same areas and taking an interest in light-lined cigar minnows and live baits while anglers are bottom fishing.
Gulf Stream anglers reported an improving wahoo bite last week.
Closer to the shore, there’s been a good king mackerel bite (with fish to 20+ lbs.) along the beaches and at nearshore structure like Yaupon Reef. Live-baiting with pogies and other baits is the way to fool the inshore kings. Some large lemon and other sharks are in the same areas, and they will also take an interest in live baits.
Spanish mackerel are still feeding in the area, with the best action off Lockwood Folly Inlet last week. Trolled Clarkspoons are attracting plenty of attention from the spaniards.
Inshore, the red drum bite’s been decent for anglers fishing with live finger mullet in the Lockwood Folly River.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers saw improving action in the Gulf Stream last week, with most boats bringing home at least one wahoo from the blue water. Some blackfin tuna are mixed in, and anglers are still finding some bailer dolphin around weed patches in the area. The blue water action’s been best to the east of the area around spots like the Blackjack and Steeples lately, and most of the fish are falling for ballyhoo rigged under skirted trolling lures.
The king mackerel bite has finally turned on all over the area, and anglers are catching fish at spots from 20’ of water offshore to over 100’. The most consistent fishing was in 50-70’, but a solid beach bite developed along Oak Island last week as well. Pogies have been a little tough to find lately, with the best odds from Shallotte Inlet west to Little River.
The gag grouper seem to have moved inshore from the 100’ depths to the 70-80’ spots, so anglers shouldn’t have to run that far to find some grouper action.
Destiny and Taylor Foster, of Shallotte, with a pair of red drum that fell for live finger mullet in Shallotte Inlet.
Kyle, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers are still catching decent numbers of large red drum at the Little River jetties (many 40+”). Live pogies, larger mullet, and crabs are attracting most of the attention from the big reds. The fishing has slowed a bit from a few weeks ago, when anglers were catching double digit numbers, but several fish a day are still the norm.
Inshore, there have been plenty of smaller red drum feeding in the creeks and marshes, and with last week’s extra-high tides, the fish were tailing in the grass as well.
The flounder bite’s been solid lately in the typical fall spots. Oddly for this time of year, many of the fish have been on the smaller side, but good numbers of solid 16-20” keepers are mixed in. Live finger mullet are the way to go for the flatties.
Speckled trout are beginning to make an appearance in the area, but the bite’s a little slower than usual for this time of year.
Josh, of Ocean Isle Pier, reports that there have been some good spot runs over the past week for anglers baiting up with bloodworms.
Bottom fishermen are also picking up some bluefish and pompano.
A few flounder are falling for live baits fished on the bottom.
