I was finishing up some shopping at the Walmart in greater Shallotte today when I ran into one of our local fishing "aces". He told me that "the water had moved in" around the Tower and the kings were almost eating the bottom out of his boat. He said most of the guys were pulling spoons and were killing the fish. That if someone pulled "minnows" they could absolutely slay the kings. All the emphasis has been on blue fins and most of us haven't really thought about kings. Maybe we need to. I also had my bags checked by the Walmart Greeter. I guess it was the "gangsta" look I had going in my hooded OIFC sweat shirt.

-Capt. Rickey Beck



"Sea Bass Birthday" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 12/22/10

What better family tradition than to celebrate a birthday sea bass fishing. Today is Capt Brant's birthday so me, Brant, and Caroline loaded up the Carolina Cat[with it's brand new 300HP Yamaha's] and headed out to 90-100 feet in search of the absolute best eating fish in the sea; which just happens to make it's home right here in North Carolina. We loaded up with 1-3 pounders, while dodging lots of sharks. Seemed like the best strategy was to drop on any rock, catch a couple before the sharks found us, and then move to another rock. Hopping around like this in a small area allowed us to catch the sea bass and miss most of the sharks which are thick out there right now. The weather today was perfect, but appears to be taking another downturn for the rest of the week and into next week. Didn't see any encouraging Bluefin signs, a few gannets and porpoises, nothing exciting. Hope everyone has a great Christmas; I will with a refrigerator full of fresh Sea Bass!

-Rube McMullan



"Messed Up!!" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 12/20/10

Messed up! That's what the weather man did. The wind was supposed to blow Monday and Tuesday. It blew hard out of the north Sunday, and then about 5 pm someone threw a switch and it stopped! Tuna birds were thick right off the beach at Ocean Isle all day Sunday. The ocean was flat and beautiful Monday and there is not even a slight breeze now (Monday night).

I've talked with some guys who are going out blue fin huntn' Tuesday. With the cold weather, the report of the tuna washed ashore at Ft. Fisher and the Gannets flying in our area the odds are in the favor of someone hooking up. I wish all the anglers good luck and hope we'll have some pictures to post Tuesday evening. Stay tuned!!!!

-Capt. Rickey Beck



"Washed Up Blue Fin" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 12/19/10

I just confirmed a report that an @80" blue fin tuna washed ashore at Ft. Fisher. Good news is they have made it our way. Bad news is one died and washed ashore. Also, the weather will not let us get out and fish for them.
-Capt. Rickey Beck

Ocean Isle Fishing Center- Ocean Isle Beach, NC – for more reports and upcoming fishing news visit www.OIFC.com ---
910-575-FISH