OIFC fishing report 4-25

[Fishing Report]

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"Saturday Gulf Stream" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 04/24/11

The signal came for the bullpen and just like that I was out of retirement and back on the charter fleet team. Of course it didn't take much arm twisting as I have gone way too long without fishing from Ocean Isle Beach, and I this was an opportunity to start my 2011 OIB fishing by going to the Gulf Stream. Capt. Chris Dawson and I guided a crew of great guys from the Raleigh area including trip organzier Jim Mcgovern who is the general manager at the world famous Angus Barn restaurant in Raleigh. If you haven't visited the Angus Barn you are missing a dining experience unlike anything you've ever seen (not to mention if you order fish, it was likely caught right here in Ocean Isle Beach!).

While anticipation was high to get this trip underway our moods were quickly tempered as we were greeted by a sloppy 3 to 5' and more southeast swell. We were bound and determined to make it happen so off we went to the south in the direction of the MacMarlen hole. The Hiltons chart showed nutrient rich water from the MacMarlen extending south so that combined with the sea direction led us in this direction. The seas did not improve eventhough there was no wind. The swell from the previous day's wind was brutal as we slugged it out at 20mph.

When we arrived to our destination we had hoped to be rewarded for effort of making it out there despite the swell. Unfortunately it was not to be. The water color was a mixed dirty, blue green. The water temperature was 69 and we marked very little bait. We made the call to troll our spread of ballyhoo and feathers south to the Wynyah Scarp. The further south we went, the better the conditions became. While I liked what I was seeing better, the fish still weren't cooperating and our crew needed to pull on a fish. There is only one answer at a time like this. Time to get our jig on! We found a few marks around the structure and started our vertical jigging approach. A few mystery fish were hooked and lost. Then a very unusual thing happened. We caught a fish that I have never seen off Ocean Isle but have heard of. The Rosco jig was nailed, the rod buckled and our guys battled to the surface 2 big mutton snapper. These fish are very prevalent in south Florida, especially the Keys, but very rare for our waters. Even more impressive was the size of one of the muttons weighing around 15lbs. These fish were day savers and brought everyone's mood up. We made the call to give the trolling another shot as I was convinced the fish would start biting considering the change in conditions we were seeing.

We kept trolling south and the water changed to a cobalt blue, we found several rips, a decent weedline, the flying fish were moving, and the water temps was up to 73 degrees. It had to happen now. Sure enough we started getting bites. For the next hour the bites picked up and we caught barracudas, mahi, and blackfin tuna. Another first for me was hooking into a nice 20+lb mahi only to have it attacked by sometype of sea monster which left nothing but the first 6 inches of the head on the hook for us. Crazy. Unfortunately our time was short so we didn't get to do a lot of damage on the pelagics. The guys wanted one more shot at the jigging so we stopped over a tell tale AJ mark and the crew did battle with a ravenous school of jacks for the next few minutes while we cleaned up the boat.

It could have been better but also worse. I was a little disappointed we didn't find a wahoo but I guess you can't catch em all. Once we found the right condition the fishing did pick up. Like always you can't catch em if you're not where they're at. The ride in was much better with the diminished swell now behind us. So, my return to the charter team was great, I got my 2011 OIB fishing season started and I saw a couple things I've never seen before. Success!


-Capt. Barrett McMullan

What does Jigging and May 1st mean?" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 04/24/11

GROUPER...... We are having another jigging school next weekend. This school coincides with the opening of Grouper season on May 1st. I have 2 spots left for this school. We will specifically target Blackfin Tuna and Grouper on this trip. The class will take place on Saturday, April 30th and the fishing will be on Sunday, May 1st. That's right, the opening day of Grouper season 2011. Cost is $450.00 per person which includes all instruction, equipment and fishing. Call 910.575.3474 to book your spot. These last 2 spots will fill up fast.
-Capt. Steele Park



""Dad is a Hero"" | Tiberias - 22' | 04/24/11

I took Mark Wood out a few days ago on a half day trip and we caught a few redfish. He talked about his kids often and wanting to put them on some fish. Looks like he picked up a few tips on his charter with me. Nothing like seeing a smile on your kids face and being their hero! See ya on the water!
-Capt. Jacob Frick



"Hot Flounder Bite" | Get Busy | 04/23/11

Changing tide+live bait+location=flounder bite. We've had extreme lunar tides the past several days causing a lot of bait movement . Mud Minnows have been the hot bait as of late. I have been told that there are some good sized mullet minnows and tiger minnows showing up. If you're proficient with a small cast net then you're set. Otherwise stop by and we can hook you up with mud minnows. The hot locations seem to be in the grass along the ICW, the creeks and as you can tell Tubbs Inlet. A LOT of flounder are being caught near our base of operations. The bite usually fires off behind Cherry Grove Beach prior to ours taking off, but it seems we are having an early bite. There is quite a mixed bag in sizes. A 10# fish taken in the ICW, a couple in the 3 &4 # range down to 6" flounder in creeks and Tubbs Inlet. Come see us, get the latest update and try your hand!

-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