Spring Kickoff This Weekend
The Ocean Isle Fishing Center's annual Spring Kickoff will be hosted this Saturday, March 26th from the OIFC. The event is 100% FREE and is designed to help jump-start the fishing spirit for the coming season. This year's Spring Kickoff will include:
- Used tackle sales forum for you to bring your own stuff and try to sell. Bring your own table and set up on-site.
- FREE seminars:
10am: Kite Fishing- Capt. Brant McMullan
11am: Artificial lures for Speckled Trout- Capt. Jacob Frick
12pm: Targeting Blackfin Tuna- Capt. Brant McMullan
1pm: Monster Redfish- Capt. Jeff Williamson
2pm: Cast net throwing lessons- OIFC staff
- Line Spooling Promotion- reels spooled at $.02/yd *be sure your reel has no line on it
- Overstock sales of 25%-60% OFF name brand tackle and clothing


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Capt. Brant Adds New Fishing Class
April 16 & 17 ( 2 hours land class on evening of the 16th, fishing all day the 17th) A vertical jigging class has been added to Capt. Brant's list of fishing classes he is offering this season. Vertical jigging has been a new, growing technique that has become an important part of the OIFC crew's Gulf Stream fishing experience. Learn the ins and outs of vertical jigging. The land class will be held on Saturday PM and will consist of instruction on proper equipment from rods and reels to braided line to topshots and specific knots used to connect all the parts. In addition, discussion on specific jigs and jigging techniques to target specific species is an important part of the class. The actual full day of fishing will be spent at hot spots such as the Steeples or Winyah Scarp where you'll learn, practice and have success jigging for a variety of species from Blackfin Tuna to Grouper. Vertical jigging has become a very important part of the Gulf Stream fishery as it guarantees a day with bent rods and fish in the box; particularly important when the trolling bite is off. For additional information, click here http://www.oifc.com/Fishing%20School...%20Jigging.cfm

As a reminder, Capt. Brant is also hosting classes on Gulf Stream trolling, Live Bait King Mackerel fishing and Grouper fishing. One of the King Mackerel classes is full and the Gulf Stream class has only 2 spots left. It is recommended if you have interest to go ahead and reserve a spot. Email captbrant@oifc.com


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Offshore Fishing Report
Capt. Brant McMullan: Last weekend the weather offered fishermen the chance to get out and pioneer the 2011 season. Water temperatures from the beach to 50 miles are in the 60-65 degree range. All through this area the water is FULL of Sea Bass. They are as thick as I've ever seen, and bigger than ever. On Saturday, the OIFC crew ran a 1/2 day charter, fishing only 3 miles offshore and reported not being able to get away from 12-16 inch Sea Bass. That's the good news, the bad news is our Federal Government is smarter than we are and thus the fishery is closed. ESPN makes a mint off shows catching and releasing Bass, maybe we ought to think of the same? I believe this fishery is close to getting a resolution as it appears it will likley reopen with a 5 fish per person limit. Kind of like gas prices, raise them high as heck, then drop them back a little to make everyone feel like they've gained something. It is what it is. Anyway, I haven't heard of any Kings to speak of and both Grouper and Snapper are closed- again your government at work. However, the Vermillion Snapper open April 1, so that will offer some options. The main fishery that is viable right now is the Gulf Stream, and this past weekend that was a vertical jigging thing. All the west wind we've been having has kept the warmest 72+ degree water pushed way offshore. As such, the trolling bite has not been happening. However, the OIFC crew guided a group of hard working anglers to the Steeples on Friday of last week for a day of jigging, and action was consistent all day from Blackfin Tuna, False Albacore, Amberjack and monster Sharks. As the weeks progress, the Blackfin Tuna bite should get very good, and when the right water shows up, the Wahoo will show to feed on the Tuna and your fishing lures. April is what I consider the start of Gulf Stream season. That's when we usually see Gulf Stream eddies push inshore and the Wahoo and Tuna start biting. Stay tuned and be ready, it will be here soon.