Ocean Isle

[rob01302]

Anyone fished out of Ocean Isle during the winter for bluefin? I Have fished in Morehead for a few years and caught them just not down in Ocean Isle. Any info on spots to fish for? Have a friend who has a boat there and wants to try for them. Any help will be great. Thank you

[Capt. Lyndon]

I've caught them both places, however, I feel like I have a better chance in MHC. The fishery down here is actually more off of southport. We usually will fish the knuckle buoy, fairway buoy, raritan, and horseshoe.

[Cane]

Be careful using Shallotte Inlet. It is very shallow and not kept up. I would suggest using the Cape Fear or Lockwood Folly Inlets for those early morning runs. Fishery off of Southport is sporatic at best and a short season. Morehead is a much better option to fish if you really want one

good luck,

[Highflier]

I would agree more fish are typically caught in Morehead. However, there is also more competition for the bites in Morehead than in Southport/Ocean Isle. If you did a statistical analysis of where your chances are better to get bit I think it would be similar in either area. The answer to the question has to be where you have the most confidence or understand the dynamics best. For everyone it will be different. For me, I prefer to fish for 5 bites out of 20 boats than 20 bites out of 100 boats.

As for where the fish are down here (Southport vs Ocean Isle), it's all the same really just the angle of the run changes. The fish seem to start off around the knuckle area and then spread out to the west as far as the 65' hole area. The geography matters very little. It's about the food. They'll go where they can eat.

Shallotte inlet is not ideal by any means but is certainly navigable. If you're not very familiar with the inlet I suggest marking it in the daylight first before making the early morning run in the dark.
-Barrett

[Ace1st]

Highflier.......waitin to see that first report of the season. I know you boys are lookin for them?

[rob01302]

Thanks guys, we will be bringing the boat up next week or after Christmas and keeping it up there for January and February. Just don't feel like dealing with the crowd up in Morehead and plus its closer for us so we can drive up there after work and fish the weekend or sneak away for a day and fish.

[WAHOONBOX]

Thanks guys, we will be bringing the boat up next week or after Christmas and keeping it up there for January and February. Just don't feel like dealing with the crowd up in Morehead and plus its closer for us so we can drive up there after work and fish the weekend or sneak away for a day and fish.

WHAT'S THERE TO DEAL WITH? YOU ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT BOATS ARE YA?


THE LAST DAY I FISHED THERE WERE MAYBE 30 BOATS FISHING...

BUT...OCEAN ISLE?....AND THEN THERE'S LINCOLN NEBRASKA......BOISE IDAHO...YEP....I'D GO TO OCEAN ISLE TOO....THE LESS HOOKS THERE ARE HERE THE MORE CHANCE I HAVE

[Highflier]

You're right. Nevermind. No tuna down here. Never has been. Good luck.

[swell rider]

I fish in a smaller boat out of MHC/AB full time both commercially and as a charter boat and have never had a problem during the winter Bluefin fishery or anytime of the year for that matter...Like anywhere you'll have your run ins with other boats but thats just part of the game..The fleet out of MHC as well as the northern fleet that comes down is nothing but accomodating and friendly..Not to knock Ocean Isle Beach but don't believe all the marketing hype that you read in the magizines, I for one live in the Wilmington Area as well as alot of other guys from Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick county's that spend there winter season in MHC chasing BFT, I would love to have the fishery in my back yard but thats just not the case no matter what anyone say's, if guy's were getting 4 or 5 shots a day in Wrightsville Beach/Southport and the Ocean Isle area like the articles in the mag say's the whole fleet would be there..Anyway Good Luck to the boys fishing to the south catch'em up and have a safe season...

[Highflier]

Wow Ken, it's been a while. I need to get up with you for some Alaska info. Hope you're doing well.

I guess I'll have to agree to disagree with you. Let me restate my initial post. I do believe there are more fish in Morehead. I also believe there are more boats fishing Morehead. That's all. The crowd, if that's what you want to call it, is not a problem like you said. In fact I think it helps to locate the fish. Down here the biggest challenge is the lack of boats searching. That, and the fact there are no fish here? I should clarify, once the fish are located I prefer an environment with less boats even it means less total bites among the fleet. I believe the odds are similar on hooking a fish. Hype is exactly what we need down here. We need more looking for fish. Despite my sarcasm above, I assure you there is a viable fishery here. It seems to be improving over the last 3 years as well with more fish brought to these docks last year than ever before. A double digit season for one boat in 2008/09 is something to build on. Morehead is absolutely the king of bluefin fishing ports. For now, we're aspiring to develop the fishery here. We don't have the number of boats or number of fish, but we have enough of both to continue to make an effort. After all, things change. Remember Hatteras about 15 years ago?