Ocean Isle Beach, NC 
United States
United StatesOIFC News & Fishing Report
Submitted by Ocean Isle Fishing Center
Submitted on 04/23/2010Fishing Spot:
Greetings from the Ocean Isle Fishing Center,
I am finally able to write with confidence and excitement that Spring fishing is underway. The Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna bite has been red hot offshore,the Atlantic Bonito have shown up near shore and the Speckled Trout and Flounder are biting inshore. It's been a slow process breaking free from the grip of Winter, but I believe we have done it. It's nothing but bent rods and screaming reels from here on.
FAR OUT SHOOT OUT - tuna, dolphin, wahoo rodeo
May 8-15, 2010
Ocean Isle Fishing Center
- Fish 1 out of 8 days
- Pays 1st-3rd overall and 1st and 2nd for largest Tuna, Dolphin & Wahoo
- Entry remains open thru May 14th
- Enter on-line, by mail or visit the OIFC
- Event #1 of 3, Master's Tournament Series ( All you Jolly Mon and Fall Brawl fisherman, this is for you)
Fishing is heating up as it does every year for this event. Make plans to participate in a great event, with great fishing. CLICK HERE for tournament rules, entry, prize structure....... We hope to see you at the Far Out Shoot Out.
JOLLY MON RACING UPDATE
Welcome the newest entertainment venue for Jolly Mon King Classic fans and participants. The Jolly Mon has branched out into NASCAR racing by sponsoring a local team. The Jolly Mon Racing team competes at Myrtle Beach Speedway in the Late Model WHELEN ALL-AMERICAN series. The driver is Justin Milliken, crew chief- Tiny Guyton, lead mechanic- Willie Grainger, owner- Jamie Milliken. The Jolly Mon Racing team will be racing at Myrtle Beach Speedway this Saturday, April 24th. Races start at 8pm, so come out and cheer on the Jolly Mon Racing team. Myrtle Beach Speedway is located at the intersection of Hwy 501 and Hwy 31, approximately 40 minutes south of Ocean Isle. It's good family entertainment, hope to see you there.
CAPT. BRANT'S GULF STREAM CLASSES
I am hosting a class this Sunday PM with fishing Monday, weather permitting. I have 1 spot open for this class. I have another class scheduled for Sunday PM May 9th with fishing on Monday, May 10th. This class will be competing in the Far Out Shoot Out; I have 3 spots open for this class. For class details CLICK HERE - then EMAIL or call (910) 575-3474 to reserve a spot.
FISHING REPORT
Gulf Stream- Fishing really came to life here this past week as a beautiful eddy kicked in from the Gulf Stream; with it came 73-75 degree, blue water and MUCH better fishing than we've been seeing. If you don't get satellite imagery shots before you go fishing, you are missing out. I recommend using Realtime-Navigator or Terrafin;whatever you use, check out the eddy we have going right now, classic. Anyway, I assembled a crew of family members to participate in the annual Martinis Hook-A-Hoo Wahoo Rodeo, and we fished on Tuesday. Conditions were great as we chose to high-speed troll artificials in the Black Jack hole vicinity. We landed 4 Wahoo and missed a couple of others: 34, 39, 56 and 74 pounds. Currently the 74 is leading the 51 boat tournament field, but half the field has yet to compete, so it is definitely wide open. Regardless of our finish, that's pretty strong Wahoo fishing. Also in abundance are Blackfin Tuna. They were particularly thick at the Steeples and many boats were able to cast topwater plugs for them. If you want to target Blackfin by trolling, scale down tackle and troll small 1/2 ounce feathers way back in your spread. There were a few scattered Dolphin around, but the main body of fish has not yet shown; it's still early. If you've been holding out for a good report to prompt you to the Stream, this is it.
Offshore (20-50 miles)- This range has not yet matured to its potential. The water is warming into the upper 60's, but the King Mackerel have yet to move into the area in concentration. There are plenty of big Sea Bass and Vermillion Snapper AND Grouper, but the Grouper season won't open until May 1st. When it does, here we come; they are out there and they are hungry.
Nearshore (out to 20 miles)- the Atlantic Bonito are here! They have finally shown as water temperatures have reached the 62-65 degree range. Coming in from the Stream on Tuesday I passed school after school outside of Little River inlet from as far as 10 miles out to as class as 3 miles from the inlet. There were birds feeding over the schools and some were busting the surface. These are great fish to target for their hard fight and incredibly good eating. However, they won't be here long, only a couple weeks at most. Hotspots are typically the nearshore AR's, 390/390 area and General Sherman wreck area. Also the Sea Bass are plenty thick over structure in this range as well and don't be surprised to catch a Flounder or two mixed in with the Sea Bass as they are migrating shoreward.
Inshore- The Speckled Trout bite has been improving, but its honestly been hard fishing for them due to the hot bite from Redfish, Flounder and yes, Stripers. This Spring there have been quite a few Stripers being caught in the Little River area, some upwards of 20 pounds. The Flounder bite has also been much better than normal for this early in the year, particularly hot in the Cherry Grove area. Also of note is the hot Sea Mullet (Whiting) bite that has been happening in the mouth of the Cape Fear; talk about some good eating!
No more excuses for waiting to go fishing. The proof is not only in the report, it's in the pictures. Come on down to the beach and visit us at the OIFC. We're stocked with everything you need to catch whatever you're after, and we're happy to share additional know-how if it will help you catch more fish. Follow our reports at www.OIFC.com as we usher in the 2010 fishing season. See you on the water- Capt. Brant.
Ocean Isle Fishing Center
65 Causeway Drive-Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 575-FISH - www.oifc.com
