OIFC News & Fishing Report August 2010

 

 

The Summer season has been in full swing here at the OIFC and we've been working as hard as we can to provide quality services to island residents, home owners and guests. Thanks to the many that have visited and continue to visit, we appreciate your patronage.

 

The fishing has been up and down this Summer as various fisheries peak and lull in activity. The King Mackerel fishing reached a climax in early July, but has been inconsistent since. A saving grace for our nearshore half day charters (fishing 10-15 mile range), which are normally targeting Kings has been the abundance of oversized Spanish Mackerel. Spanish in the 3 to 6 pound range have been very plentiful and consistent all Summer. Catch several big Spanish, throw in a King Mackerel or two and maybe a Mahi or Cobia and you've made for a nice half day trip. When we have longer trips that enable us to get out to the 80-90 foot depth range we've found Kings more consistent, also mixed with the occasional Mahi, Cobia or Sailfish. The Grouper fishing is starting to improve as they move closer to shore. Currently the majority of Grouper seem to be holding around the 100 foot depth mark as they prep to move closer to shore in September and October. Also, many folks, myself included write the Gulf Stream trolling off until at least September. However, just this morning I got a report from good fishing friend Jeff Martini of North Myrtle Beach who fished the Winyah Scarp area yesterday. He reported little activity along the typical 150-200' depth ledges, but as he moved offshore to 300 feet he found birds, bait and fish. Jeff reported large schools of bailer Mahi. He also had a quad hookup of Blackfin Tuna and boated a 30 pound Wahoo; all to complete the Carolina Slam- in August none the less. That's nearly as good as we were seeing in the Spring. The other piece of the fishing puzzle that I expected to hear from Jeff was regarding Sailfish sightings. This is the time of year when Sailfish are most prevalent off our coast. And of course, a perfect lead in to remind you that First Annual Cape Fear Sailfish Classic will be hosted from the OIFC weekend after this weekend- August 12-15. Bob and Will Newell ( long time Ocean Isle fishermen ) are directing the event. Here is a note and information from them on the new Sailfish tournament:

 

CAPE FEAR SAILFISH CLASSIC

 

Attention all anglers! It’s time to get ready for the Inaugural Cape Fear Sailfish Classic! Check out the website at www.capefearsailfishclassic.com. This is a one of a kind, don’t miss, fun event for all anglers and boats of all sizes. The event targets the beautiful and sporty Atlantic sail, found this time of year at most every nearshore reef or ledge that holds bait. You and your crew will fish inside the boundaries, roughly out to the Tower, east to the WR-4 off Wrightsville, and West as far as the Jungle/Hammer area. This is all release, circle hook fishing, with prizes for first fish, most releases daily, as well as overall. We will also weigh dolphin daily. The sponsors include the OIFC as host site, Atlantic Marine, Cape Fear sportswear, the GPS Store, Sea Tow, and Red Oil, a unique antiseptic product tailor made for those fishing cuts and scrapes and bruises. This event has been designed to accommodate anglers from both sides of the shoal, with committee boats recording releases at Wrightsville and off Ocean Isle, also a weigh in for dolphin at Atlantic Marine. Maybe a little Shoal challenge will develop!

 

Come for the Captains meeting and dinner on the 12th; tournament Chair Bob Newell and his son Will will be cooking a pig, with the fixings supplied by Sharkey’s.

 

Learn first hand the techniques of rigging ballyhoo for circle hooks, including the easy and all new “chin weight hooks” Anglers will fish Friday and Saturday, with a hot dog cookout on Sunday to award the prizes and present the beautiful and perpetual Cape Fear Sailfish Classic trophy. Since this is a first time event, the prize money is not huge, it’s all about the sport of hunting for these beautiful fish, but there is more than adequate money to keep you interested. As you have seen in the fishing reports, there have been a lot of fish released this year, with areas such as the 90’s the Jungle, and the Shark Hole all producing fish.

 

Don’t miss this, come for the Captains meeting and dinner, tee shirts and captains bag at 3-8 on Thursday, at least one representative of each boat must be there for the rules and to pick up the required release cameras for each day. Will & Bob Newell -Email with questions

 

The OIFC does have charter boats available to fish the tournament. Email or call (910) 575-3474.

 

We at the OIFC look forward to hosting the event and hope you will join the hunt for the Sailfish.

 

That's pretty much the happenings here on the coast. There's nothing like a nice sea breeze to take the heat out of the day; and it has been hot! Stop by the OIFC when you're down and say hello. We are always available with the latest information and supplies to help you catch more and bigger fish.

-- Capt. Brant

 

2010 Events to Remember

* Fall Brawl King Classic- October 22-24, 2010

* OIFC Hatteras King Mackerel Tournament- November- exact dates TBA

* Capt. Kyles Inshore Classic- November 26-27, 2010

 

OIFC TRAVELLING FISHERMAN UPDATE

 

Hello Traveling Fishermen!

 

 

In one word the best way I can describe this new trip is that it will be a true “ADVENTURE”. So….drum roll….the 2011 OIFC Traveling Fisherman destination is the Galapagos. I’ve talked about this trip for a couple years but finally I have been able to hook up with the right operation at a reasonable cost. The essential details are as follows:

 

 

Depart the US Jan 30 and arrive Ecuador Jan 30. Stay the night in Guyaquill, EC at 5 star hotel. Jan 31 depart Ecuador for San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos by plane. Afternoon of Jan 31 settle into hotel on San Cristobal a couple tours available (snorkeling and wildlife) both very awesome. Feb 1, 2, 3, and 4 are fish days. Feb 5 fly back to Ecuador. Feb 6 fly back to US.

 

 

The Galapagos are extremely protected and thus the wildlife and fishing are unimaginable. If you thought Panama was wild this place will amaze you. As far as the fishing goes, the target species plane and simple is marlin. There is an abundance of marlin in this area mostly stripe marlin but blues and blacks are also common. The typical day is between 15 and 25 shots at marlin. The plan is to fish 4 anglers per boat. We are limited to 12 anglers on this trip. If there are any groups of three that want to fish just 3 to a boat that is possible but the cost increases slightly. I will be posting the full itinerary and trip details (cost, accommodations, ect) onwww.oifc.com shortly. Anyone who wants to talk details email me, Capt. Barrett McMullan.

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean Isle Fishing Center

65 Causeway Drive-Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469

(910) 575-FISH - www.oifc.com