NC Surf Fishing

[brents]

I am headed to NC this weekend for a couple weeks in Ocean Isle. This is right next to the intracoastal waterway. I have next to no experience saltwater fishing, much less surf fishing. I am an avid fresh water fisherman.

I have a solid rod and reel, and seine that I am taking with. I need help with knowing what species of fish are going to be available this time of year. I understand there are some flounder, and spotted trout around here. What else might I find, and whats the best bait to use.

Also, I am a surf fishing newbie, I am associating it with fishing below a dam. Any tips for for me, what to expect, how to find the fish. I have read to lookout for sand bars, the wave troughs between them are good spots. What else? Anyone fished this area before? Thanks for all your help!

 

[MJS]

Re: NC Surf Fishing

dont know about ocean isle, but the icww dooes have flounder and trout, use a carilina rig with a pinfish or mullett. fish it slow

 

[mstan55]

Re: NC Surf Fishing

Fish the shallotte inlet (East end of the island) at high tide.

Also, there is a new fishing area with a nice new pier on the intercoastal side near the east end. Get there early (before sunrise) because every time I pass by there are plenty of people there.

Drop into the Ocean Isle Fishing Center and ask about the area. They are real nice there and can point you in the right direction. If you feel brave rent a kayak from them for a morning and paddle the creeks behind the west end of the island. There are many a flounder, trout, & redfish back there.

Have fun. I'll be down there this weekend too so hopefully the fish will be biting!

 

[marine4003]

Re: NC Surf Fishing

Brents..
How did it go? i live in OIB, inshore is great right now..

 

[BigBK]

Re: NC Surf Fishing

Just got back from Soouthport/ Oak Island and the weather was real windy.
caught a few Blues, crockers, and drums. BUT!!!! Caught a whole lot of sharks... sand, dog and blacktips. 2 lemons and one hammerhead. Three were over 5'. Bob

 

[brents]

Re: NC Surf Fishing

I just got back. Fishing was fantastic, I fished the inlet mostly around high-tide and did quite well. I caught some speckled trout, and several suckerfish. The new pier mstan55 was talking about actually turned out wonderful for shrimp and crab. I would go there daily looking for bait, and end up with a whole lot of shrimp and crab. I caught a bunch of shrimp and crab from a cast net there. On the West side of the pier I actually set up several posts with chicken backs attached and averaged approx 10 keeper crab an hour. My wife was very pleased.

Fishing at OIB is fantastic right now. I spent a couple mornings west of the inlet in the surf in front of the house. I caught in total 7-10 small shark, the largest weighing around 12lbs.

Caution to swimmers, we stepped on a lot of fish (shark) while swimming in the public access areas. Although they are small right now, they are there.