Spectacular Ocean Isle Skunking

[scwunc]

Well our weekend in Ocean Isle didn't turn out as well as we had hoped, but it was certainly not from lack of trying. We fished the northern inlet and the pier for a combined total of about 14 hours over Sat and Sun and finished the weekend with 2 stingrays. We threw everything and the kitchen sink at the fish and still had nothing to show. We fished live menhaden, dead menhaden, fresh mullet, fresh shrimp, and gulps on every type of rig and jig and even threw Gotcha plugs. A few folks were catching some small blues and spanish from the pier on silver Gotcha's with red heads but not while we were there. I don't think I've ever seen a time when you could cast out a 4 inch fresh menhaden on a Carolina rig and leave it in the water for 2 hours with nothing even taking the bait off the hook. Sat afternoon there were about 30 folks on the pier for the 3 hours we were there and I only saw one 12 inch blue caught the whole time.

I've always said that just being on the water was what I enjoyed and that catching fish was a bonus. This weekend really put that to the test. I know that Ocean Isle isn't Hatteras, but what was going on? Did the front shut everything down? Has anyone ever done well down there?

-Scott

[Rosco]

I've fished Ocean Isle from the surf and pier quite a few times with varying methods and have had little luck. Why the fishing there is so hit and miss (mostly miss) remains a mystery to me. If anyone out there can offer some input I'd appreciate it.

[fish4kings104]

I think that it is really flat and shallow but i dont know if that has to do with anything..

[scwunc]

I spent a good deal of time looking at sounding charts before the trip and found a little more drop at the northern inlet where we fished but mostly the beach is shallow and featureless.

[bluerunner]

My dad caught a short flounder in teh intracoastal behind ocean Isle saturday or sunday i forget which.

[FishFrenzy]

September is the best time for Ocean Isle. I'll be there Labor day weekend. Alot of fish there at that time.

[Elkhunter]

Been There Done That!!!
Like others have stated a flat featureless beach is the issue.
The beach replentishment a few years back saw to that...:rolleyes:
There is decent fishing later in the season from the pier and surf. They usually have a good spot run from the pier and surf.
I usually fish the backwater. Good flat fish and specks in some areas. So yes I tend to pull the boat if i'm going there. Makes it easier and the Kids always want a boat ride.... Just means dad can sneak in a little fishing. ;)

[French]

I caught a ton of spots the only time I went to ocean isle, but no "meat eaters."