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First, let's take a moment to remember those who have and are sacrificing to keep us free to celebrate the 4th of July.

Today was kind of a carbon copy of the previous reports.  Captain Roger and Captain Chris Dew both had half day charters off shore.  They reported a handful of kings and some spanish.  The bait is still hanging just off the beach.  I'm told the barges and the 65 foot hole, along with the Jungle are where it's happening.  Live bait is the ticket, frozen cigar minnows are second.

In shore, Captain Jeff Williamson of the Get Busy reports flounder and trout action are what's happening.  Bait is still thick enough to walk on in the channels and the ICW.  Shrimp have been plentiful, especially in the ICW, if you know where to look, I've promised not to give up exact locations, but if you call me at the OIFC I can point you in the right direction. 

 For those who are "boat deprived", I've received reports of flounder and trout action in the channel at the west end of OIB and at the end of Shallotte Blvd. on the east end of OIB.  I also saw some people down by the Swing Bridge bring in some drum while wading.  The catches have been on frozen shrimp and live mud minnows. " Don't give up hope because you don't have a boat." 

The weather is July 4th great.  Right now we've got a moderate sea breeze, which may not be conducive to boating, but is fantastic for relaxing.  This morning Ocean Isle Beach had a great parade and there are several fireworks displays in the area tonight, the stores are bustling and  the smell of charcoal grills is making everyone hungry.  It's great to see people enjoying the south Brunswick Islands, especially in light of the gas prices.  From us at the OIFC have a happy and safe 4th of July!!!!!!!!

While I'm thinking about it, The Brunswick Beacon reported Wednesday that Sunset Beach is purchasing land beside the old swing bridge to put a boat landing.  It's contingent on being able to cut a channel to the deep water of the ICW.  They are also planning to leave a span of the bridge to make a pier on the inland side. 

The pictures are of Mack and the OIFC's newest addition, Capt. Will's lab Fisher.  The other is Captain Barrett's Parasail Boat calling it a day.

Capt. Chris Dew guided the Sakowizc family from Berthoed, CO aboard his charter boat OIFC 2 to an awesome morning of King Mackerel today.  He reportedly caught Pogies outside Shallotte inlet and fished the Jungle area.  Pictured are a pair of 28's and others in the 15-20 pound range.  Capt. Roger had a few Dolphin from the 70 foot hole and Capt. Chris Burrows had a few kings and Dolphin from the 65 and 70 foot holes.  Bite is pretty good right now and lots of Pogies on Ocean Isle Beach.

Captain Rudy and Boston Rob on the World Cat get top billing today as they brought a 28 lb king to the dock.  Along with him they had several more kings, Rudy said he had them stacked up like cord wood, but I'll let you decide on the validity of that description,  they also had some  amber jacks and a bunch of sharks.  They lost only one fish today, so maybe that bad luck is out of the boat.  Boston Rob said the most productive lure was the pink C H Lures Smoker Choker.  They also reported action around the 65 Foot Hole and the Atlantic Ledge.

Captain Chris Dew on the OIFC 2 had a good day around the 90's.  His charter landed several kings, a 4.5 lb. Spanish mackerel (they should have been in the Rodeo) and a citation barracuda.

I don't have pictures because I went inshore fishing today.  Jeff and I finally got the skunk out of the boat by catching a few flounder. Most were not keepers, but a couple were.  We caught them in the ICW and the Shallotte Inlet using mullet minnows.  Speaking of minnows, the bait, to include shrimp was crazy thick.  We had enough after two throws to last the day.  It's no secret where to look, the channels and the ICW.  We also watched an angler on a blue Triton bay boat put the smack on the red drum.  I wanted to get his name and some pictures, but didn't want to mess up his fishing.

We have a lunar tide going on so for you inshore guys be careful.  At low tide there is no getting into Tubbs.  I saw several people run aground in Tubbs as well as the ICW.  Off shore the ocean was great, ideal for fishing, just like inshore.  The weather is great, it's supposed to drop down to the upper 60's tonight and tomorrow is going to be a carbon copy of today.  Come, enjoy, and stay safe.

Finally, once again the winds have stopped howling and the ocean has laid out.  All our boats had charters ranging from half day to full day.  Fishing wise, though, today seemed to be break off day.

Captain Chris Dew started at the 90's with minimal luck and then moved to the barges, where the bite was on.  His charter hooked up several smaller kings and managed a handful of keepers.  The disappointment of his day was a good sized fish a young lady hooked up with.  After a decent battle they got the king along side the boat and saw it was hooked with one barb in the belly.  They tried to let him wear down, at which time they planned to ease him to the boat, but he started shaking and managed to free himself.  A good fight non the less.

Captain Chris B. and Captain Rudy took the World Cat out.  I'm not sure who's turn it was to be first mate this trip.  But anyway they too suffered break off fever.  Some were bite offs on wire leader.  Chris said they started at the 90's but had their best luck at the 65 foot hole, where they hooked up with kings, a couple cobia and some barracuda.  No real war stories as they were happy with their catch, but bummed over the cut offs.

Captain Roger seemed to be "the man" today.  He had a full day on the OIFC 1 and landed several kings.  They were all busy cleaning their boats getting ready for a busy day tomorrow so I didn't get a real chance to put the "Clark Kent" on him.

It was good the see the docks full of people today.  The charter captains were cleaning their boats, Cody was scrubbing the Tide High parasail boat ( she is a lot better looking than Roger), and  the jet skis were hustling.   It's really great to see people enjoying the beautiful weather and what the Fishing Center and our beaches have to offer.  I think the weather is supposed to hold, so leave the hustle and bustle of work and come relax with us. 

The wind was howling this morning when the OIFC opened, blowing about 20 knots inshore.  Shortly after opening Captain Kyle docked the Speckulator in water that was almost white capping in the channel.  He had a situation as he had a charter booked with Joel Dobbs and his son from Greensboro, N. C.  With the wind blowing, Kyle wasn't sure how good the fishing would be, yet he didn't want to disappoint the Dobbs'.

They decided to give it a try.  The wind did not settle down all day.  When I left  work the waterway was white capping, yet Kyle came to the OIFC with several keeper flounder, and had released twice the amount he kept.

Kyle reported that he fished using mud minnows and finger mullet on a Carolina rig.  Honoring Kyle's request, all I can report is that they were caught "very close to the OIFC".  Kyle said that the wind was blowing so hard that "it blew the shortin' out of his McDonalds biscuit" end quote.

The wind is supposed to subside overnight, and drop to about 10 knots tomorrow.  So hopefully the charter boats and the parasail boats will see some action.  Check out our weather report.

As we hit the peak of the summer vacation season things are all hustle and bustle around the Ocean Isle Fishing Center.  It is during this "crazy" time that thoughts of the more relaxed off-season start to creep into my thoughts.  For most it's difficult to start thinking about the off-season and even more difficult to begin making plans.  However, in case I'm not the only one thinking about what's next, I am reminding everyone about the Traveling Fishermen program that I've lined up for next winter.  We have two awesome trips set up and now we just need the fishermen to make them happen.  Currently the first exotic fishing expedition is slated for mid February and our return to the fertile waters off Montosa in Panama Central America.  After an awesome first trip last year to this location the decision was easy to arrange a return visit.  Check out http://www.oifc.com/travelfisherman_detail.cfm?id=1106 for details on this particular trip or visint the Traveling Fishermen link off this site.  In addition to the Panama adventure we have set up a new adventure to the fabled Galapagos Islands in South America off the coast of Ecuador.  I have been in contact with an operation in the Galapagos since last winter and finally have worked up an truly unique expedition that fits perfectly into the mission of the Traveling Fisherman.  This trip is scheduled for early March when the blue, black and stripe marlin fishing is exceptional.  The Galapagos Islands have long been protected national parks and in recent years have opened up to sport fishing.  From the stories I've heard of not only the amazing fishing but of the incredible onland wildlife and scenery this should be a trip of a lifetime for anyone.  Be sure to check out some of the details for this adventure at http://www.oifc.com/travelfisherman_detail.cfm?id=1109 or visit the Traveling Fisherman link. 

I'm not proclaiming the summer doldrums by any means as the fishing here at home is exceptional right now, but the thought of an approaching offseason is never too far away.  If you're interested in joining one of these exotic fishing adventures next winter or would like some additional information please contact me.  There is limited space on each trip so reservations are first come first serve.   

Don't brag about pretty weather, Mother Nature has a way of getting back at you.  The previous days' weather had been beautiful.  Yesterday morning started out the same way.  We had three boats out in the morning, and they all did well. 

 Captain Chris Dew on the OIFC 2 got into the Kings pretty well using dead cigar minnows on a half day charter.  His biggest disappointment was when an angler set the drag too tight after fighting a great King, to have it break off right at the boat.  That's tough!!

Captains Rudy and Chris B., on the World Cat jigged live bait, a lot being greenies. This helped them enormously in catching Kings, Dolpgin and Cobia. Chris theorized that the cigars minnows are so thick, that the fish will hit something different better.

 The OIFC 1, with Captain Roger at the helm also got into the Kings on a half day charter.  All the Captains said that the 65 foot hole was the hot place to fish for Kings.  Also the pogies were hanging off Shallotte Inlet, but in the white water which made them hard to get to.

That afternoon, the sea said enough!  The wind shifted and picked up.  That put an end to the charters planned for the afternoon.  The wind continued to blow last night.  This morning, there was no breeze, but residual seas were still hanging around.

For us inshore anglers I also have a report.  Congratulations go out to 9 year old Austin Aycock.  Austin took the Double Trouble out with his mom a couple of days ago and scored an inshore slam. AUSTIN  CAPTAINED THE BOAT AND LANDED THE FISH HIMSELF!!  I've stated more than once that he and Tripp Hooks are the future of our fishing.

I talked to Tommy Helms who informed me that after I had seen him in Tubbs, he went on to catch six flounder.  It wasn't in Tubbs, but he wouldn't come off any information as to where he found them.

Also I talked with Captain Steve Prevette who told me he boated several good sized trout around the jetties and behind Sunset.  He also said that he got into some small flounder which weren't worth keeping.

WARNING !!!!! IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH, READ NO FURTHER!!!!  Fortunately  we didn't have any charters  today, which allowed the Captains time to spiff up the boats and rig lures.  Captain Roger was spooling a reel, when he leaned over, slipped and stuck a treble hook on a King rig through his ear.  Don't try that at home.  That  stunt should only be attempted by seasoned Master Captains.  Fortunately for Rog, Dr. Captain Burrows was on hand to cut the barb and pull the hook out.  At Roger's request I took a picture of his handy work and have posted  it on the report....GROSS!!!