Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – August 2024
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that most anglers in the area have been focused on the red drum and flounder action, and the best target area has been structure.
As far as bait goes, shrimp has been really productive, as the finger mullet and menhaden have both been really small. If using mullet and menhaden, a key to success has been putting in the work to find good-sized bait.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that while Gulf Stream trolling trips have a lot of potential to be great, the reality is that the action can be hit-or-miss during the heat of the summer.
One species that certainly does not seem to mind all the hot water are barracuda, which are quite prevalent along the 30-fathom break, an area that anglers typically target for the preferred wahoo and tuna.
Some wahoo are around, though getting through the barracuda has been tough. High speed trolling lures have been the most productive to pick out the scattered wahoo and avoid all the other toothy critters.
This is a good time of year to start targeting sailfish, as they are moving into our offshore waters in good numbers from now into the fall.
The most stable and consistent bite through the heat of summer will be found while targeting the deeper bottom areas. Vermilion snapper, scamp grouper, and plenty of triggerfish are staged up in the 100-150’ range.
Closer to shore, the king mackerel fishing has been a bit slow this year. The fish have been finicky and really weather driven, seeming to prefer days where conditions are stable and the water has had a chance to clear up. Most king action has been in the 55-75’ depth range.
Closer to the beachfront, spanish mackerel have been sporadic. When the water is clean, the spanish will bite much better.
Charlene Cochran, of Shallotte, found this 37″ cobia while fishing 18 miles offshore of Ocean Isle Beach using a pogie. She was fishing with Capt. Riley Atkins of Salt Fever Guide Service.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that the area is dealing with really hot water temperatures, and these conditions have the fish very lethargic. Moving around a lot to find fish willing to bite is often necessary.
The red drum action has been good on both live mullet and menhaden. For both bait species, finding the right size bait really helps. Mullet seems to be outproducing the menhaden, and moving forward, mullet will likely remain as the top bait choice.
A lot of trout are around as well. The better bite has been during a rising tide with the cleaner water and slightly cooler temperatures. Most of these 16-19” trout are staged up closer to the inlet, with live shrimp producing almost all of the action.
Plenty of sheepshead are around docks and other hard structures for anglers fishing fiddler crabs.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that speckled trout fishing has picked back up. Anglers are seeing a class of 13-19” fish staged up in the ICW and just inside mainland creeks (especially when fishing closer to high tide), and a few schools of trout are out around the jetty rocks during the lower tide cycles.
The black drum have started feeding better in deep holes throughout the creeks and around docks. Shrimp on a Carolina rig is all it takes to target that fishery, though be patient with all the extra bait stealers around.
Sheepshead fishing has been steady when targeting docks along the ICW with live fiddler crabs.
Spanish mackerel and kings are both scattered, with spanish mostly along the beach and kings more in the 10+ mile area.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that inshore anglers continue to find some good red drum action. Live bait fished on Carolina rigs is a great option, with artificials such as soft plastics or Vudu shrimp also enticing bites.
A ton of flounder are around, and they will strike the same baits used for targeting redfish.
Spanish mackerel fishing is sporadic, but the best plan is to troll Clarkspoons behind planers.
When opportunities arise to run offshore, bottom fishing remains a steady summertime staple. Target the 150’+ areas to find larger triggerfish and snapper, as well as a chance at one of the keeper grouper species.
Charlie Hatch, of Four Oaks, NC, caught (and released) this 30″ red drum in a creek mouth behind Ocean Isle using a soft plastic swim bait.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers are having a lot of success while bottom fishing. Catches include whiting, croakers, bluefish, pompano, and some sharks.
Inshore, slot-sized red drum are being caught.
Anglers are finding scattered speckled trout. The numbers might not be there, but the size has been pretty good.
Tons of flounder are around.
Anglers fishing shrimp or crabs around structure have been catching black drum and sheepshead. Nearshore, spanish mackerel are being caught by those trolling out in the 30’+ areas. With all the warmer water, getting out a little deeper has produced the better numbers.
King mackerel are scattered from Lighthouse Rocks to the Shark Hole.
Offshore bottom fishing trips are producing triggerfish and black sea bass.
Scott, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been the name of the game, with catches of croaker, whiting, sand sharks, and the occasional pompano.
