Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – December 2024
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the big player in the area during the winter months are bluefin tuna, which should be migrating down the beach anytime in December and stick around through January. Large schools of jumbo menhaden will be moving down the beach in the 30-60’ water depths, above them will be huge groups of birds, and the birds and bait are the two main indicators for targeting bluefins. Anglers should also target wrecks that are holding bluefish, as the bluefish also attract the bluefin.
Another great winter fishery in the area are wahoo and blackfin tuna. Finding water temperatures in the 72-76 degree range will typically lead to some good action for both of these species.
Schools of king mackerel will typically hold over bottom structure just inside Frying Pan Tower. The kings will hang out in water temperatures that range in the mid- to upper-60s.
Jumbo black sea bass are also on the move and staging up over bottom areas in the 60-90’ range.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that speckled trout are all over the place. With the water temperatures cooling down, anglers are catching them on any tide with just about any bait, whether live or artificial. Most of the specks have been in shallower areas (3-5’) and holding on shell banks along the ICW. The trout usually prefer to feed in cleaner water, so targeting the rise or the very top of the falling tide can add to the chances of success. Overall, it’s a strong class of fish, with most trout in the 17-21” range. Some larger fish (22”+) are mixed in, but the bigger trout haven’t really shown up as yet. They will, though, once temperatures cool down even more and the body of trout push into the creeks.
Black drum action is picking up around many of the hard structures in the area. The deeper (8-10’ range) tends to produce better numbers.
Red drum are moving into their wintertime patterns, as they push shallow and school up in larger groups. Some of the reds will mov outside the inlet where they will hang throughout the winter.
Brian Becmer, of Sunset Beach, caught (and released) this flounder around Tubbs Inlet using live mullet.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers are finding the speckled trout fishing to be absolutely on fire, with both live and artificial baits getting the job done. Live shrimp under a slip cork has been best, but soft plastics such as Bass Assassin or Z-Man grubs have also had a lot of success. Just about any current rip coming off of a shell bank or oyster bar should be holding fish.
As water temperatures drop below 50 degrees, look for the trout to become more lethargic and hang closer to the bottom. Targeting the colder water trout requires fishing much slower.
The red drum bite has been decent, with most of the fish being caught mixed in with the trout. As the water gets colder, anglers will start targeting these reds in shallow waters on the warmer, sunnier days. Soft plastics or topwater plugs will get strikes under these conditions.
Black drum will remain in the area all winter long, with fresh dead shrimp on a Carolina rig being the best setup.
Anglers getting a chance to run offshore are finding the wahoo bite to be really strong in the Gulf Stream. Ballyhoo trolled at 7 knots or high-speed lures pulled at 15 knots will both have success for those starting their efforts anywhere in that 150-200’ range. The area usually sees this good wahoo bite all winter along.
A bunch of king mackerel are still out in the 65-80’ range. These kings will move out quickly as waters cool off even more. Keep an eye on the sea surface temperature shots and try to find areas of 68-degree water or above when looking to target king mackerel.
Another fishery in the colder months is black sea bass, with some larger keepers moving in over bottoms as shallow as 50-80’.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that anglers getting off the beach are still having success targeting king mackerel. The kings will move further off, along with the upper 60-degree water temperatures.
Those that get offshore to do some trolling are catching a mix of wahoo and blackfin tuna, both of which stick around well into the winter months.
The black sea bass bite really kicks off in nearshore waters this time of year.
Jeff Palmer, of Whiteville, NC, caught this 26″, 5.2 lb. speckled trout while surf fishing on Ocean Isle Beach using a Vudu shrimp.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers continue to do well with whiting.
The nearshore bite is quiet, other than a few schools of big red drum moving through.
Further off the beach, the king mackerel bite has been steady. The kings will be moving further offshore as water temperatures continue to drop.
Inshore anglers have been focused on speckled trout. Anglers set up with artificial baits are having the better share of success. MirrOlures are always a favorite, especially when it’s required to retrieve your baits very slowly to entice strikes.
Anglers running offshore will likely find some wahoo around.
The offshore bottom fishing remains strong all winter long, with most of the better quality fish holding in the 150’+ area.
Scott, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers have been landing a bunch of whiting (14-15” range), black drum, and croakers.
A few red drum have been caught.
