Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – April 2023
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the deeper holes near the inlet have seen good numbers of whiting and pufferfish move in as they do each spring. Those looking to just casually soak some lines will find plenty of action on these tasty fish.
Speckled trout are holding in the creeks but are starting to work their way out into the deeper water areas. Some of the larger fish are also getting more active as water temperatures creep up.
Red drum remain in their larger winter schools for the most part. The bite hasn’t picked up a bunch, but this really changes as bait moves inshore and gets these reds to break out into smaller groups.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that offshore anglers are seeing action really ramp up on both wahoo and blackfin tuna. Add in a couple early season dolphin, and you have the makings of a successful offshore run.
Grouper season will still be closed in April, but vermilion snapper and large black sea bass provide plenty of action in the 100’ range.
Nearshore, the Atlantic bonito will start running through as water temperatures move into the low 60s. Trolling #1 Clarkspoons behind #2 planers and 30’ of leader is a great setup for scouting these schools when they aren’t on the surface. Target the nearshore structures and especially areas of bird activity in the 40-60’ depth range. If these schools do start feeding on the surface, light tackle spinning setups with Stingsilvers or similar glass minnow jigs will attract strikes.
As these nearshore water temperatures move into the mid-60s, anglers can expect to see some spanish mackerel start mixing into the action.
Brianna Settle, of Houston, TX, with a 26″ trout caught using a mud minnow on a split shot rig. She was fishing near Sunset Beach, NC, with Capt. Tim Disano of Tideline Charters.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that trout have been moving out of the really shallow areas and out onto deeper banks with current. Target areas with 6-9’ depths and nearby structure. The coming weeks present a good opportunity for anglers to target the larger trout as they become less lethargic with warmer water temperatures.
The red drum are still holding in tight schools when you can find them. There are pockets of bait holding back shallow in the creeks that are good areas to target the drum. Smaller 3-4” soft plastic swim baits have worked well for scouting out these areas.
For the drum and trout, live shrimp have also been producing really well.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that speckled trout fishing is starting to get better as we move into spring. Cooler inshore water temperatures have kept these fish from really breaking out of their creeks, but now fish are staging up deeper and around current seams as they more actively feed. It has been a pretty good class of trout being found all winter (to 20”+), so anglers look forward to more strikes from keeper fish.
Red drum are largely still holding on the shallow flats in creeks and along the ICW. As the water temperatures warm up, these fish will start feeding more actively and not being so timid around baits thrown their way.
Offshore anglers are starting to see the wahoo and blackfin tuna action picking up in the 150’+ depth range. More favorable fishing conditions offshore should really see some nice fish caught in the coming weeks.
King mackerel patterns haven’t changed much with water temperatures being cooler along the beaches. A run of stable weather should start to push these fish further into areas around 20 miles as they hang in the upper 60-degree water temperatures.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that surf anglers are starting to see some good action on whiting and black drum as the slowly warming beachfront waters are bringing in more fish.
Whiting action has also been really good in the deeper river channels, with anglers having the most success using bottom-rigged shrimp.
Offshore action has been pretty light with weather conditions keeping many anglers from targeting this area. Most that look to run out of the inlet during these shorter weather windows have been heading straight offshore to get in on the strong wahoo and blackfin tuna bite. These runs could also start seeing some mahi mixed in as early as the middle of April.
Bottom fishing out near the Tower remains a great option for larger black sea bass, pinkies, grunts, and vermilion snapper.
Jonathan Lanier, of Winnabow, landed this 6.9 lb. sheepshead using live shrimp on a slip cork rig in the Ocean Isle Beach area. He was fishing with Capt. Hunter Williams of Dockside Fishing Charters.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that wahoo and tuna are biting really well for anglers able to take advantage of a weather window to make the run. This early season bite presents a good opportunity to target the larger wahoo (to 60+ lbs.).
Blackfin tuna are also plentiful out on the break, and favorable weather patterns in the future should produce plenty of action.
King mackerel are holding out near the Tower as they wait for warmer water temperatures nearshore.
When out that way, bottom fishing is another great option to put some meat on the boat. There are plenty of large black sea bass and mixed vermilion snapper staged over these structures out in 80’+ depths.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that whiting are starting to push in and stage up in the deeper channels and out along the surf zone. Anglers fully anticipate this bite picking up much more in April as weather patterns stabilize.
Inshore anglers are seeing the speckled trout starting to become more active as these water temperatures slowly creep up. Look for these schools to begin moving out of their wintering areas and moving toward the creek mouths and ICW.
Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers are catching pufferfish and are starting to see the whiting action pick up.
