Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – April 2024
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that red drum are still mostly in winter patterns and are just now breaking out of the schools and spreading throughout the area. As more bait arrives inshore, anglers hope to see these fish fire up and start feeding more actively.
Black drum have been biting well around area docks and oysters. Carolina-rigged shrimp works great for the black drum, and they make an easy target on those windier days when you need to find areas with shelter.
Speckled trout haven’t quite kicked off yet. Some warmer weather to heat up the water in the coming weeks should push the trout out of the creeks and into the ICW and along the jetties.
Credle Harris and Ethan Caudle found these 26″ and 24″ speckled trout while floating live shrimp along the Little River jetties. They were fishing with Capt. Tripp Hooks of Capt’n Hook Outdoors.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the wahoo and blackfin tuna action out in the Gulf Stream should hit its peak in April, as catches are predicted to be excellent all month.
Around the end of the month, the area usually starts to see some of the first dolphin of the year.
Grouper season is closed in April, but there are plenty of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and black sea bass to fill the void.
Closer to the beach, anglers are already looking for Atlantic bonito. These fish prefer the cooler waters (below 65 degrees) and tend to hang out over structure in the 50’ and shallower areas. On the days with nicer weather, anglers will be able to find them in a feeding frenzy on the surface.
Right on the bonito’s heels will be the first push of spanish mackerel, which typically show up when we go above the 65-degree mark.
April can also see the first king mackerel show up closer to the beachfront, if we get a good push of bait.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that speckled trout numbers are really good, with anglers seeing the most success fishing live shrimp. Targeting the falling end of tide cycles has been best, as the fish are a little more active. A few trout are already checking out topwaters, but the bite isn’t quite there just yet.
Good numbers of red drum (20-23” range) are starting to break out of their larger winter schools and spread out. Most of these fish are still holding in those shallower (1-3’) depths and hitting 3” soft plastics. Baits like the Z-Man MinnowZ in a darker color pattern have been a recent favorite when cast up near oyster edges. Some reds are also being caught out near the inlets as they move in and out of the surf zone.
If you are on the water in between tide swings, this can be a good time to target black drum. Targeting docks with some bottom-rigged shrimp is all that’s needed.
Fishing has been really good inshore, so there hasn’t been much reason to pop out of the inlet. For those that do go look, they can find some black drum staged up around and over nearshore structures.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that red drum action has been really good for anglers targeting the schools back on the flats. These fish are starting to push up against the grass, especially those banks with some structure such as oysters.
Black drum fishing has been steady for anglers fishing bottom-rigged shrimp around docks or in holes near oyster beds.
The speckled trout bite has really improved, with the warmer temperatures having these fish on the move. Trout are now being caught outside of the creeks, along the ICW, and in the main rivers near Shallotte and Calabash.
Anglers looking to get offshore have had to really battle against wind conditions over the past few weeks, but those who found a small window have enjoyed a good wahoo bite, with blackfin tuna also in the mix.
Bottom fishing has been a nice in-between choice for anglers just looking to break the inlet, with nice-sized black sea bass being caught as close as the 15+ mile areas.
Alex Summers, of New York, reeled in this striper fishing in the Little River ICW. He was using a live shrimp.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing remains the most consistent bite, almost guaranteeing to fill the cooler. Anglers have been catching keeper black sea bass in the 60’+ area.
Targeting the deeper bottoms (closer to 100’) will produce vermilion snapper and triggerfish.
Runs out to the Gulf Stream are finding wahoo and scattered blackfin tuna.
April also sees the possibility of some yellowfin tuna arriving in our area, as they have in years past.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that the best bite to target lately has been the whiting that have loaded up at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Anglers are having success fishing bottom rigs with pieces of shrimp in the deeper holes.
Wind patterns have not been favorable to head outside the inlet, though anglers anticipate seeing bluefish showing next (with a few catches already from local piers).
Inshore anglers are doing well targeting red drum and black drum. Both species are still mostly in cold water patterns and schooled up around structure.
Speckled trout action has been okay, but only okay, with anglers looking forward to water temperatures moving up a bit more to get these fish moving.
Donnie, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been picking up, with nice catches of whiting and scattered pufferfish.
Anglers started seeing some smaller bluefish mixed in, a great sign moving into April that the action is just about to fire off.
