Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – August 2023
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that flounder fishing remains phenomenal in the area. Schools of bait mullet have been more plentiful, and they make a great choice for hooking into a flatfish.
The arrival of better-sized mullet has helped the red drum action really kick off. In their typical summer patterns, these groups of drum are scattered just about everywhere, but the live mullet has seemed to increase strikes.
Targeting areas of oysters or other hard structures with fresh cut shrimp has produced some black drum.
Nearshore anglers are finding a decent spanish mackerel bite off the beach.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream trollers are seeing some good sailfish action along the edge of the 30 fathom break.
Inside the break, bottom fishing remains a solid summertime staple for anglers. Vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and grouper are providing both good action and quality table fare. Also, in the 80-150’ depth range, there are scattered cobia, king mackerel, and mahi being caught by anglers fishing drift lines while bottom fishing.
If targeting king mackerel specifically, the 65-90’ range has been the best area to focus efforts.
Closer to the beach, spanish mackerel are holding in the 20-40’ range, and the depth depends on water clarity. Anglers will do best targeting the cleanest water.
Pierce Latta, of Charlotte, NC, caught this king mackerel using a live pogie while fishing 30 miles out of Shallotte Inlet.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that menhaden continue to be really plentiful this year, and this bait presence has been great for enticing red drum bites.
Nearshore anglers have found most of the spanish and king mackerel action pushed off the beach and into deeper water. There are fish in close, but the larger ones are staged up over the nearshore reefs. It’s been good practice to start fishing efforts out in the five-mile range.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that moving into these hottest of months, anglers are already starting to see some better-sized finger mullet moving around. The mullet schools will continue to get thicker and will help pop off some improved red drum action, as these fish key in on those baits.
Flounder are being found just about everywhere, and a bottom-rigged finger mullet will easily entice a strike from the flatfish.
Speckled trout are being caught throughout the area with live shrimp. Target the deeper pockets of water around oyster beds along the ICW and in the creek mouths.
When getting off the beach, bottom fishing in the 100’ depth area provides a great opportunity for grouper, vermilion snapper, and various other bottom critters.
Live baiting out in the same range is producing nice-sized king mackerel and the occasional cobia.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that nearshore runs are producing spanish mackerel on the troll, and the most predictable way has been the classic Clarkspoon and planer combo.
Further off, king mackerel and the occasional mahi are being caught in the 80’+ range.
Bottom fishing the deeper structure remains strong, with a wide a variety of bottom species in the mix.
Inshore anglers are catching red drum and the occasional speckled trout.
Sheepshead fishing has been steady for anglers targeting the inshore hard structures. These same areas are also holding some black drum.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing has been hot (like the weather) as we get into the peak summer months. Anglers have been finding a nice mixed bag of grouper, vermilion snapper, amberjack, and some triggerfish.
King mackerel fishing has been steady as well. With so much hot water off the beach, these fish are scattered anywhere from the shoreline out to 100’.
This time of the year also provides some nice opportunities to run offshore and target swordfish.
Cameron Baker, of Raleigh, caught this black drum using a live fiddler crab. He was fishing in the Southport area with Capt. Steven Von Voigt, of Reel Em Up Charters.
Stewart, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that even with summertime heat and rain, anglers are finding some quality speckled trout. The trout action is mostly a really early or really late bite—when conditions are slightly cooler.
Red drum are scattered everywhere, with no strong presence in any one location.
Nearshore anglers are finding spanish mackerel numbers to be good for anglers trolling Clarkspoons off the beach.
Surf anglers are catching a mixed bag of smaller species, as well as sharks in the evening.
Bob, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers have been doing well fishing the bottom. There’s been a mixed bag of croakers, whiting, and pompano.
A lot of spadefish are around as well.
Speckled trout action has kind of tapered off.
Anglers sight-casting plugs for spanish mackerel and bluefish have seen action slow recently. Plenty of fish are still in the nearshore waters, so anglers anticipate the schools pushing back onto the beach any day.
Anglers targeting king mackerel off the end haven’t had much success recently.
