Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – July 2022
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that black drum fishing has been excellent. Plenty of fish from 16-20”+ are being caught by anglers rigged with live shrimp. Targeting the mainland creeks during falling tide cycles has been the best way to start fishing efforts. In particular, look for the current rips where smaller creeks are feeding into the main creek.
Speckled trout fishing has been mixed in these same areas, with live shrimp also producing most bites. Trout are being caught out at the jetties, too.
Just off the beach, bottom fishing anglers are finding a few tarpon moving into the area and scattered large red drum.
Spanish mackerel fishing remains strong and will remain so into the next month with a good amount of bait now moved into the area.
Brent and Tessa Aldridge, of Holden Beach, hooked this 25 lb. mahi on a blue and white Sea Witch ballyhoo near the 100/400 in 165′ of water.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream trolling action will be much more scattered, though there will always be the occasional oasis, whether that be grass or floating debris, which will yield good action from dolphin.
The main summertime fishery is the excellent bottom fishing for anglers running out to structure in the 90-130’ depth range. A variety of snapper, grouper, and triggerfish should be ready to cooperate.
It is also highly likely you’ll encounter scattered dolphin, cobia, and king mackerel while fishing a light line in that same range.
The 50-80’ range is typically good for finding king mackerel through the summer. The kings have started off very slowly this summer but are due to show up in good numbers any day now.
Along the beachfront, spanish mackerel fishing has been very consistent this entire season due to the relatively stable weather and lack of rainfall which in turn has made for clear water conditions.
Boomer, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that offshore bottom fishing has been awesome, with many good size scamp grouper out in the 300’ range, and American red snapper and amberjack are absolutely loaded at many of the same offshore grouper holes and ledges.
Mahi have moved into their summer patterns, with fish being caught as close in as 20 miles, but most of the fish that have moved in off the break are smaller and very scattered. Anglers finding areas of bait over structure and some king mackerel action are in the right place for these nearshore mahi.
King mackerel are scattered anywhere from the beach out to the 20-mile range.
Nearshore bottoms in the 80-120’ range are producing really good action on black sea bass, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper.
When out fishing nearshore reefs, anglers should keep their eyes out for cobia that have staged up in this range.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that speckled trout are biting well, with most action being on the higher parts of the tide cycles where water temperatures are slightly cooler. Target areas tight to the grass with live shrimp for the best chance of strikes, but be ready to weed through plenty of smaller “trash” fish while rigged with live shrimp.
Red drum have been a main target for summertime anglers. On the lower parts of the tides, reds have been schooled up on shell banks and cuts along the banks of the ICW. Areas of current are key at these times. As the tide rises, they push tight to oyster beds in creeks or under deep water docks. Live pogies have been the best bait for targeting reds, as well as larger finger mullet (if you find them).
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers have found the flounder bite to be borderline unreal. The waterways are loaded with flatfish in the 15-20”+ range, and they’re being found just about everywhere. Carolina-rigged live menhaden fished around structure has produced most bites.
Speckled trout action is holding steady in the bigger bodies of water. Look for these groups of fish to be around jetties, near piers, out in the surf, and in the ICW. Live shrimp fished under a float rig has been the best setup.
Red drum are staged up around docks in the ICW. They can be caught on either live shrimp or pogies.
Offshore, the king mackerel bite has been good from the beach out to 100’+. Most are being caught on slow-trolled live pogies.
The mahi are mostly still offshore, in the 600-900’ range, and being caught by anglers trolling skirted ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing is producing a variety of species for anglers targeting structure in the 100’+ range.
Charles Kenneth (left), of Sumter, SC, with the 11 lb. 5.4 oz. pompano dolphinfish caught 42 miles off Ocean Isle Beach that is the new state record (and possible world record). He was fishing with Capt. Tyler Hailey (right) of Salt Fever Guide Service out of Ocean Isle.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish are schooled up thick in nearshore waters. Anglers are finding plenty of action while trolling the go-to Clarkspoon and planer combos.
Further offshore, the bottom fish action remains strong, with plenty of keeper black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and triggerfish in the 80-100’ range. There are also grouper on these same structures, with the grouper falling for the larger baits fished on long leader lines.
Scattered mahi and king mackerel are being caught by anglers fishing live baits on drift lines while out bottom fishing.
Teresa, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers are catching croaker and whiting just about everywhere on bottom rigs tipped with fresh shrimp.
Some spanish mackerel are moving in close to the beach, and they can be within casting range of surf anglers in the early mornings.
Inshore anglers have been finding some black drum around the deeper grass banks, and flounder action has picked up a lot, with fish staged up around structure areas and docks. Bottom rigged live baits and soft plastics have gotten strikes from the flatfish.
Nearshore anglers are catching lots of spanish mackerel on Clarkspoons fished under planers.
Terry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing with fresh shrimp has been producing black drum and whiting.
Speckled trout are making a good summer run, with fish being caught both early and late in the day, and spanish mackerel are around, with most schools moving in close during times of calm and cleaner water.
