Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – March 2023
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that speckled trout action has been starting to pick up in the area’s creeks as we move out of the coolest winter months. Anglers have found action while targeting dock structure towards the backs of the mainland creeks.
Shrimp fished around these same docks are producing a mix of black drum and sheepshead.
Red drum are in their larger schools and are pushed into the mainland creeks. The redfish have been really spooky, and the cleaner waters mixed with ample fishing pressure can keep the reds acting like that until warmer spring temperatures break up the schools and get the fish actively feeding again.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the black sea bass action has been strong, with some nice-sized fish abundant in the 80-100’ range. These are aggressive feeders and will hit just about anything you send to the bottom. Cut baits and squid on double-drop loop rigs will load the box, but some anglers will find enjoyment in fishing lighter 12-15 lb. class tackle with 2-3 oz. jigs.
Closer to the beach, the smaller 10-12” black sea bass are stacked up on structure almost by the millions. There are keepers mixed in, so don’t hesitate to try a few closer spots on the way out.
The other main winter targets are wahoo and blackfin tuna. Chances are the long run has you fishing greener waters in the low 70-degree range, but the wahoo and blackfins are there. There tends to be plenty of false albacore and sharks out there as well, a nuisance when targeting these species. Wahoo anglers can help tilt the odds by high-speed trolling to deter these unwanted bites.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that just after the last of the late season cold fronts is usually when the larger speckled trout start to come back. Most of these early season fish will be staged up around the inlet or structure along the ICW. Areas with good current will be key in locating which areas hold trout, and live shrimp or MirrOlures are the best options.
Red drum are schooled up in holes back in the area’s feeder creeks. They will hang back there until water temperatures start to consistently hold in the upper 60s and low 70s. Slow moving soft plastics on light weight jig heads are best for targeting these redfish.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers are finding the redfish bite to be really good back in the shallows of creeks and along ICW edges. These fish are hitting both artificials and live baits equally well, and anglers are having success with both baits rigged on really light weight jig heads and on light Carolina rigs.
Speckled trout fishing has been fairly slow, but it’s starting to pick up as water temperatures work their way back up. Look for these trout in the same areas as the red drum, as well as out on the jetties. Soft plastic paddle tails and live shrimp will produce most of the trout bites.
Fishing Carolina-rigged shrimp under inshore docks has been producing some nice black drum.
Most of the offshore action has been on blackfin tuna, with some nice wahoo mixed in. The temperature breaks out in 150’+ depths have been a good starting point for finding this trolling action.
Bottom fishing has been producing plenty of the big winter black sea bass. These fish are really aggressive feeders and are hitting any variety of squid, cut baits, or jigs.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that black sea bass action has been really good out in the 10-20 mile range. The deeper end of this range is also producing mixed triggerfish and vermilion snapper.
Offshore trolling trips are mostly finding wahoo and blackfin tuna. The wahoo should pick up moving through March, and the next species to arrive will be mahi, though this may not happen until sometime into April.
Inshore anglers are catching both red drum and speckled trout, with the longer periods of warm weather helping the bite in these cool inside waters.
Surf anglers are starting to see some nice-sized whiting alongside the scattered black drum. The uptick in water temperatures in the coming weeks should only help the surf action.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that weather windows allowing an offshore run have rewarded anglers with some nice-sized blackfin tuna and wahoo. Both high-speed rigs and slower meat trolling tactics are having success on the small temperature breaks holding fish.
There are some king mackerel being caught out in 85’ and around the Tower.
Bottom fishing is another great fishery for these cooler months. Anglers fishing good structure in the 20-40 mile range are catching large black sea bass (to 5+ lbs.), triggerfish, and vermilion snapper.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that speckled trout fishing has been pretty good for anglers fishing MirrOlures and soft plastics pinned on light weight jig heads in the area’s mainland creeks. The schools of red drum are also pushed up in these same creeks, with anglers catching both species side by side at times.
Targeting the deeper holes near structure in these creeks will produce black drum and sheepshead for anglers fishing with shrimp.
Surf anglers have already been catching some croakers. Over the coming weeks, look to see the nice-sized spring whiting moving into the area, and the occasional early bluefish will also round out the surf fishing action.
Nearshore anglers have been catching a bunch of black sea bass. For the most part, the larger fish are being caught out in the 15+ mile range, with plenty of numbers on the shallower structure to keep anglers busy.
There are scattered kings out around the Tower, but with water temperatures and conditions quickly fluctuating this time of year, these fish will move around a bunch.
