Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – November 2022
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that speckled trout are starting to show up in better numbers now that water temperatures are starting to move into their fall norms. Anglers are targeting these trout around areas with both structure and a little bit of current flow. Vudu shrimp and soft plastic jerk shads are a couple of the successful lures for this fishery.
Smaller red drum have been a bit scattered but feeding well as they take advantage of the coming end of the fall mullet run.
There are black drum mixed in the action for anglers fishing fresh dead shrimp around areas of structure.
Nearshore anglers are catching some kings close to the beach, with the more consistent bite being further offshore, and a few bull red drum are being caught nearshore as well.
Crystal Babson, of Ocean Isle, landed this red drum on cut menhaden in the Ocean Isle area. She was fishing with Capt. Austin Kerr of Fellowship Charters.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that fall king mackerel fishing has had a relatively slow start (with the water being stirred up). Calmer weather patterns should get the kings feeding strong again in the 50-65’ range.
Wahoo is another great fall fishery for anglers running out to the break. They move in with cooler weather to feed on the migrating bullet tuna. Trolling larger ballyhoo rigged with dark-colored skirts or high-speed setups will mimic the baits they are feeding on.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that fishing in the backwater has been phenomenal. The speckled trout bite has really turned on for anglers fishing live shrimp under floats, and the incoming tides have been most productive for fishing some of these deeper structured areas with a bit of current. Larger soft plastics such as Z-Man Trout Tricks have also had a good bit of success.
Black drum are around in great numbers. Anglers are finding action at the same areas that are holding trout: deeper holes with structure. The main difference for black drum action is to put the shrimp on a bottom rig.
The bull drum bite never really materialized back to the pre-hurricane level, but fishing live or dead pogies outside the inlets on a slack tide is still producing a fish or two.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that speckled trout are starting to chew on the shell banks along the ICW and near oysters back in mainland creeks. The mid to high tide cycles have been best for getting on the trout bite. Float a live shrimp under a slip cork just off the bottom.
This same shrimp rigged under a cork will also produce strikes from black drum and redfish.
Most of the black drum around have been in the 14-20” range. When strictly targeting them, fish a fresh dead shrimp on the bottom around structure in waters around the 6’ range. These areas on a lower tide have produced the most action.
The bull red drum bite is starting to slow, but there are a few still to be caught. A live or cut menhaden fished on the bottom will do the trick.
Off the beach, the king mackerel action has been on fire in the 65-80’ range. They are hitting both live and dead cigar minnows slow-trolled over live bottom areas.
Grouper action has been picking up, with fish starting to push in shallower as water temperatures cool. Bottom structure in the 60-100’ range has been holding some gag grouper willing to strike both live and dead baits.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that with cooler water temperatures, the speckled trout are starting to be found by anglers working edges of the ICW. Topwater plugs are great for scouting out these schools, and success is also found with MirrOlure MR-17s or MR-27 suspending lures. If all else fails, a live shrimp fished under a slip cork is sure to entice a bite (if fish are there).
Anglers fishing the surf are finding some larger pompano (to 2+ lbs.) and sea mullet while fishing shrimp on the classic two-hook bottom rig.
Offshore anglers are catching some nice wahoo (many over 50 lbs.) out along the break while pulling ballyhoo with black and purple Ilanders or Nomad DTX Minnow deep diver plugs.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that offshore anglers have been happy to see the wahoo and tunas really start showing up steady. At times fishing has been good enough to be producing double-digits of both species, with sizes also being of nice quality to match.
There is a bunch of debris offshore from the past storm that is still holding some mahi.
Bottom fishing for gag grouper has been pretty good as these fish push around structures in the shallower (65-85’) range.
King mackerel fishing has overall been pretty tough this year. The fish have been scattered all season, and the beachfront action has been a bit slow. The most consistent bites have come from targeting bottoms out in the 65-80’ area.
Josie Oja (age 8) and Mark Oja caught (and released) this 26″ black drum on live shrimp in the Oak Island area.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that there has been some great red drum fishing, with catches in a variety of sizes from under-slots to bulls.
A few nice-sized trout are being hooked.
The deeper inshore holes are producing some nice bottom fish, with catches of whiting, croakers, and some spot.
Surf fishing is strong for anglers looking to do some bottom fishing. Croakers, black drum, pompano, red drum, and some whiting are all part of the action.
Schools of bluefish are feeding on bait pushed into the surf, and they’re being caught by anglers casting jigs.
Nearshore anglers are still finding plenty of spanish mackerel around, but this bite will be tapering off very soon.
Some king mackerel are mixed in just off the beach, with the more consistent bite further out.
Rob, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing anglers have been having plenty of success. Fresh shrimp has produced a nice mixed bag of black drum, croakers, and good-sized whiting. A lot of really nice-sized sheepshead have also been caught.
