Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – November 2023
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the wahoo fishing along the break is on fire with these water temperatures changes. Traditional trolling with skirted ballyhoo or high-speed tactics have both been yielding excellent results. A bunch of sailfish are in these same waters for anglers looking for a challenge. Grouper season closing was a damper on the bottom fishing action, and that news matched with the American red snapper season staying closed despite large numbers of fish can persuade many to avoid bottom trips. The good news, though, is that there is plenty of meat to be had, from vermilion snapper and triggerfish to black sea bass. King mackerel fishing hits its peak at the end of October, and the king bite will remain strong in the 60-80’ range well into November. Most strikes are coming off live bait, particularly menhaden or cigar minnows. However, dead baits will also pull strikes when the fish are hungry.
Zach Hood, of Holden Beach, caught this 52″ red drum fishing just offshore of Holden Beach using a mullet.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that the weather changes have finally started to drop water temperatures into that zone that gets speckled trout fired up. The specks are just starting to move in, and anglers will do best by targeting ledges and creek mouths. Most of these early season fish have been smaller (to 19”), but it won’t be long before some of the larger ones are caught over the typical late fall structures. Be sure to look for spots that have some good current, and for now, take advantage of all the bait around and fish with live shrimp. These inside areas will also produce slot red drum, which are mostly scattered during this fall transition. The bull red drum are still around, and anglers have had a great time chasing them. Target the schools of pogies off the beach, and if that fails, there will still be a few fish caught in the inlet.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that anglers have found the bull red drum bite to continue on strong around the inlets and on bait pods off the beach. A live or dead menhaden has been the favorite bait of choice for getting a big strike. Slot and under-slot reds have been chewing inshore for anglers rigged with live shrimp. Most fish are staged up around shell banks or oyster bars, with a falling tide being best for kicking off the feeding action. Some black drum and speckled trout are being found around these same areas. Shrimp has also been a top bait choice for enticing strikes from these species. Sheepshead are out along the jetties and are being caught with barnacles or fiddler crabs. Off the beach, king mackerel are biting from the beachfronts out to the 80’ areas. Slow trolling live menhaden has been the top tactic, especially when fishing over the offshore live bottoms. Grouper are biting well over structures in 65-80’. Gulf Stream action is beginning to heat up, with nice-sized wahoo and blackfin tuna hitting ballyhoo trolled at 7 knots.
Jeff Palmer, of Whiteville, NC, hauled in this red drum fishing with live finger mullet in the Ocean Isle Beach area.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that with cooler water temperatures moving in, anglers are looking forward to the speckled trout action firing off. Live shrimp on a slip cork is a pretty unbeatable setup for targeting oyster beds and creek mouth areas. These same areas and baits will also produce scattered red drum. The king mackerel bite will start to slowly move back offshore in November. Offshore anglers are looking forward to two things: the winds calming down and wahoo fishing. Wahoo action will shortly be in full swing, with a skirted ballyhoo being a top producing bait. Blue Water Candy Jags in any variety of black/purple, blue/white, or pink/white color patterns are a great choice.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that some nice-sized wahoo are being caught, and they are mixed in with the bigger fall blackfin tuna. A handful of sailfish are also in the mix. Gag grouper is now closed, but bottom fishing in that 90’+ area for other assorted bottom fish has been excellent. King mackerel fishing has been steady, with fish scattered from the beach out to 15 miles. Along the beaches, there are schools of bull red drum hanging around some of the menhaden bait pods.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that nearshore anglers have still been finding pretty good numbers of Spanish mackerel around. The king mackerel are here, and most anglers are finding their success coming from live menhaden. Areas closer to the beach have produced a majority of the king action. A bunch of bigger red drum (30”+) are feeding around bait pods and on the nearshore wrecks off the beach.
Inshore anglers are finding decent action on scattered slot and under-slot red drum. Speckled trout action is starting to pick up as we move into late fall. The river is holding most of the fish for now, but trout are also starting to stage up inside the inlets. Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing anglers have been doing well with catches of black drum, spot, croakers, and speckled trout.
