Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – November 2024
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the king mackerel action has been moving forward in predictable fashion, as the kings are leaving the beachfronts they have been patrolling and are staging up in good numbers in the 70-90’ range.
Bottom fishing in the 60-80’ areas is providing some great catch-and-release action on all the American red snapper you can handle, with assorted grouper in the mix, too.
The wahoo bite is hot out on the break, and typically anglers enjoy much more comfortable fishing weather conditions moving further into fall.
Plenty of sailfish are in the mix as well.
Bluefin tuna have already been spotted in the area, and this fishery is expected to become very prevalent as temperatures continue to cool.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that speckled trout have fired off and numbers of fish have been especially strong when fishing live shrimp under floats. Most of the early season fish are a little deeper (in 6-8’ areas). Another key is to focus in on areas of cleaner and clearer water conditions. That typically means the rising tide has been more productive, whereas the bottom half of the falling tide brings out the dirtier water. While trout numbers have been great, most are in the 17-19” class (with the occasional 22”+ fish mixed in).
A bunch of slot red drum are around inshore. Live mullet on the bottom has been the best bait option, with a falling tide producing more strikes.
Out around the inlet, anglers are still catching over-slot red drum on both live and cut baits, but these fish will leave as the bait leaves.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers have found that the speckled trout fishing has improved drastically. These fish are chewing in creeks and along shell banks. Live shrimp has been the most successful bait option for this 15-19” class of fish. Tide hasn’t mattered much, with action being found both on the rising and falling tides.
Black drum and slot red drum have been biting along oyster banks and around docks. The lower end of a falling tide has been key to catching both species. Shrimp on a Carolina rig is best for black drum, with mullet on a Carolina rig best for the redfish.
Some bull red drum are still hanging around, but the bite is very close to being over. Anglers can find success fishing cut pogies around the jetties or over the nearshore reefs.
Further off the beach, the king mackerel bite has been excellent in the 50’+ range. Look for the kings to be following the 69-degree water as it pushes offshore. The 50-60’ range should be good for most of November. Towards the end of November, start looking out in 80-100’. Slow-trolled live menhaden or dead cigar minnows will entice strikes.
Runs out to the Gulf Stream are producing good catches of blackfin tuna and wahoo.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that Gulf Stream action is starting to pick up, with anglers seeing good catches of wahoo (18-30 lb. range) and bigger blackfin tuna (15-20 lb. class). The water offshore is still a little warm, with temperatures close to 80 degrees. The 74-76 degree range is the best for both the blackfins and wahoo.
Even though it’s well into fall, boats are still seeing some decent mahi action.
The bottom fishing action is strong, with gag grouper hanging all over the 80’ areas.
King mackerel are just about everywhere from the beach on out to the 20-mile range.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that red drum action in the area has been really good. Anglers have been finding redfish in a variety of sizes, including fish up to 35” being caught in the ICW and the surf zone. Cut or live mullet has been successful in both of these areas.
The nearshore bull red drum action is coming to a close, but anglers are still finding a few fish with cut pogies.
A bunch of black drum and sheepshead are starting to show up inside now that water temperatures are cooling down.
Pufferfish and some huge croakers are biting up in the deeper inshore areas.
The speckled trout action has been picking up now that the area is seeing some true fall weather patterns. Live shrimp has been the top producing bait, with artificial shrimp imitations, soft plastics, and MirrOlures all having their times of success, too. For anglers fishing artificials, the brighter color patterns or two-toned baits have been producing best.
Anglers fishing off the beach have been finding some nice-sized bluefish and spanish mackerel. King mackerel fishing has been steady, but the kings are pushing further offshore.
Ron Howe, of Shallotte, NC, landed this 35″ red drum while surf fishing on Holden Beach using a bluefish head.
Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers are catching a mix of red drum, a few black drum, and a bunch of flounder.
Some of the smaller bottom rig setups are producing action on croakers, whiting, and the occasional pompano.
Water temperatures are cooling down pretty quick, but anglers fishing live baits off the end have still been able to hook a king mackerel or two.
