Ocean Isle / Holden Beach – October 2023
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that with conditions cooling, anglers look forward to some trophy red drum fishing in the area. These bull reds (to 42”) can be caught out on the jetty, or by sight-casting around bait balls off the beach. Some king mackerel are moving onto the beaches for anglers slow-trolling live menhaden. Spanish mackerel are still mixed in, but now it’s the larger class of fish. Inshore anglers did well during the flounder season, primarily on live baits. Slot-sized red drum are being caught on bottom-rigged cut and live baits, but water temperatures need to cool off some before the trout action picks up.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that runs out to the Gulf Stream have found the wahoo action picking up as the scores of bullet tuna start migrating out on the break. Bill fishing has been really been productive this year. Record numbers of sailfish have been caught and continue to be caught in the area. Grouper fishing should be picking up as these fish start moving in over some of the shallower structures (in the 60-90’ range). The kings will be moving in from offshore and staging anywhere from the beach out to 60’. Some citation-class red drum are migrating through the area as they follow the bait down along the beachfront.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that inshore fishing has been all about taking advantage of the red-hot flounder bite. Anglers have been pleased to find quality fish (to 7 lbs.) throughout the keeper season. The better bite has been up shallow and against grass banks that have some oyster or structure nearby. Red drum are scattered just about everywhere right now. The same live baits and target areas for flounder are producing red drum strikes, and the falling tide has been better. Speckled trout are mixed in the daily action, and cooler water temperatures should see this bite start to become more prominent.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers found that the flounder action was on fire for the keeper season. Most of the flatfish were being caught on Carolina-rigged finger mullet fished around docks and deeper holes near the inlet. With water temperatures cooling, anglers are starting to see the speckled trout show up better. They are being caught on live shrimp rigged under bobbers and drifted near oyster banks and along the jetty rocks.
Look for some bull red drum to be showing up around the inlets and under bait balls. Anglers’ best chance of success targeting them is with cut menhaden fished on the bottom. Offshore runs are starting to see wahoo showing up in the Gulf Stream, and anglers are having success pulling both ballyhoo and high-speed lures. The bottom fishing action remains strong for both the grouper and snapper species. Look for the gag grouper to start moving nearshore (in the 65’ range) as temps cool off. King mackerel are beginning to show up along the beaches. Slow trolling a pogie through bait balls will provide the best chances of success.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that inshore anglers have found a nice mix of red drum and flounder while bottom fishing with live baits or soft plastics on grass banks with oysters. Plenty of sheepshead and black drum are staged up around the hard structures for those anglers rigged with crabs or shrimp. The nearshore conditions have kept many from running off the beach, though as conditions settle, anglers expect to find Spanish mackerel and kings. Bottom fishing picks up this month with water temperatures cooling. Grouper start to settle in around some shallower structure (in 65’+) and will be just a small part of the mixed species in these areas. Fishing areas a little deeper (100’+) will also see the addition of vermilion snapper and triggerfish.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that offshore runs are seeing better numbers of wahoo and blackfin tuna showing up. With warm water offshore, these fish are being found anywhere in the 150-300’+ range. Wahoo fishing in particular will really be ramping up as water temperatures cool. Bill fishing continues to do well, with mostly nice sailfish being seen. As temps continue to cool down, look for the grouper to start moving in shallower (the 80-95’ range). King mackerel are showing up along the beaches as we creep towards fall. The kings are currently anywhere from the beachfronts out to 10+ miles.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that flounder fishing inshore has been really strong. Anglers are finding quality flatfish all over the place. Red drum action is also very good, with many of the same structured areas holding reds and flounder almost side by side. A few nice-sized speckled trout are being caught on topwater plugs. Bottom fishing around structure with crabs or shrimp is producing sheepshead and a bunch of juvenile black drum. Surf anglers have found some slot-sized drum feeding best in the stirred up waters. Nearshore runs are finding bluefish and a few schools of bull red drum. The fall king mackerel action is right around the corner. Anglers are seeing most of this bite still out in the 10-20 mile range. Some nice grouper are being caught over hard bottoms in the 15+ mile range. Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that plenty of flounder and some nice keeper black drum are being caught. Smaller bottom rigs with cut shrimp or artificial bait strips are producing croakers and whiting.
