Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – October 2024
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that nearshore spanish mackerel fishing continues to be affected by weather and water conditions, but once there is stabilization, the better class of spanish should be present just off the beach and around the inlets.
This time of year typically brings gag grouper onto our shallower structures (within 30 miles), but the gags remained closed, as do American snapper.
Those looking for action are going to start looking for that weather window to run offshore and troll for wahoo in the 30-50 fathom range. Thankfully, anglers expect this bite to be good over the next couple of months, with water temperatures cooling and fish quality (both sizes and numbers) carrying the offshore fishing action.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that the offshore action has come alive now that water temperatures are cooling down. Specifically, the wahoo are beginning to feed well for anglers pulling ballyhoo under skirts.
Anglers headed deep will also find some nice-sized fall blackfin tuna and the occasional late season mahi.
Nearshore anglers are hoping to see the spanish mackerel show back up once water conditions stabilize and clean up.
The king mackerel have started their push to the beaches.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that red drum haven’t been affected much by the influx of freshwater into the system. Anglers have found the mid to rising tide to be best for targeting schools of reds out along the ICW. Look for bait that is staged up around shell banks, and then begin your efforts based on the presence of bait.
The speckled trout action has been decent on the same mid to rising tide cycles. While some speckled trout are positively responding to topwater plugs, for the most part, live shrimp has been the top producing bait.
The bull drum should be showing up anytime now, with a few fish already being hooked out along the jetties and in the middle of the inlet.
Anglers headed off the beach have finally started seeing signs of life, with spanish mackerel being caught on live mullet.
Kelly Barker, of Winston Salem, caught this 30″ red drum fishing from his dock near the Lockwood Folly Inlet using a live pinfish.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that red drum fishing has been good all along the ICW. Anglers are doing best just riding up and down grass banks and looking for blowups on all the bait moving around. There are some upper-slot and just over-slot drum (26-29”) being caught with this tactic. Anglers fishing around docks with cut baits are also finding fish, with most of these reds being in the 18-20” range.
Speckled trout are around, and they’re mostly staged up in the bigger bodies of water (such as rivers and larger creeks). The specks are still pretty scattered, though, with maybe 2-3 fish holding per spot. Target oyster points and other areas of current around inshore structure, and some trout are also being caught out at the jetties.
Targeting inshore hard structure with live shrimp or crabs is producing some quality sheepshead and black drum.
The bull red drum are set to arrive in numbers any day now, as they have already started to show up. Anglers out at the jetties have been landing fish in the 30”+ range.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that as temperatures continue to cool down, the wahoo are starting to show up better for anglers making the run out to the break.
Larger fall blackfin tuna (in the 15-20 lb. class) are also mixed in the trolling action.
Over the next few weeks, anglers getting out will have the opportunity to catch sailfish and a few mahi. Overall, the offshore bite will be picking up moving through October and into November.
King mackerel have started to make a showing. Anglers are having success finding kings anywhere from the shoreline out to nearshore reefs within 20 miles.
Out along the beachfronts, bull red drum and the occasional school of tarpon are hanging around the menhaden bait pods.
Zaevyon Green, of Holden Beach, caught this black drum in the ICW behind Holden Beach using cut shrimp.
Carlton, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers have been seeing the action pick up as water temperatures on the beach cool down. Bottom fishing is still the name of the game, with catches of whiting, croaker, black drum, and puppy drum. A bunch of sharks and rays are also included in the bite.
Anglers in the ICW have been catching some nice-sized sheepshead and black drum while fishing around hard structure with shrimp or crabs.
A bunch of red drum are around as well, and they’re mostly being caught on live or cut mullet.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are showing up in better numbers just off the beaches.
The area is finally starting to hear more about king mackerel efforts. While some fish are being found in a variety of spots, the overall bite has been sporadic. The better bite (with any consistency at all) has been mostly focused out in the 15-20 mile range.
Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that the fishing action in general is starting to pick up as we move into fall. Anglers have been catching significantly more red drum and black drum. The best bite has been soaking bait on the bottom.
Mixed in the bottom fishing action are plenty of croakers, and anglers on the planks are still seeing a ton of flounder around.
