Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – September 2022
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers fishing just about anywhere have been finding record numbers of flatfish around, including some good-sized ones (to 18”+) in the mix. Any live bait rigged to sit on the bottom, or soft plastics fished around structure, will entice some strikes.
Red drum fishing has been a bit hit or miss, with both smaller reds and the over-slot fish scattered in deeper holes and around docks or similar inshore areas with structure.
There are plenty of black drum around, though most have been just short (13” range).
Speckled trout fishing has been spotty, with anglers fishing the jetties and the surrounding areas having success in the early mornings.
Capt. Crockett Henderson, of the Liquid Fire Fishing Team, with a 32.5 lb. king mackerel caught while trolling a live menhaden in 95′ of water out of Southport.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that fishing remains similar to the dog days of summer, but recent wind changes have helped anglers remember that they are on the cusp of seeing new opportunities ahead.
The mainstay for offshore fishing during the heat of summer has been running out and targeting structure for a wide variety of snapper and grouper species. With waters just starting to cool, soon inshore bait will start moving out of the inlets, and this will fire off fishing both at nearshore reefs on out to the deeper areas near the break.
Nearshore anglers are having success finding schools of spanish mackerel and scattered kings. Getting out early will be the most successful tactic, as these species will become more lethargic during the middle of the day.
Out in the Gulf Stream, wahoo are starting to filter back into the area, along with scattered sailfish, blackfin tuna, and mahi. The fishing should pick up even more as we move into fall and water temperatures drop.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that good numbers of bait (both pogies and mullet) are starting to move along the beaches, a sign of incoming fall fishing.
Black drum action inside is heating up, with live or fresh shrimp producing not only strikes from keeper-sized fish, but a few over-slots as well.
Red drum fishing is getting more consistent as we move into late summer. Live/cut mullet or pogies fished on the bottom have both been the top bait choice.
Speckled trout are around, with most anglers finding better action when fishing the jetties to the south of the region.
Spanish mackerel are beginning to pick back up off the beaches. Anglers are starting to see larger schools of some nice-class fish (20” range). Live baits have almost certainly out-fished other setups when targeting the larger spanish.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that the speckled trout bite has been on fire. The best action has been in the ocean around inlets and jetties, and the top producing tactic has been to float a live shrimp around 10-12’ deep with the tide swings.
Red drum action remains solid, with most strikes coming from cut pogies fished on the bottom near the inlets. These are mostly a class of slot and over-slot reds (to 35”).
The black drum have also been biting well around deeper structure, such as docks and deep oyster banks. They have been feeding best on shrimp or crabs fished on a Carolina or knocker rig.
Off the beach, king mackerel action has been decent, with action from the beach out to the Gulf Stream. Slow-trolled live pogies have seen most of the king bites.
Bottom fishing in the 100-200’ range has produced excellent bottom fishing action, with mixed bags of grouper, triggerfish, and snapper.
Close to the beach, spanish mackerel fishing has been really good. There are a lot of smaller fish around, but plenty of keepers are mixed in, too. A Clarkspoon fished at 7 knots in 15-30’ depths has produced all the strikes you’d want.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that offshore bottom fishing remains red hot as it has all summer. Anglers are catching great mixed bags of vermilion snapper, triggerfish, rose porgies, and grouper.
King mackerel fishing has been pretty scattered, due to hot nearshore waters. Anglers are starting to find a more consistent bite, though, in the 100’ range while fishing live baits.
Further offshore, anglers doing some trolling are starting to see a few wahoo showing up (since the last moon cycle). Moving forward into fall, this bite picks up as water cools and a solid temperature break forms.
Smaller blackfin tuna are mixed in the trolling action.
Weston Reeder (age 12) caught this red drum on cut mullet in the Shallotte Inlet.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that nearshore anglers are still finding plenty of spanish mackerel while trolling and casting at the schools off the beach.
The majority of king mackerel action remains offshore (in the 10-15+ mile range). Slow trolling live baits has produced most of the strikes.
Inshore anglers are having mixed successes with both red drum and speckled trout. These species are around in decent numbers, but the hot inshore water temperatures have the action scattered and a bit sluggish, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Rob, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that the winds finally died down and allowed some of the waters along the beach to clear up.
Anglers have seen a big jump up in speckled trout action, with some larger fish (to 5+ lbs.) coming over the rails. Early mornings seem to have the best bite.
Quite a few flounder are starting to be caught, and bottom fishing overall is becoming more successful as we move closer to fall. A fair amount of pompano, large croakers, whiting, and scattered black drum are all being landed.
