Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – September 2023
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that red drum fishing has improved a lot over the past few weeks. Anglers are seeing that most of the fish are over-slot and under-slot. With bait now becoming more plentiful, Carolina-rigged finger mullet have out produced just about every other setup, and fishing during a falling tide helps anglers locate these reds as they stack up along grass edges and oyster beds.
Flounder fishing remains strong, with plenty of action in all of the typical locations.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the wahoo fishing should start to really kick off in September. Typically, this first push of wahoo are schoolie-sized fish (20-35 lbs.) that will show up inside the break.
Bottom fishing is a great option for anglers fishing this time of year and looking to fill the freezer. Bottoms in the 80’+ range have been best, and they will continue to produce solid mixed bags right into fall.
King mackerel have also really seemed to like the 80’+ depth range during these hotter months. Some scattered kings are closer to shore, but having success with the kings is all about finding their food source.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that fishing has been pretty good even with all the hot conditions. Red drum have been the main target, and anglers are having fun with so many over-slot fish around. For now, cut or live Carolina-rigged finger mullet and pogies are producing most of the action. The incoming tide with slightly cooler water has helped the bite, and look for the reds to be holding right up on the grass lines.
Flounder are all over the place, and they’re striking at these same bottom-rigged setups.
Speckled trout have basically disappeared recently.
Nearshore trips have seen mostly scattered Spanish mackerel and gray trout over structured bottoms in shallower water (15-30’).
Jack Watson, of Supply, caught this gag grouper using a live pogie. He was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed, of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that the larger finger mullet have started to show up, and anglers should look for the redfish and flounder to be feeding on the mullet over menhaden.
Most of the red drum have been staged up along the edges of the ICW and moving up and down in smaller schools. It is easier to spot these schools on the calmer (non-windy) days on lower tides, as the fish push water chasing bait. These reds have been tuned in to feeding on live mullet and topwater plugs.
The flounder bite remains strong for anglers targeting deeper holes around the inlets. A Carolina-rigged mullet or menhaden will be the top bait for the flatfish.
Some speckled trout are mixed in, and they are mostly being caught around the jetties while floating live shrimp.
Anglers running off the beach have been tuned into the bottom fishing action. A great mix of grouper, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and cobia are all staged over the deeper reefs, wrecks, and ledges. Both cut squid and live bait are producing the bites, and for better chances at quality fish, be sure to push out into the 100’+ areas.
King mackerel fishing remains steady out in the 50-80’ depth range. Both live pogies or dead cigar minnows are enticing strikes.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that inshore anglers have found some good action by getting on the water early and throwing walk-the-dog style topwater plugs or KVD wake baits. The top target areas have been around creek mouths and near oyster bars.
Sheepshead and black drum fishing have been on fire close to the bridges and older docks.
Nearshore anglers are finding the bite picking up for Spanish mackerel. Clarkspoons have had a bunch of success, but many of the largest fish are being caught with free-lined live mullet or menhaden.
As the nearshore waters start to cool, anglers anticipate seeing better numbers of king mackerel moving in and along the beach, as well as at their usual haunts over nearshore live bottoms.
The grouper bite offshore has been really strong in the 150-200’ range, along with triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and other bottom species.
Jason Witthoefft, of Richmond, VA, hooked this red drum using Fishbites shrimp strips. He was surf fishing on Ocean Isle Beach.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers look forward to the trolling bite picking up over the coming weeks. These hot conditions are still prevalent, so the trolling bite is scattered for the time being. Look for some nice-sized wahoo and tuna showing up in better numbers moving further into September.
King mackerel fishing has been good in the 25-30 mile range.
Offshore bottom fishing is still producing some nice grouper and a mixed bag of snapper, triggerfish, and grunts.
Deep dropping trips (650-800’ range) are seeing great fishing for snowy grouper, queen snapper, and tilefish, and there’s still a good swordfish bite when the conditions allow for the long run.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that inshore anglers are picking away at scattered and sluggish red drum with live or cut finger mullet.
Anglers look forward to targeting flatfish with Carolina-rigged baits.
Speckled trout are in the mix, though most of the action is being found by anglers on the water right at dawn.
Nearshore anglers have found smaller, scattered Spanish mackerel.
Rob, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are producing croakers and decent-sized whiting.
Bluefish are around in fairly good numbers, and they’re hitting both plugs and bottom-rigged baits.
