Southport/Oak Island – December 2024
Angie, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers off the beach are having success catching king mackerel from 10-Mile Rock out to the Horseshoe.
Back inside, anglers are focused on the speckled trout. Live bait is a great option, but as live bait gets harder to find, artificials will become the top choice.
Red drum are in the same areas as the trout.
Surf anglers have been catching some quality whiting.
Garrett, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that surf action is still fairly good, with some nice-sized whiting, mid-slot black drum, and even a few scattered late season bull red drum around.
Anglers on the beach are also catching pompano with sand fleas and shrimp.
Inshore anglers are doing well with the black drum.
Speckled trout action remains steady, and these trout can be found alongside scattered slot-sized red drum.
Anglers headed offshore are seeing a lot of king mackerel in the 20-30 mile range. Bottom fishing has been strong, with the larger black sea bass now moving in around the Tower.
Moving into January, anglers in the area will focus even more on speckled trout in the backs of creeks and along channels.
Out in the deeper river channels, there’s always the likelihood of catching some whiting.
Runs offshore will mostly focus on the bottom fishing, with trolling efforts producing some wahoo.
Ron Howe, of Shallotte, NC, landed this 35″ red drum while surf fishing on Holden Beach using a bluefish head.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that for inshore anglers, it is all about the speckled trout. Live shrimp has been the hot bait, with anglers also having success throwing MirrOlures.
Red drum have been feeding well as they transition into larger winter schools. Anglers that find them in the shallower waters usually will find a number of reds together.
Black drum and sheepshead are being caught around docks or near oyster structure. For sheepshead, a live shrimp on a jig head has been best, with Carolina-rigged dead shrimp better for black drum.
Steve, of Reel ‘Em Up Charters, reports that the speckled trout bite has picked up dramatically. Live bait in the area is starting to get a little more scarce, though, so artificials, such as soft plastic paddle tails, have taken over as the top bait choice. Places to target include shell banks, mud banks, and oyster rocks in the backs of creeks. With any of these locations, having 5-10’ water depths with a nearby ledge is always a bonus.
Anglers also need to remember that with speckled trout, moving water is key. Tides don’t really matter as much, as long as the water is moving. That said, the better bite so far has seemed to be during the rising tide.
Some black drum are being caught with both live shrimp or fresh dead shrimp. The best areas have been around docks and other hard structures. This time of year especially, if you do catch one, there are likely more in that same area, as these fish school up in the colder months.
With the cooler water temperatures, the red drum are a little more sluggish. The reds are often mixed in alongside the black drum. Expect most of the winter reds to be just under-slot.
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that water temperatures in November remained relatively warm, and this kept the king mackerel bite good in the 65’ area. The kings are being caught with dead baits both naked and under Big Nic Mac-A-Hoos and Blue Water Candy Shovels. Keep an eye on the sea surface temperatures before running out so that you have an idea of live bottoms or ledges out where the slightly warmer waters are. Anglers around the Tower will continue to find king mackerel and scattered cobia as we move further into winter.
Some blackfin tuna are scattered in the trolling bite, and many times they are alongside the kings.
Nearshore reefs and ledges are holding a bunch of gray trout.
Black sea bass and nice-sized porgies are moving in shallower.
Bottom fishing out in 60-90’ range is producing a mixed bag of black sea bass, grouper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and plenty of American red snapper (released). Cut baits such as squid and other finfish will get strikes, but jigging diamond jigs or bucktails has been producing the larger fish.
Tom Janke, of Supply, NC, with an 18 lb. mutton grouper hooked offshore of Holden Beach in 170′ of water using a live cigar minnow.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that nearshore anglers are still catching bluefish off the beach around structure. Jigging at these same structured areas will also produce some gray trout. Deeper holes in and just inside the inlet are holding whiting and some spots.
The king mackerel have mostly pushed out into the 25-35 mile range. Anglers targeting the kings have also landed blackfin tuna.
Some sailfish are around in the same range, but with waters cooling down quickly, they won’t stick around much longer.
Bluefin tuna, which in this area is usually within the 10-mile range of the beaches, are already being seen, and they should stick around through January.
Anglers looking to load up on meat through the wintertime know it is all about the jumbo black sea bass bite. With cooler water around, these fish will move in as close as structures in the 55-65’ range.
A bunch of throwback American red snapper will be mixed in the same area.
Troy, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that anglers have done well while bottom fishing, with catches including larger whiting, gray trout, and smaller speckled trout.
Donna, of Oak Island Pier, reports that those bottom fishing have been catching a bunch of whiting.
Mixed in the bottom fishing action are croakers and some smaller sharks.
