Southport/Oak Island – November 2023
Mark, of Angry Pelican Charters, reports that fishing action along the beach has been good as a result of the plentiful bait keeping larger Spanish mackerel (2-4 lbs.) in the area. King mackerel fishing has been steady, with fish scattered from the beaches on out. Anglers have also started seeing cobia and bull red drum being caught on the nearshore trips. Bottom fishing in the 55’+ range has been producing nice-sized black sea bass, as well as gray trout, porgies, and American red snapper (released). Some bull reds are out in these areas. With nearshore water temperatures just getting down into the 60s, the nearshore bottom fishing should only pick up in the coming weeks. Offshore trips to the 80-100’ depths have seen some great bottom fishing, with king mackerel and scattered blackfin tuna around as well.
Eli, of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle, reports that inshore anglers have been finding good black drum and sheepshead action while fishing around structure. Some scattered red drum are being caught, along with flounder releases, but speckled trout are yet to show up in good numbers. Surf anglers have been catching a mixed bag of whiting, croakers, pufferfish, sharks, and a bunch of spot. Nearshore anglers are landing king mackerel and a few scattered cobia. Spanish mackerel are still around and are in really good numbers.
Dalton Sellers and Will Werner, of Bolivia and Supply, NC, caught this 49.62 lb. king mackerel fishing out of Holden Beach using a live shad. They were fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Josh, of Oak Island Sporting Goods, reports that anglers starting to target speckled trout are having success looking in some of the area’s creeks. With all this bait around, live or artificial shrimp fished under a cork have been best. Target your casts around oysters or some of the deeper pockets. A nice mix of red and black drum are back in the creeks. Nearshore runs are producing good numbers of Spanish mackerel. Surf anglers are catching whiting and some pompano, and the bluefish have been plentiful and ripping through all the bait pods.
Jeffrey, of Mad KingZ Tackle, reports that red drum and speckled trout are being caught in both the surf zone and the backwaters. Sheepshead fishing has been steady on the inside. Nearshore anglers are catching a bunch of Spanish mackerel off Oak Island. The king mackerel bite kind of slowed up for a little, but anglers can expect to see another push before the kings start to slowly head back off the beach.
Jennifer, of The Tackle Box, reports that surf anglers have been catching a mixed bag of croakers, spot, and bluefish. The local piers are seeing the same species, and they’re also adding some red and black drum into the landings. Nearshore anglers are catching Spanish mackerel and a ton of bluefish. King mackerel has been a bit slow, but the bite should get better.
Hunter, of Dockside Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout action has started picking up with these cooler nights becoming more common. Even with this pattern, water temperatures haven’t quite dropped, and fishing is only yet to get better. Most trips have been finding their trout over areas on the ICW that have a little current. Some sort of hole or structure (such as shell beds) adds to the chances of success. A bunch of smaller “rat” reds are around (to 17”). Off the beach, anglers have had a good time targeting bull red drum. Most of these fish are being caught while fishing around the bait balls. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are around, but with the beachfront temperatures, both species should be moving on shortly. Both casting jigs and trolling spoons will have success. King mackerel continue to hang out, and they should stay in our area as long as all this bait does. The kings are just about anywhere from right on the beach out to seven miles.
Shane Georgeff, of Kernersville, reeled in this 34” red drum while fishing from the Fort Caswell Pier using a live mullet.
Robert, of Reelin’ Pelican Fishing Charters, reports that king mackerel action has been good off the beach for anglers fishing live baits. October was a great month for the bull red drum fishery. Anglers continue to have a chance to catch these fish over reefs off the beach or on bait balls that continue to migrate through the area. Plenty of bait is still off the beaches, and this has kept some Spanish mackerel hanging around a while, though water temperatures have pushed many out. Inshore trips are seeing slot-sized red drum caught in the backwaters. On lower tides, fish docks or oyster structure, and then switch to targeting grass lines during high water times. Some black drum are feeding on Carolina-rigged cut bait.
Ryan, of Fugitive Charters, reports that nearshore anglers have been seeing a class of 2-5 lb. Spanish mackerel. As temperatures cool down, look for these fish to start moving on. A bunch of bull red drum are along the beaches. King mackerel are in close now, but water temperatures have been dropping quick. Look for the best action in the 20-mile range once the kings move off the beach. Bottom fishing offshore has been producing big vermilion snapper and black sea bass, and this will be a reliable fishery all winter long. Offshore trolling trips have seen better numbers of wahoo moving in alongside some blackfin tuna. This time of year, these species can both be found as close as 20-30 miles.
Troy, of Ocean Crest Pier, reports that most of the biggest news has been about the big bull red drum that have been caught. Bottom fishing has been a bit hit or miss on the smaller species, including croakers, spot, and whiting. Donna, of Oak Island Pier, reports that anglers out on the planks with bottom rigs are catching whiting, pinfish, and croakers. Spanish mackerel fishing has been good, but the action does seem to come in waves where there’s a run of fish for a few days, and then it slows. Some over-slot red drum have been landed.
