Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – August 2025
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers have been catching more speckled trout since the keeper season opened. Getting on the water early or late has been best, and focusing on areas with a little current and moderately deep water with slightly cooler water temperatures helps get a trout bite going.
Black drum are staged up around structure, where shrimp or crabs will get some bites.
Red drum fishing has been steady. The drum are scattered all over the place and typically aren’t very picky when found.
The numbers and quality of flounder in the area are unreal, so flounder season looks extremely promising.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that Gulf Stream action has slowed down with the heat, but the “run and gun” approach on one of those fair-weather days can put something in the boat. Anglers running out into the 50-220 fathom areas are likely to find weed lines or floating debris holding mahi.
Some wahoo and blackfin tuna are along the break as well, where they hang all year long. On these trips, the best action is first thing in the morning or toward evening.
Unfortunately, gag season closed, but that puts scamp grouper, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper as the top target species. The 100-200’ area is the overall best shot at all three species.
King mackerel fishing has been pretty slow all year. Anglers to the south have been on a good king bite, though, so it’s only a matter of time before those fish migrate to the Brunswick coast.
The beachfronts are producing spanish mackerel, with the better action in the 15-40’ depth range.
The beachfront has also been seeing some tarpon swim by, particularly around the schools of menhaden.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that most of the reds are in the 20-22” range, and they’re being found on the edges of oyster structure along banks. Anglers may need to move to find a pocket of fish, but once a fish is found, typically you can pull multiple bites from the same area. Live or cut menhaden are the top baits, but any bait needs to be switched out frequently for fresh baits as the heat and “trash fish” will tear them up.
For those fishing closer to the inlet, some speckled trout can be caught. The rising tides have been better as it flows in cooler and slightly cleaner water conditions. Live shrimp will 100% be the best bait option for the trout, outside the occasional topwater action.
A bunch of flounder are around both inside and out on the nearshore reefs, and this strong flatfish population should continue right into the keeper season in September.
Tubby Pace, of VA, landed this 31” red drum behind Ocean Isle using live shrimp.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that the speckled trout action has been good on days when clean water is around, which is typically on a mid to rising high tide. Live shrimp under a cork is the best setup to be throwing, and target shelly bottoms or grass banks in the ICW.
Red drum fishing has been steady. Some fish are schooled up on the shallower flats along the ICW, but more consistency is being found by targeting docks on lower tides. Cut menhaden on Carolina rigs have been the go-to setup.
Flounder are prevalent everywhere, so just about any live bait on a jig head or Carolina rig will offer a good chance to hook one.
Getting outside the inlet, king mackerel fishing has been tough, but slow trolling menhaden over live bottoms in the 60-80’ range has been producing a few bites. There is also the possibility to hook into a cobia or mahi with this same tactic.
Bottom fishing has been consistently good in the 150-200’ range, with catches of black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and grouper.
The offshore trolling bite has been hit or miss. A couple wahoo and scattered sailfish make up most of the action.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing has been producing the best action. Most of the fish have pushed deeper in search of cooler water, and then areas in 180’+ with structure, live bottom, or ledges are the better places to drop. Catches include large scamp grouper, amberjacks, American red snapper, African pompano, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper.
Mahi and cobia are scattered around these same offshore areas.
Trolling can be spotty at best with temperatures so hot and fish scattered. Anglers targeting mahi will do best fishing smaller dink baits or casting pitch baits when fish are found over structure or under floating debris.
Wes Caldwell, of Holly Springs, caught this 21” speckled trout at the point in Oak Island on a gold Rat-L-Trap.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that there has been some good action in the surf despite the hot water temperatures. Bottom fishing efforts are producing a mix of big croakers, bluefish, and plenty of whiting. The occasional pompano is also being caught.
Anglers fishing at night have been hooking a lot of sharks, including some big tigers.
Back in the ICW, red drum and speckled trout are the two top targets. Both are being caught with artificials or live bait.
Of course, plenty of flounder are around.
Sheepshead fishing remains strong for anglers fishing docks or bridges with live fiddler crabs.
Off the beach, the spanish mackerel bite has been steady, with trolling being the top producing tactic.
Pushing out over the deeper structures has been the ticket for anglers wanting to hook into any king mackerel in the area. Both slow-trolling live bait or pulling dead cigar minnows has enticed strikes from the kings.
Bottom fishing offshore has been producing black sea bass and some scamp grouper (especially out deep).
Jerry, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that anglers out in the low-light hours (early or late) have been catching some speckled trout.
Bottom fishing efforts are producing a mixed bag of whiting, croakers, and black drum.
