Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – August 2026
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the best successes on red drum have come for anglers fishing live bait. Finger mullet is the best bait choice now that they are showing up in a good size. Mud minnows make a great fallback option and also don’t get as much attention from pesky pinfish. Focus on spots with some current and closer to the inlet, and slow the bait presentation way down.
Flounder fishing has been spectacular all year, and as we slowly get closer to our short keeper season, it’s a good sign that we continue to find fish in the 5 lb. range.
Austin, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers fishing off the beach are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel in the 2+ lb. range.
Getting out in 65-75’ depths has been where anglers are finding most of the king mackerel (with some cobia mixed in).
The bottom fishing action has been excellent in the 85-200’ range. Boats are finding keeper gags in the 85’+ areas, with tons of American red snapper also mixed in.
Once out around 100’+, vermilion snapper and triggerfish can be found added to the fish boxes.
The offshore trolling bite is spotty, but the middle of August is typically when the action starts to pick back up. The first targets will be smaller, but good numbers, of wahoo, with some blackfin tuna mixed in.
Some mahi are around, but this action is out really deep.
Ashley McDonald, of Shallotte Point, reeled in this white marlin while seven miles east of the Steeples. The fish hit a skirted ballyhoo.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that red drum have been consistent. Natural baits are key in this heat, with some days seeing cut bait being best, then the next day, the reds prefer live bait. The high water temperatures can make the fish picky, so anglers need to figure out what’s working that day.
Speckled trout can be found while floating shrimp around areas such as the jetties and deeper grass lines or shell banks closer to the inlet.
Some sight-casting action can be had on spanish mackerel anywhere from just outside the inlet to about 3 miles.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that for anglers headed offshore, the grouper fishing remains strong anywhere in the 100-250’ areas. Fishing live menhaden on the bottom will be best for catching a variety of quality-sized bottom fish on these deeper structures.
King mackerel have been scattered from the beach out to 80’. The most productive way to target these kings is by slow trolling a live menhaden or cigar minnow.
Some mahi pushed in and are scattered about. Most are being caught as bycatch while king fishing or bottom fishing.
Inshore, red drum have been the primary target. For the reds, fishing a live mullet on a Carolina rig along grass flats or dock pilings is the best tactic. The bite has been best when a lower tide is early in morning.
The speckled trout bite has been decent on the mid-high rising tide, especially when fishing around the inlets and in the deeper portions of creeks. Live shrimp have been easy to find on mud flats around low tide, and they are the top bait option for trout. Be sure to float the shrimp in areas of moving water and set the shrimp to be close to the bottom.
Flounder are chewing all around the inlets on live mullet. Most of these flatfish are in the 15-25” range.
Adam and Patrick, of Huntersville, doubled up on red drum near the Sunset Beach Bridge. They were fishing mud minnows on Carolina rigs.
Stewart, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that bottom fishing has been excellent for all of the grouper species. Plenty of vermilion snapper are around as well.
Dolphin are scattered around.
Inshore, some red drum are being caught, with cut mullet as the best option.
The surf has been seeing the summertime mix of whiting, croakers, sharks, and some pompano.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that bottom fishing anglers have been catching plenty of smaller gag grouper on shallower structure (80-120’ range).
Scamp grouper start to mix in the action once out around the 150’+ foot areas, and mutton snappers are in these deeper areas as well.
Anglers have enjoyed a great black sea bass bite all year. A bunch of keepers start at 85’+, but after hitting 120’, it’s nothing but huge black sea bass.
A mix of vermilion snapper and triggerfish are in these same areas.
August will present some trolling opportunities, mostly wahoo just inside or right on the break, with small blackfin tuna mixed in.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers are seeing a bunch of bluefish, some flounder, and plenty of sharks.
Spanish mackerel fishing has been steady.
Inshore anglers are catching sheepshead and black drum when fishing crabs or shrimp on structure (and even on the ARs off the beach).
Some red drum are around, and the sizes are varied. One group will hold only smaller fish, and the next group will be comprised of nothing but over-slots.
Flounder are all over the place and will hit just about any live bait on the bottom.
Tyson, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports a mixed bag of whiting and croakers.
Those casting are finding spanish mackerel and bluefish.
