Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – June 2026
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that bait in the area has been picking up, including shrimp showing up, though most too small yet, and the ocean loaded with menhaden.
Anglers looking for red drum should focus on utilizing natural bait options along shoreline shell beds and docks in the waterway. Keep on the move and cover water to find small pockets of fish.
Flounder are making their move inshore and will start to be a more common catch. These fish don’t need much coaxing and will usually strike any sort of bait put in their vicinity.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers getting out since grouper opened are finding fish anywhere from 60-200’. The main problem has been getting bait down to them as amberjacks and American red snappers are creating a tough security perimeter.
Out on the break, trolling trips are producing a mix of blackfin tuna, mahi, and wahoo. Anglers will do best by focusing on water conditions in the 150-600’+ area, with a skirted ballyhoo being the most reliable option for all three species.
King mackerel are pushing in, but they are still scattered. Anglers are finding that the 40-70’ range is holding most of the action.
Closer to the beach, the 20-40’ range is holding spanish mackerel.
Brayden McMullan, of OIFC, landed this gag grouper on a live pinfish in 100′ of water offshore of Ocean Isle.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that low tide has been best when targeting the red drum. The reds have been more scattered on higher tides once they can get up against and in the grass. Natural baits such as menhaden, mullet, and shrimp still remain the best bait options, and focus efforts on structure. The best structures can be docks, bridges, oyster beds, and jetties.
Currently, the upper-slot to over-slot reds are around the bigger structures closer to the inlets, with the same amount of bait not quite pushed into the backwater spots yet.
Some sheepshead and black drum are mixed in, especially if using live shrimp.
Not many have been targeting speckled trout around the jetties as they typically would this time of year, but a few large fish (to 25”) have been hooked as bycatch while fishing live bait.
Nearshore fishing has presented opportunities for sight casting action on bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that bonito have moved on but spanish mackerel have filled in nicely. Mixed in with the spanish are plenty of bluefish. Pulling Clarkspoons behind planers is the best way to target both species.
The king mackerel are still mostly in the 65’ range, and they’re hitting dead cigar minnows and live menhaden.
Bottom fishing in the 100’ areas creates the possibility of triggerfish, gag grouper, black sea bass, and vermilion snapper.
The Gulf Stream bite has been steady, with anglers catching a mix of blackfin tuna, some wahoo, and the earlier season migration of mahi. A skirted ballyhoo will give anglers the best shot at all three species, with the key being to focus on temperature changes.
Inshore fishing is still a little behind for the red drum, though this bite is slowly picking up as more bait pushes inside.
With the increased bait, flounder (in the 18-25” range) are moving into the inlets and feeding on the live menhaden.
Sheepshead and scattered black drum continue to fill in around docks and bridges for anglers fishing with live fiddler crabs.
Abby Clawson, of Roan Mountain, TN, landed this grouper on a live cigar minnow in 100’ of water at the Twin City Wrecks. She was fishing with Capt. Kevin Snead of Rigged and Ready Fishing Charters.
Todd, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that mahi making a showing is the big offshore news, with anglers having their best success with Ilanders in blue/white or pink color patterns.
Some blackfin tuna are mixed in, with little feathers being best for them.
Anglers are still waiting for the push of king mackerel onto the beaches, with most the fish still out in the 10-20 mile range.
This same range is also starting to see some cobia showing up, with live bait or artificial eel lures being two great options for the cobia.
Inshore, some keeper sheepshead are being caught with live fiddler crabs, and black drum are mixed in around these same hard structure areas that are holding sheepshead.
Anglers fishing from the surf are catching a mix of whiting, bluefish, and pompano.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that the mahi action has been picking up out on the break as they start to migrate into the area. Fishing should only be picking up as the water temperatures rise and the bigger weed patches show up.
Mixed in the action are blackfin tuna and a few wahoo.
Keeper grouper have been found when dropping live baits on a bunch of different structure in the 100-250’ range.
Starting on the shallower end of that range, anglers will also see some good-sized black sea bass and vermilion snapper.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers have seen a mixed bag of whiting, croakers, spot, and the occasional pompano.
Anglers fishing off the beach are catching spanish mackerel.
Inshore, anglers are hooking red drum, and flounder are moving into the inshore waters in stronger numbers. Live bait on the bottom has been the best option for targeting both species.
A few speckled trout are sprinkled in the action, though overall the trout bite is pretty scattered.
Tyson, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that when weather and water clarity is good, pier anglers have had success with spanish mackerel.
A king mackerel has already been caught this year.
Plenty of bluefish are around for those sight-casting plugs.
Bottom fishing is producing whiting and croakers.
