Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – March 2021
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that red drum are holding over in the inshore waters around the area. The frigid water temperatures have these fish in “survival mode” and has made a consistent pattern impossible to predict. The only thing anglers can count on is slow-moving Saltwater Assassin soft plastics and jerk baits to be the few productive artificial baits. Carolina-rigged shrimp chunks and salted clams are also helpful when targeting these fish on falling tides around area shallows or flats.
As the weather pattern begins to turn, anglers will find success in using the most natural baits available. Rigging up crab chunks and live mud minnows will help bite numbers going into late March.
Craig Thompson, of Southport, caught this 2 lb. 1 oz. creolefish on a cigar minnow in the Gulf Stream off Ocean Isle Beach. The fish was certified by the IGFA as an All Tackle World Record.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that anglers look forward to March hopefully bringing with it warmer water temperatures to get the fish moving towards our coast.
Last spring brought hope, with yellowfin tuna showing up for Gulf Stream anglers in numbers that hadn’t been seen in years. It became commonplace to target the yellowfins when making a run to the break, with most action starting in greener water in 69-72 degrees. As it gets deeper into spring, the size of yellowfins tends to go up, starting with the early 25 lb. class.
Wahoo and mahi have been a recent staple for the springtime fishery, and this year expects to be no different as the warmer water pushes closer to the coast and bait moves in.
Tyler, of Rigged and Ready Charters, reports that black drum are a great early spring target for inshore anglers. Carolina rigs with the freshest possible shrimp is best when cast into holes and drop-offs.
On days with good weather, working these same holes with soft plastic paddle tail baits can produce speckled trout.
There are good-sized black sea bass being caught on nearshore structures out to 25 miles.
Over the next few weeks, there could be a good window to target king mackerel out around the Tower. A stretch of nice weather and a day of calmer seas will send some anglers running out to troll with spoons and cigar minnows.
Trip, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that inshore anglers have been pleased to find redfish chewing in the area’s creeks. These reds are schooled up very tight, so many trips are experiencing an “all or nothing” situation. Artificial Vudu shrimp and 4” paddle tail soft plastics have been productive for the 16-28” class of fish. Most schools are being found along little flats in 1-3’ of water.
Black drum action is starting to pick up a little, with dead shrimp on a jig head working well. These baits are best set up in deeper holes and near oyster beds.
Anglers with live shrimp are landing a few speckled trout around oyster banks.
Offshore anglers have been struggling through the tough weather conditions. A few bottom fish are being caught around nearshore structure, with trolling trips finding blackfin tuna and wahoo.
The seasons are just starting to turn and even the slightest water temperature jump will really change the bite. Both inshore and offshore action is on the verge of kicking off.
Tim, of Tideline Charters, reports that fishing has been pretty good when compared to the down weather being experienced this winter.
Speckled trout fishing has been much slower than past seasons. Over the next few weeks, this should change with even the slightest water temperature changes. Trout of all sizes, including the large females, will be holding up against deeper grass banks that have some good current. Soft plastic Z-Man Original Trout Tricks in darker colors (such as “mood ring”) will be great for slower action in the current. Once live shrimp becomes more available, this becomes a top bait choice.
Redfish (thankfully) have been cooperating throughout the winter. The colder days have seen the fish schooled up in shallower creeks, especially during the low tide cycles. It has seemed to be a good class of 18-30” reds in these schools that are responding well to “root beer” and other dark-colored Z-Man soft plastics. Other productive baits in these creeks are live mud minnows on jig heads and natural-colored Vudu shrimp artificials.
Deep water docks along the ICW are holding good numbers of black drum and a few smaller red drum.
Jay Stroud, from Dunn, caught this trout while floating live shrimp in the Lockwood Folly River.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that speckled trout fishing has been good despite the tough winter weather. Anglers are having success with MirrOures, Vudu shrimp, and Saltwater Assassin baits in the area’s creeks.
Black drum are being caught with Carolina-rigged shrimp in the waterways. Targeting deeper holes with nearby structure has been key, and a few early sea mullet are hitting the same shrimp-rigged setups.
Red drum are still holding their winter pattern in the backs of creeks and rivers. As the water warms, these fish search more actively for food, and then Redfish Magic lures are great for getting strikes.
Moving further into March, all the inshore species will get more active, including flounder (despite being closed) for inshore anglers fishing live baits and soft plastics, as well as whiting for the surf anglers.
Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier is closed for the winter and will reopen in spring.
