Ocean Isle/Holden Beach – May 2025
Jeff, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the area is starting to see good numbers of peanut pogies, which is a great sign moving into May.
Live pogies or mud minnows rigged on jig heads or Carolina rigs are the top options for red drum.
Some smaller flounder (12-15” range) are starting to hit the live bait offerings.
Anglers aren’t seeing many black drum, but a Carolina-rigged shrimp should attract a few bites.
Whiting are still being caught around the river mouths for anglers targeting the deeper holes.
The sheepshead bite has been stellar on both mud crabs and fiddler crabs.
Brant, of Ocean Isle Fishing Center, reports that the coming month should be increasingly busy. Gulf Stream trolling runs will be producing wahoo, blackfin tuna, and mahi. The wahoo and tuna can be found in the 150-300’ range, and mahi will be further out around weed lines and current edges.
Grouper season opens May 1. Based on trips last fall, anglers should anticipate seeing plenty of gags, along with scattered vermilion snapper and triggerfish. Efforts are typically concentrated in the 100-120’ range, and live bait is going to be the best option.
Nearshore anglers have found plenty of Atlantic bonito around, with spanish mackerel joining the action, too.
King mackerel will soon be in nearshore waters in better numbers, as local pier anglers are already beginning to see them show up. The “schoolie” sized kings will be staging up in the 50-60’ range, and by mid-May, the 10-20 lb. class of fish should be seen more regularly.
Once the schools of menhaden show up along the beaches, anglers should also start looking out for cobia.
Mya Vickers, of Holden Beach, caught this red drum in the ICW behind Holden Beach using a live mud minnow.
Tripp, of Capt’n Hook Outdoors, reports that Atlantic bonito have been plentiful over reefs in the 3-5 mile range. Trolling Clarkspoons and Yo-Zuri deep divers have been effective tactics, with anglers looking for surface-feeding frenzies so they can throw Big Nic Spanish Candies.
The area is also seeing the first schools of spanish mackerel (18-22” class) around while trolling for bonito.
The king mackerel will be moving in as water temperatures hit that 68-70 degree mark. Some of these first kings are in the 8-10 lb. range, and they will be staging up over structure in the 45-65’ area.
Moving into May, the first cobia should show up over these same nearshore reefs.
Inshore trips are focused on black drum and red drum action around docks. The falling and lower ends of the tide have been more productive, as it groups up these fish a little better. Dead shrimp is the top bait for black drum, with reds feeding on live pogies or mud minnows.
Some larger speckled trout are being caught around the jetties and along shell banks in the ICW. Anglers are still finding a few trout in the creeks, though most have moved out. Topwater plugs, such as Rapala Skitterwalks, are having a lot of success inshore, especially early or late in the day on the mid to high rising tide. Around the jetty, soft plastics on 1/4 oz. jig heads are best.
Anthony, of Salt Fever Guide Service, reports that wahoo and blackfin tuna have made up a majority of the offshore action. The good news is that the water is warming quickly and any time over the next few weeks, boats will also see some mahi showing up. Anglers will do well pulling any variety of skirted ballyhoo, Ilander lures, or Chuggerheads. Color doesn’t matter as much, especially with aggressive mahi, as they will strike just about anything.
Grouper season opens at the beginning of May. For the best chances at gags and scamps, target the deeper, less pressured, and more productive structure in the 200’+ range. This depth also helps in keeping away from all the American red snapper and amberjacks that will be in the shallower waters.
Brett Pace, of Virginia, caught this whiting while fishing from the Ocean Isle Beach surf using frozen shrimp.
Philip, of Rod and Reel Shop, reports that surf anglers have been catching whiting and croakers with double-drop rigs and shrimp.
Pompano have started to make a showing, and this bite should only pick up as water temperatures warm.
Anglers fishing deeper holes around the inlet and river mouths are catching whiting.
Dock pilings in the waterways are holding a mix of red drum, black drum, and sheepshead.
Off the beach, Atlantic bonito and spanish mackerel are all over structure in the 30-45’ range, and bluefish schools are more common closer to the shore (15-30’).
Scott, of Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, reports that bottom fishing efforts are producing plenty of whiting.
Casting action is starting to pick up, with anglers hooking some bluefish and the first few spanish mackerel of the year.
