Fall 2025 Fishing Report – Ocean Isle Beach, NC

What Fish Are Biting in OIB this Fall?

Fall is the switch that flips everything on. Shorter days, cooler mornings, and rivers full of bait push our inshore fish to feed hard. October into November is the window I look forward to all year around Ocean Isle Beach—the ICW, Shallotte and Calabash Rivers, and Little River Inlet—because redfish and speckled trout turn aggressive and feed heavy before winter sets in. We still catch some quality flounder in the mix, but most of them are beginning their offshore migration by late fall.

This Fall 2025 Ocean Isle Beach fishing report covers what I’m seeing on the water right now, how I’m fishing it, and what to expect moving into December along the Brunswick County, NC coast.

Inshore Bite: Redfish, Speckled Trout & Flounder

Redfish (Puppy Drum)

October is the jumpstart for inshore fishing in Ocean Isle Beach. As water temps tick down, reds slide onto oyster points, grass edges, and docks—anywhere current moves bait. Early mornings are perfect for walking topwater plugs along marsh lines and shallow shell points with slow cadence and long pauses. Once the sun climbs, I switch to shrimp- or mullet-profile soft plastics on 1/16–1/4 oz jigheads, or go natural with live or fresh-cut mullet or menhaden on a light Carolina rig.

• Where to look: creek mouths, deep bends with shell, ICW docks, and anywhere bait pushes through moving water.
• When to fish: moving water is key—the cleaner side of the tide usually produces best.
• Tackle tip: when you bump into a bigger class of fish, step up leader strength and land them quickly for a healthy release.

Fall redfish fishing in the Shallotte and Little River areas is hard to beat, and Ocean Isle Beach offers some of the most consistent action on the North Carolina coast.

Speckled Trout

November consistently produces some of my best speckled trout catches. Most days they’ll bite—you just have to match their mood and depth. I start with suspending hard baits in 2–6’ when fish ride higher, then switch to sinking profiles and soft plastics once current strengthens or the bite drops deeper. Cover water and vary retrieve until you find the rhythm.

• Suspending hard baits (17MR/22MR styles) for 0–3’.
• Sinking options (18MR/51M/52MR styles) for 2–8’, especially in stronger current or deeper holes.
• Soft plastics like Berkley Gulp Shrimp or Jerkshads on 1/16–1/4 oz jigheads.
• Live bait—shrimp or small mullet under a cork for 2–6’, or light Carolina rigs for deeper holes.

The fall trout bite peaks through November and early December, especially around higher tides and clear water. I typically run clear 20-lb fluoro leaders and bump to 30-lb when the blues show up.

Flounder

Flounder have bitten well all year, but by late fall they begin moving offshore. You’ll still catch them while targeting reds or trout—especially around docks, grass banks, and ledges in 3–6’. Live mullet is still king, with soft plastics bounced slowly on the bottom also working. Flounder harvest rules change year-to-year, so plan on catch-and-release unless the season opens back up.

Want a doormat shot before they slide out? The Shallotte River and near the inlets are your best bets in late fall.

Fall Bull Drum Bite on the Carolina Coast

Late September through October brings one of the most exciting fisheries on the coast—the Bull Red Drum season. These giants push along the beaches, inlets, and nearshore hard bottom chasing bait pods and mullet schools. Look for diving birds and nervous bait on the surface—that’s your cue they’re tight. Most fish are found in 6–20’ or around structure just off the beach.

My rig: a knocker rig with a 9/0 circle hook, 40-lb fluorocarbon leader, and a 3–4 oz egg sinker (current dependent), baited with fresh cut or live menhaden/mullet. Keep the drag tight so the circle hook sets itself, and use medium-heavy tackle to shorten the fight for a clean release. If the bite fades on one pod, slide to another or shift to a nearby reef.

This is power fishing at its best—hard-fighting fish, big releases, great pics, and the kind of fall action that keeps anglers coming back year after year.

Nearshore Action: King Mackerel, Spanish & Sea Bass

As the North Carolina fall fishing season progresses, nearshore action stays strong through late November on weather windows.

King Mackerel

When temps fall into the 60s, king mackerel nearshore fire up. Expect steady action in 40–60’ over ledges and artificial reefs. Slow-trolled live menhaden or dead cigar minnows are consistent, and on calm days kings can push right onto the beach. Watch bait concentrations and water color—clean green water with life usually means kings aren’t far.

Spanish Mackerel & Bluefish

Spanish hang through mid- to late-October, often feeding just outside the inlets or around bait balls off the beach. High-speed spoons, small deep-divers, and tins to breaking fish all work. Bluefish mix in and will smash anything moving fast. These bait-driven blitzes are common near nearshore reefs off Ocean Isle Beach when conditions line up.

Black Sea Bass

As water temps cool, black sea bass push onto shallower hard bottom and artificial reefs within 10 miles. Squid, cut bait, or jigs all produce. It’s a dependable late-season fishery and a great way to bend rods when pelagics get picky.

Fall Conditions, Water Temps & Bait Patterns

• Water temps: low 70s dropping into upper 60s through November, then 50s by December.
• Bait migration: mullet and menhaden are thick in the creeks and along the beach; as they push seaward, everything from trout to bull reds feeds aggressively.
• Tides: moving water is everything—incoming brings cleaner water for trout, outgoing sets ambush lanes for reds.
• Adjustments: if trout short-strike, slow cadence or downsize; if reds get skittish, add scent or downsize.

This time of year, bait migration along the North Carolina coast drives the bite. Follow the bait and you’ll stay on fish.

As November winds down and cold fronts start pushing through, patterns shift quickly—but there’s still great fishing to be had if you know where to look.

December 2025 Fishing Outlook – Brunswick County, NC

Speckled Trout

Early December stays strong on shell banks, points, and creek mouths. As temps drop, trout slide into deeper holes and slow their bite. Downsizing baits and slowing retrieves is the key. Live shrimp still works when you can find it, but soft plastics and slow-worked suspending baits keep rods bent.

Red Drum

Cool water pushes reds to school tight in creeks and skinny flats. On sunny days, hunt dark bottoms that hold heat. Around the inlets, cut bait and shrimp remain dependable.

Black Drum & Sheepshead

Black drum stick to docks and deeper structure, feeding on shrimp or fiddlers. Sheepshead linger into early winter—bridges and older pilings are best.

Nearshore Kings & Sea Bass

The first half of December can still produce kings on nearshore reefs and ledges, but most slide offshore once temps dip below the mid-60s. Sea bass remain steady on 50–70’ reefs and are a favorite cold-weather target when the forecast cooperates.

Surf Bite

Expect steady whiting, plus scattered reds and pompano on cleaner days, with bluefish chasing bait along the beach.

Bottom line for Ocean Isle Beach and Brunswick County: excellent trout and redfish inshore, dependable sea bass and occasional king mackerel nearshore on good weather days.

Top Fishing Gear & Lures for Fall Inshore Fishing

Here’s the exact tackle I rely on every fall in OIB, Holden, and Sunset Beaches:

Frequently Asked Questions — Fall Fishing in OIB

What fish are biting in Ocean Isle Beach in the fall?

When is the bull red drum run in North Carolina?

What’s the best bait for speckled trout in fall?

Where should I fish for redfish near Ocean Isle Beach?

Can I still catch fish in Ocean Isle Beach during December?

Plan Your Trip

Planning a trip to Ocean Isle Beach this fall? Check tide charts, NC fishing regulations, and the latest size limits for redfish, trout, and flounder before you go. You’ll find links to those resources and updated reports at FishOceanIsle.com.

Book Your Fall or Winter Fishing Charter

Fall through early winter is prime time on the water here. The redfish and speckled trout bite is as consistent as it gets, the bull red run is wrapping up, and calm days nearshore still bring kings and sea bass. If you’re ready to chase trout on artificials, sight-cast to schooling reds, or sneak out for a nearshore trip before the holidays, now’s the time.

Book your Ocean Isle Beach fishing charter at FishOceanIsle.com or call 910.250.8459.