Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Report - July 2025

July 2025 Inshore Fishing Report

Red Drum (Redfish)

Look for redfish around grass banks, oyster points, docks, and deeper creek mouths. Early morning and rising or lower tides offer the best opportunity. Start with topwater plugs like Skitter Walks or Spooks at first light. Switch to live or cut menhaden and mullet on Carolina rigs or jig heads as the sun rises. Soft plastics like Z-Man or Gulp also work well in stained water or during midmorning lulls. If the bite slows, don’t be afraid to move — redfish are often spread out this time of year.

Flounder

Flounder are active in creek mouths, shallow flats, sandy drops, and along grass seams. The morning bite is typically strongest, especially on moving water. Fish live shrimp, finger mullet, or soft plastics slowly along the bottom. Target areas with subtle depth changes or current seams. Drift or fan-cast to cover more ground and locate feeding fish.

Speckled Trout

Speckled trout are holding in deeper pockets near structure, creek mouths, and shaded areas with good water flow. Focus on low-light periods — early morning and late afternoon are best. Use live shrimp under popping corks or free-lined, along with paddle tails and jerk shads on light jig heads. Topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes right before sunrise.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are biting well around hard structure like bridges, docks, pilings, and sea walls. Fish during moderate current — avoid slack or overly strong flow. Use live fiddler or mud crabs on small hooks with just enough weight to stay vertical and close to structure. Keep your line tight and be patient; their bites are subtle but deliberate.

Black Drum

Look for black drum near creek holes, oyster beds, jetties, and docks. They tend to bite best on slower moving tides. Use fresh shrimp or small crabs on Carolina rigs, targeting the bottom around deeper structure or current seams. Black drum are often found in the same areas as redfish and sheepshead.

Inshore Tips for Success

• Start early — the first few hours of daylight are key.
• Fish moving water — falling and rising tides activate feeding.
• Cycle through bait — topwater and soft plastics early, natural bait midmorning.
• Move if needed — no bite in 15–20 minutes? Try a new spot.
• Target structure and current seams — all inshore species are using these zones.
• If fishing natural baits, bring multiple bait types — shrimp, crabs, mullet, etc...

Inshore Gear Recommendations

This is the exact same gear used on my inshore fishing charters.

• Rod / Reel: PENN Battle IV Fishing Rod & Reel Combo
• Fishing Line: Berkley X9 Braided Fishing Line
• Leader: Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon 20 lb test
• Slip Float: Betts Billy Boy Medium Slip Float
• Egg Sinker: 3/8 to 1/2 oz egg sinker - Use for cut bait, live bait, slip float rigs.
• Treble Hook: VMC 9651 X-Strong Short Round Bend Treble Hook #6 size - use for slip float rigs.
• Live Bait / Cut Bait Hook: 2/0 circle hook (Owner Mutu Light 5114)
• Sheepshead Hooks: VMC 9299 Octopus Hook 1/0
• Topwater Lures: MirroLure Top Dawg Jr
• Soft Plastics: Z-Man Trout Trick, Z-Man Goat, Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet, Berkley Gulp Shrimp
• Jig Heads: Dr Fish 3D Eye 1/4 oz Jig Head
• Lure Colors: In the Summer I use a lot of white colored soft plastic lures for flounder and a range of colors for reds and trout. Any soft plastic that has a chartreuse tail also seems to work a little better. I also like rootbeer, new penny, and watermelon colors.

July 2025 Nearshore Fishing Report

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are feeding heavily 1–5 miles off the beach, especially around bait pods, glass minnows, and bird activity. Early morning and late afternoon are best when the water is clean. Troll Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers with 20–30 ft mono leaders at 5–7 knots. Run a staggered spread with one deep, one mid, and one surface line. If you find fish on top, switch to casting Got-Cha plugs, jigs, or spoons on light spinning gear.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are holding 3–10 miles offshore, particularly around hard bottom, shipping channels, and reef structure. The bite is better earlier. Slow-troll live bait such as menhadenon 40 lb single strand wire. Downriggers, planers, or weighted lines help vary your depth. If live bait is scarce, dead cigar minnows on skirted rigs will still get hits. Be ready to sabiki up bait if needed.

Nearshore Tips for Success

• Use sonar to locate bait and structure — that’s where kings and Spanish will be.
• Troll fast (5–7 mph) for Spanish; slow (1-3 mph) for kings with live bait.
• Use wire leaders — 30–40 lb for kings, 20–30 lb for Spanish if needed.
• Run multiple depths — surface, mid, and deep to cover the water column.
• Look for clear water — both species feed more aggressively in clean conditions. I really like fishing the clean side of the tide line outside of inlets.
• Longer leaders reduce spooking in clear water — especially for kings.