We’ve wrapped up another spring season here in Ocean Isle Beach, and despite a colder winter and a few curveballs, the fishing held strong. From redfish and flounder inshore to Spanish mackerel and bonita offshore, we had a solid couple of months with plenty of action for both first-timers and seasoned anglers.
Inshore Fishing Report – Redfish, Flounder, Black Drum & Trout
We started the season off slow due to a colder-than-normal winter and a cold stun event that closed our speckled trout season through June. Even though we couldn’t keep trout, they were still biting early in the season on hardbaits like the MirrOlure 52MR. As water temps warmed, Z-Man and MirrOlure soft plastics picked up the slack.
Redfish were the consistent performers this spring. We saw a strong average size between 24–26 inches, with plenty of healthy fish landed around moving water and structure. Flounder arrived mid-spring right on schedule and made a solid showing — we had multiple catches in the 22–24 inch range on soft plastics and paddletails bounced slowly near the bottom.
Black drum and sheepshead fishing got off to a slower start than usual, but once spring settled in, both species became more active on shrimp and fiddlers around docks and pilings. Nothing fancy, just solid light tackle action that produced fish when conditions lined up.
Nearshore Fishing – Spanish, Bonita, and Gray Trout
This spring was one of the best we've seen in recent years for Atlantic Bonita and Gray Trout (Weakfish). The Spanish mackerel bite also fired off early — they showed up a couple of weeks ahead of schedule and were feeding aggressively on bait schools around the reefs.
Trolling spoons like Clarkspoons and Drone spoons behind #1 planers got the job done early in the season. We started out catching a nice mix of Spanish and bonita, then switched focus to Spanish once the bonita moved on. Most of the Spanish were caught 3–7 miles out over reef structure and hard bottom.
Gray trout action was a welcome bonus this spring. We found them tight to the bottom near reefs and ledges and caught them jigging bucktails and soft plastics vertically. It was a fun light tackle option that produced some great afternoons.
We also saw an unusual early-season inshore catch — a few triggerfish landed near Jolly Mon Reef. That’s a rare sight for spring and made for a nice surprise on some trips.
Shark Fishing Report – Season Kickoff
Sharks started showing up in late May, right on cue. We landed a solid 7-foot tiger shark that officially kicked off our summer shark season. That fish put up a serious fight and had everyone on board fired up for more.
We’re running shark trips regularly now, with sharks of all species making appearances. If you're planning a trip, I recommend using 80 lb braid, a 200 lb mono leader, enough lead to get the bait near the bottom, and strong circle hooks (non-offset, non-stainless). I’ll share a detailed shark gear breakdown soon with links for those looking to gear up.
Kids Trips and Family Fishing Fun
Spring was a great time for kids fishing trips, especially our nearshore runs. Sea bass kept the action steady and rods bent for younger anglers, and everyone left smiling. These trips are always a highlight of my spring season.
Looking Ahead – Summer Fishing Preview
As we move into summer, expect fish to feed more aggressively early and late in the day — especially inshore. Redfish and flounder will remain strong, and the Spanish mackerel bite should continue to be solid nearshore. Shark fishing is only going to get better as the water continues to warm.
If you want to get out there with me this summer, I’ve got some open dates. Book direct at fishoceanisle.com or give me a call. Let’s go catch something memorable.
Tight Lines,
Captain Harvey Wall
Salty Dawg Fishing Charters