How to Catch Sea Bass in Ocean Isle Beach this Winter

Sea Bass Are a Winter Target Species

Let me tell you something about winter fishing here in Brunswick County - while most folks are putting their boats away, I'm gearing up for some of the easiest nearshore bottom fishing of the year. Here's what a lot of people don't realize: when the water temps drop below 60°F along the Carolina coast, Black Sea Bass actually move closer to shore. Instead of having to run 20+ miles offshore, we're catching limits just just a few miles out from Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Sunset Beach.

I've been fishing for Sea Bass in the Winter out of Ocean Isle Beach for years, and I'll tell you what I've learned - these fish stack up thick on our nearshore reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30+ feet of water. Because they stick close to structure, once you find a good spot, you can catch them steadily all day. They school up so tight during December through February that once we find them, it's game on. And trust me, after years of fishing these waters, I know exactly which spots are holding the bigger fish.

While your fishing buddies might be complaining that they're not catching anything in the Winter, my clients and I are often limiting out on keeper Sea Bass, with plenty of 2-3 pounders in the mix. The best part? With these fish concentrated on structure and ready to feed, we're usually back at the dock by lunch with enough fresh fillets for several family dinners!

Where to Find Black Sea Bass Near Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach & Sunset Beach

When targeting Black Sea Bass near Ocean Isle Beach in the Winter, location is everything. These fish won't be roaming in open water, they stay tight to structure where they can find food and safety. If you're launching from Shallotte Inlet, Lockwood Folly Inlet, or Little River Inlet, you're already in range of some of the best Sea Bass reefs along the Brunswick County coast.

Best Nearshore Reefs and Wrecks for Winter Sea Bass

• AR-460 "Jolly Mon Reef" or "Fisherman's Reef": Just offshore from Ocean Isle Beach, this artificial reef holds plenty of Winter Sea Bass. The reef's concrete pipes and rubble provide excellent habitat in 35-40 feet of water.
• AR-455: A productive reef near Sunset Beach and Shallotte Inlet, great for bottom fishing. The mix of concrete structures and steel creates diverse habitat zones that attract different sizes of fish. 40-45 feet depth.
• AR-465: A very productive reef that has over 2 million pounds of concrete rubble, a 180 foot sunken vessel, and 200 reef balls. Average depth is over 80 feet. This one is over 30 miles off the coast, so make sure to plan accordingly for safety.
• Little River Offshore Reef: A reliable spot for Black Sea Bass accessible from Little River Inlet. The reef's varied structure provides excellent fishing opportunities in 30-35 feet of water.
• Natural ledges and hard-bottom areas: These unmarked spots in 30-100 feet of water can be even better than reefs when you find the right structure. Look for areas with 3-5 feet of relief and scattered rock outcroppings.

GPS Coordinates for Artificial Reefs in NC

• NC Artificial Reefs Guide - Interactive
• NC Artificial Reefs Guide - PDF

Using Technology to Find Fish

If you have a good fish finder setup, look for ledges, sunken debris, and rocky outcroppings. Side-scan, when set to the maximum distance to each side, can help a lot in locating new spots. Pay attention to things like sudden depth changes of a few feet with hard returns indicating a rocky bottom, bait balls near structure, and suspended fish marks near bottom structure

Some of the best fishing comes from less-pressured spots that aren't on every chart. Mark waypoints on your chart plotter and keep note of productive areas and the conditions when you found fish there.

Best Bait and Tackle for Black Sea Bass

One reason Black Sea Bass fishing is so popular is that you don't need complicated gear. A simple bottom rig with natural bait is usually enough to get steady bites. However, having the right setup can significantly improve your success rate.

Rod and Reel Setup

• Recommended Rod / Reel: PENN Spinfisher VII Spinning Rod / Reel Combo - 4500
• Recommended Line: I like to use braided line for sensitivity and durability in deep water. The exact brand and model I use is Power PRO Super Slick V2 in 30 lb test.

Best Baits for Winter Sea Bass

Note: Always use fresh bait when possible. Frozen bait just doesn't have the same appeal to the fish. However, if you must use frozen due to lack of availability of fresh bait, don't let that stop you from fishing. And I do often use frozen squid, but I insist on other baits being fresh, particularly shrimp.

• Squid strips: The #1 bait choice — easy to use and very effective. Cut into 1-inch strips for best results.
• Cut bait (mullet, menhaden): Works well for targeting larger sea bass.
• Shrimp: A great natural bait option that's super easy to rig and fish with and is available everywhere along the coast year-round.
• Jigs: Effective when worked close to the bottom. Jigs in the 2-4 oz range work well. Here's one of my preferred Sea Bass Jigs.
• Scented Soft Plastics: The Berkley Gulp Minnow, fished on a jig head or on a dropper rig. 3" or 4" sizes on jig heads and 2" sizes on dropper rigs work well. I prefer white or chartreuse colors.

Rigging Tips

I like using double or triple dropper rigs (double rig pictured here) for fishing multiple baits, using just enough weight to get the bait down - usually 1-2 ounces is plenty. You can also use the below materials to make your own rigs, but be sure to minimize terminal tackle to reduce snags, tangles, and cost. You can also customize your rigs by adding beads or small strips of red or orange surgical tubing above the hooks for added attraction. If you'd prefer to buy a good quality pre-made rig then try this Pre-Made Double-Dropper Rig.

• Hooks: Mustad 9174 Live Bait Hooks or Owner 5314 Mutu Light Circle Hook in 1/0 or 2/0 sizes.
• Leader: Seaguar Blue Label Leader in 40 lb test
• Swivels: AFW Ball-Bearing Swivels in in black, 65 lb test
• Sinkers / Weights: 2 Oz Bank Sinkers
• Scents: Consider using scent attractants like Pro Cure Scent on your artificial lures

Techniques for Catching More and Bigger Sea Bass

Finding the fish is only half the battle — how you fish matters. Here's how to increase your catch rate:

• Stay on the structure: If you drift off the reef, you'll lose the bite. Use GPS anchoring "spot-lock" if available, anchor up, or manually maintain your position.
• Use a slow jigging motion: Using a slower motion helps to trigger bites from bigger fish. A subtle lift-and-drop typically works better than aggressive jerks.
• Fish at the right depth: If you're getting bites but only catching small fish, find a deeper area nearby. Larger Sea Bass often hold near the bottom of structure.
• Time your trips: Early morning and late afternoon typically produce better results, but check the weather and use that as your primary factor over time of day.
• Watch the tide / currents: Moving water often triggers more aggressive feeding

Cleaning and Storing Your Catch

Proper handling of your fish from the time it is caught up until the time you eat it is important, not just for taste, but also for food safety. Here's what I recommend:

I also recommend using a super sharp, flexible filet knife like the Bubba 9" Tapered Flex Filet Knife.

Winter Weather Considerations and Safety

Winter fishing can be incredibly rewarding, but safety is key. Cold fronts, high winds, and rough seas can turn a good day bad quickly. Consider downloading the "Windy App", which is what I use for current and future wind, waves, and sea conditions. NOAA is also a great source for sea conditions.

Ideal Conditions for Winter Sea Bass

• Wind speeds under 15 knots
• Seas 2-3 feet or less
• Stable barometer or slight rising trend
• Water temperatures between 50-60°F. I'm writing this in mid-February of 2025 and our nearshore water temps right now are about 52 degrees.
• Clear to slightly stained water - generally not an issue in the Winter when the water is very clear.

Best Local Fishing Resources

• Fishing License: NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License CRFL (not needed on fishing charters)
• Local Bait and Tackle Shops:
  • Ocean Isle Beach: Ocean Isle Fishing Center at 65 Causeway Dr, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
  • Sunset Beach: Dave's Outpost at 205 Sunset Blvd N, Sunset Beach, NC 28468
  • Holden Beach: Rod & Reel Shop at 3401 Holden Beach Rd SW, Holden Beach, NC 28462
• Local Boat Ramps:
  • Ocean Isle Beach Boat Ramp (beside OIFC)
  • Brick Landing Boat Ramp at 2000 Bricklanding Rd SW, Shallotte, NC 28470
  • Holden Beach Boat Ramp at 0 Jordan Boulevard Holden Beach, NC 28462
  • Sunset Beach Boat Ramp at 101 Sunset Blvd N, Sunset Beach, NC 28468
• Local Fishing Charter: Salty Dawg Fishing Charters

Common FAQs for Sea Bass Fishing in Winter

Do I need a fishing license?

Yes, a NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required, but your license is included with Salty Dawg Fishing Charters (and most other charters).

Should I book a charter or take my own boat?

If you're new to the area or nearshore fishing, a charter is recommended to learn the spots and techniques. Also, know that the fishing conditions aren't the only danger, but navigating our area inlets: Shallotte Inlet and Little River Inlet can be somewhat treacherous if you're not familiar with the inlets.

Can I catch sea bass from the beach or pier in winter?

Not usually, as Winter Sea Bass typically hold on structures 3-10 miles offshore. While the other seasons will see a few catches from the Ocean isle Beach Pier, or the ICW or beaches here in Brunswick County, Winter Sea Bass fishing is exclusively a nearshore fishery here. Your best bet is booking a nearshore fishing charter or using your own boat capable of safely handling Winter ocean conditions.

Is winter sea bass fishing good for kids and first-timers?

Absolutely! Winter sea bass fishing is perfect for families and beginners. The fish are concentrated in specific areas, bite readily, and provide steady action. Plus, the shorter runs to fishing grounds (3-10 miles) mean less time traveling and more time fishing.

What's the difference between Summer and Winter Sea Bass fishing?

Winter fishing actually offers better opportunities for bigger Sea Bass. In Summer, most keeper-sized fish are 20+ miles offshore in deeper water. During Winter, these larger fish move nearshore where they're more accessible. The trade-off is that Winter requires more attention to weather windows.

What's a realistic expectation for our catch during a winter sea bass trip?

On a decent winter day out of Ocean Isle Beach, an angler can expect to catch several sea bass, with several keepers over 13 inches. The biggest fish typically run 2+ pounds, though we occasionally see larger fish. Most importantly, you can expect steady action - it's rare to go more than a few minutes without a bite when we're on a good spot. On a recent trip in February of 2025, I had a father and son on a 4 hour nearshore charter that caught over 150 sea bass. Not all trips are as successful as that one, but when you find them, stay on the spot and wear them out!

What's the advantage of artificial reefs versus natural bottom for winter sea bass?

Artificial reefs like Jolly Mon and AR-465 tend to hold more fish consistently, but natural bottom spots often produce bigger fish. The key difference is predictability - I can almost guarantee action on the artificial reefs, while natural bottom requires more searching but can produce trophy catches. That's why I typically start clients on the artificial reefs and then move to natural bottom once they've gotten some fish in the boat.

If we catch our limit of Sea Bass early, what other species might we target in Winter?

When my clients limit out on Sea Bass, I switch to targeting Black Drum or Sheepshead. If they want to run inshore, we can target reds or trout. I keep multiple rigs ready for whatever opportunity presents itself.

Final Thoughts: Why Winter Sea Bass Fishing is Worth It

If you're looking for consistent action, great-tasting fish, and an easy Winter fishing trip, nearshore fishing for Black Sea Bass in North Carolina is hard to beat. With less pressure on the fish, steady bites, and easy access from Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Sunset Beach, Winter is the perfect time to hit the water.

Want to experience it for yourself? Give me a call or text at 910.250.8459 or BOOK MY TRIP ONLINE and let's get after some Black Sea Bass!

Tight Lines,

Captain Harvey Wall
Salty Dawg Fishing Charters

Author: Captain Harvey Wall   |   Written: February 11, 2025   |   This article contains paid affiliate links.