Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Charters & Guides

Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Charters

North Carolina is one of our favorite places to vacation; there is adventure around every corner! Whether you’re near the Blue Ridge mountains on the west side of the state, or walking along the coastal shores to the east, North Carolina vacations create memories that last a lifetime. One of those coastal cities, Ocean Isle Beach, is by far a family favorite. Generations of families go back year after year to this beachtown enjoying the local shops and restaurants. And the weather is nice twelve months of the year, so plan a visit any time. If you are planning a summer vacation to Ocean Isle Beach, we recommend making your reservations early (for both lodging and excursions). One excursion that is great for families is the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Here explorers of all ages can enjoy learning more about the area’s wildlife, discovering more about the local plants and animals on display here. Then go outside to find these items and more just outside your door. Ocean Isle Beach is located near the southern part of North Carolina, with several creeks and Intracoastal Waterway to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, so there is plenty of wildlife to explore. Ocean Isle Beach is an island surrounded by waterways in every direction. It’s connected to the mainland by State Highway 904, known locally as the Causeway. On the Ocean Isle side of the bridge is a boat ramp with opportunities for fishing. Most of the houses on this side of the island also have access to the Intracoastal Waterway. If you’re renting a house in the area, bring along a few poles and fish from the dock!

Fishing Near Ocean Isle Beach

Speaking of fishing and the Intracoastal Waterway, this is a great place to start your fishing adventure if you have young kids or first time anglers. Especially if you’re near the Causeway bridge, you can cast your line near the structure and target sheepshead, a black and white striped fish with teeth that feed on crustaceans. They use their chompers on the nearby oyster beds and crabs found near the bridge. Use live or fresh cut bait and you should have no trouble at all reeling in a good-sized sheepshead. The nearby creeks & marshes are also great fishing grounds for red drum (also known as redfish) and speckled trout, known locally as “specks”. It’s a maze of water on the west side of the island; we recommend hiring a local guide that knows the area and where the fish are hiding. Your guide will stalk the flats with light tackle gear and get you the fish in no time at all. Use live or cut bait such as shrimp, crab, or finger mullets for best results. If you don’t have a boat and want to go fishing on your own, you can fish from the shore, or try the Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier. The pier is located near the center of the island on the Atlantic Ocean side. It’s a 968 foot wooden pier that has provided anglers a place to drop a line for years and years. If you show up empty handed, but realize that the fish are calling your name, the pier bait & tackle shop can rent gear and sell essentials for your day of fishing. You can also purchase a fishing pass, no license required. When fishing the pier you can catch sheepshead, speckled trout, redfish, flounder, bluefish, pompano, cobia, and more. Speaking of cobia, this is a fantastic nearshore fish that is an adrenaline rush like no other. Fish for cobia in the spring and summer months, within five to ten miles of the coastline. Cobia are bottom feeders, but if you chum the waters you’ll see them come to the surface to eat. Cast your bait, set the hook, then hold on for the ride. Cobia can weigh about 40 pounds and are known to throw their weight around. While sheepshead are a great fish for the little kids, cobia are for the strong and athletic among the group.

Ocean Isle Beach Offshore Fishing

Heading further out you’ll find a buffet of offshore species waiting for you. Whether you fish in waters 30 to 70 feet deep, or even 80 to 120 feet deep, your group is sure to have the adventure of a lifetime. If you want to fish the deeper waters (found 30 to 40 miles offshore), you’ll spend a considerable amount of time driving to the fishing grounds. But this is where the mega-sized fish are found, and the wait is worth it! Bottom feeders found in the area include a variety of snapper and grouper. Gag grouper and red grouper in particular are fun to catch. Anglers fishing in late summer or early fall will benefit from the healthy population of gags running in the area. Or try your hand at pelagic species such as sailfish, marlin, and mahi mahi. Kingfish (also known as king mackerel) are another favorite among Ocean Isle Beach fishing charters. Troll a few lines with shiny bait (such as cigar minnows or sardines) and soon you’ll be shouting “Fish On!” June and July are the best months to plan your kingfish adventure.

Book An Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Charter

There’s no shortage of opportunities when you’re looking to go fishing in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Visit the local bait & tackle shop, drop a line at the pier, or hire a local guide to get you closer to the action. Find a local Ocean Isle Beach captain today with FishAnywhere.com, and your fishing trip is just a click away. Let’s fish!