This page covers wahoo fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County: when the fish show, the run from the nearshore reefs to the 100-ft ledges, how they are fished, and which charters list them. Inlet and port details are on the Ocean Isle Beach port page.
When wahoo are off Ocean Isle Beach
Wahoo show here in late spring, and the strongest run comes in October and November. For regional timing, see the Atlantic Southeast wahoo guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide). For biology and tackle, see the wahoo species guide.
| Window | Timing off this port |
|---|---|
| First window | Late spring |
| Strongest run | October and November |
Late spring
The first fish arrive in late spring, and boats begin putting trolling spreads out toward the ledges.
The fall run
October and November bring the strongest run, and owner-operators plan their ledge trips around it. Conditions numbers matter most then; see "Reading conditions" below.
Where boats run: reefs and ledges
Boats out of this port use Shallotte Inlet, Lockwood Folly Inlet and Little River Inlet. The reefs are structure on the way out, and the 100-ft ledges are the deepest named ground.
Nearshore reefs
Working outward from the inlet:
- Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460), also listed as Fisherman’s Reef: 38 ft, just outside Shallotte Inlet.
- Dale Ward Reef (AR-455): 46 ft, about 7 nm from Shallotte Inlet.
- Dale McDowell Reef (AR-445): 53 ft, about 9.3 nm from Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Jim Caudle Reef (PA-01) is the western option: 30 ft, just outside Little River Inlet.
| Name | AR/PA number | Depth | Position note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Mon Reef (Fisherman’s Reef) | AR-460 | 38 ft | Just outside Shallotte Inlet |
| Dale Ward Reef | AR-455 | 46 ft | About 7 nm from Shallotte Inlet |
| Dale McDowell Reef | AR-445 | 53 ft | About 9.3 nm from Lockwood Folly Inlet |
| Jim Knight Reef | AR-430 | 35 ft | |
| Brunswick County Fishing Club Reef | AR-440 | ||
| Jim Caudle Reef | PA-01 | 30 ft | Just outside Little River Inlet |
| Shallotte Inlet ledges | 100 ft | ||
| Lockwood Folly Inlet ledges | 100 ft |
The 100-ft ledges
The Shallotte Inlet ledges and the Lockwood Folly Inlet ledges both sit at 100 ft, the deepest named structure off this port.
Reading conditions
NDBC 41013 Frying Pan Shoals is the nearest NOAA buoy, at 33.44 N, 77.76 W, far offshore.
It reports:
- Offshore wind
- Wave height
- Wave period
It does not report:
- What the bar at Shallotte, Lockwood Folly or Little River Inlet is doing
- Nearshore conditions
Read the wind, wave height and period numbers, then check the NWS Wilmington marine forecast before you run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How wahoo are fished here
Three methods cover most of the local fishing, and all three are about covering water.
Skirted ballyhoo
Skirted ballyhoo is a natural bait pulled at about 7 knots, fast enough to cover water.
High-speed trolling
High-speed trolling covers the most water between waypoints.
Edges and eddies
Temperature edges and current eddies decide where boats troll. The edges show up on the OBS SST and Chlorophyll layers.
| Method | Use |
|---|---|
| Skirted ballyhoo | Natural bait pulled at about 7 knots |
| High-speed trolling | Covers the most water |
| Edges and eddies | Picks where to troll |
Charters that fish wahoo from this port
These operators list wahoo out of Ocean Isle Beach:
- Capt. Austin’s Fishing Adventures: 33 World Cat, 33 Carolina Cat, 27 Contender.
- Ocean Isle Fishing Center (Capt. Brant’s Fishing Adventures, Inc.): 33-ft World Cat / Carolina Cat, 22-ft Get Busy, 22-ft Tiberias.
- Hey Now Charters: 33-ft Contender tournament center console with twin 350 Yamaha outboards.
- Ollie Raja Charters: 28-ft Blue Water center console.
- Rigged & Ready Charters: 33-ft Onslow Bay (twin 350 Mercury) and 35-ft Contender (triple 300 Verado).
FAQ: wahoo fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach
When is wahoo fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach best?
Wahoo show in late spring, and the strongest run comes in October and November.
How deep are the ledges off Shallotte and Lockwood Folly inlets?
Both sets of ledges sit at 100 ft, the deepest named structure off this port.
What trolling speed do local boats use for wahoo?
About 7 knots with skirted ballyhoo. Boats also high-speed troll and work temperature edges and current eddies.
Which reef is just outside Shallotte Inlet?
Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460), also called Fisherman’s Reef, at 38 ft. Dale Ward Reef (AR-455) sits at 46 ft, about 7 nm from the inlet.
What does the Frying Pan Shoals buoy tell me?
NDBC 41013 reads offshore conditions at 33.44 N, 77.76 W. It does not show the inlet bars, so check the official marine forecast before running.
Where do I find other offshore species?
The coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover the other species you can target from this port.
