Greater amberjack fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach happens on deeper structure and ledges, well away from the beach. The fish show up on the port’s 8- and 10-hour charter trips. This guide maps the grounds by inlet, with depths and distances. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
When greater amberjack are around Ocean Isle Beach
Ocean Isle Fishing Center lists greater amberjack on its 8- and 10-hour trips. For this port, that listing is a more useful season signal than a calendar.
A trip that long means a full day on deeper structure rather than a quick nearshore hop. If you run your own boat, plan the same kind of day: a longer run out of the inlet, time on the ground, and the run back. Fuel and daylight set the limits, so work the plan backward from the return.
For range, biology and how the fish behave elsewhere, see our greater amberjack species guide.
Where boats run and the structure that holds them
Boats run to offshore ledges off Ocean Isle, the deeper structure that holds greater amberjack. The named reefs near the port sit in 30 to 53 ft, and the Shallotte Inlet and Lockwood Folly Inlet ledges are the 100 ft ground.
The reefs are named structure near the port and haven’t been shown to hold amberjack. The AR numbers come from the North Carolina artificial reef guide, which is the place to confirm any reef before you run to it.
| Name | AR number | Depth (ft) | Distance/reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Caudle Reef | PA-01 | 30 | Just outside Little River Inlet |
| Jolly Mon Reef | AR-460 | 38 | Just outside Shallotte Inlet |
| Dale Ward Reef | AR-455 | 46 | About 7 nm from Shallotte Inlet |
| Shallotte Inlet ledges | 100 | ||
| Dale McDowell Reef | AR-445 | 53 | About 9.3 nm from Lockwood Folly Inlet |
| Lockwood Folly Inlet ledges | 100 | ||
| Jim Knight Reef | AR-430 | 35 | |
| Brunswick County Fishing Club Reef | AR-440 |
Little River Inlet: Jim Caudle Reef
Jim Caudle Reef (PA-01) sits at 30 ft, just outside Little River Inlet.
Shallotte Inlet: Jolly Mon, Dale Ward and the ledges
Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460) sits at 38 ft, just outside Shallotte Inlet. It is also called Fisherman’s Reef. Dale Ward Reef (AR-455) is at 46 ft, about 7 nm from the inlet. The Shallotte Inlet ledges, at 100 ft, are the deeper ground off this inlet.
Lockwood Folly Inlet: Dale McDowell and the ledges
Dale McDowell Reef (AR-445) sits at 53 ft, about 9.3 nm from Lockwood Folly Inlet, making it the deepest named reef in this set. The Lockwood Folly Inlet ledges are at 100 ft.
Jim Knight Reef and Brunswick County Fishing Club Reef
Jim Knight Reef (AR-430) sits at 35 ft. Brunswick County Fishing Club Reef carries AR-440.
Reading conditions offshore
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC 41013 Frying Pan Shoals, at 33.44 N, 77.76 W. It sits far offshore, so its numbers may not match the water off Shallotte Inlet.
Check wind, wave height and period on the NWS Wilmington marine forecast before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How greater amberjack are fished here
Locals bottom fish with cut bait. Greater amberjack share this ground with grouper and can take live baits meant for grouper, which you’ll notice if you fish the same ledges for both. For the other species that share this bottom, see the wider reef-fish picture.
Why cut bait instead of live bait
A live bait sent down for grouper is an easy meal for an amberjack. If amberjack is the goal, there is no reason to compete with that. Cut bait on the bottom takes amberjack on the same ground without relying on a live bait that grouper were meant to eat.
Who fishes for them out of Ocean Isle Beach
Two operators list greater amberjack from this area.
- Ocean Isle Fishing Center (Capt. Brant’s Fishing Adventures, Inc.) runs a 33-ft World Cat / Carolina Cat, a 22-ft Get Busy and a 22-ft Tiberias. Greater amberjack appear on its 8- and 10-hour trips.
- Little River Fishing Fleet is run by Captains Cameron and Brittany Sebastian, and it lists greater amberjack.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach
When do greater amberjack show up out of Ocean Isle Beach?
Greater amberjack fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach is tied to the longer runs. Ocean Isle Fishing Center lists greater amberjack on its 8- and 10-hour trips, so plan a full day on deeper structure and ledges.
How deep are the ledges off Shallotte and Lockwood Folly Inlets?
Both sets of ledges are at 100 ft. The named reefs near the port are shallower, at 30 to 53 ft.
What is the nearest reef to Shallotte Inlet?
Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460) is the nearest. It sits at 38 ft, just outside the inlet. Dale Ward Reef (AR-455) is next, at 46 ft and about 7 nm out.
Why do amberjack hit grouper baits?
Greater amberjack share this ground with grouper, and they can take live baits meant for grouper. Locals respond by fishing cut bait on the bottom.
Where should I read conditions before running offshore?
Use NDBC 41013 Frying Pan Shoals (33.44 N, 77.76 W), but it sits far offshore and may not match the water off the inlets. Check wind, wave height and period on the official NWS marine forecast.
