Boats leaving the Shallotte and Lockwood Folly inlets fish reefs and ledges within 20 miles of the beach. This guide covers king mackerel fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach for owner-operators: when kings are around, how far the boats run, which named structure holds fish, how locals fish it, and who works the grounds. Depths are in feet and distances in nautical miles.
When kings are off Ocean Isle Beach
Kings are a target here from April through November, per Salty Dawg. For biology and migration, see the king mackerel guide. For how the run plays out along the coast, see the Atlantic Southeast picture (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
Season
| Window | Source |
|---|---|
| April through November | Salty Dawg |
How far boats run
Most of the fishing happens within a short run of the inlets, and going farther means a longer day.
Beach to 20 miles
Boats fish from the beach out to roughly 10 to 20 miles, a range that crosses from state water into federal water.
Frying Pan Tower shoals
Hobbs describes the Frying Pan Tower shoals as normally holding king mackerel. They are the farther run.
Reading conditions
NOAA’s NDBC 41013 Frying Pan Shoals sits at 33.44 N, 77.76 W. It is far offshore and does not read the nearshore reefs, so use it only as an offshore reference.
Before leaving the dock, check:
- Wind speed and direction
- Wave height
- Wave period
Compare them against the NWS Wilmington marine forecast for your zone.
Reefs and ledges that hold kings
The named reefs carry state artificial reef identifiers (AR numbers), plus PA-01 on the South Carolina side. The state artificial reef guide is the source for the AR sites. The table runs from the inlet outward.
| Name | ID | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Mon Reef (Fisherman’s Reef in one vendor list) | 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 Caudle Reef | PA-01 | 30 | Just outside Little River Inlet |
| Jim Knight Reef | AR-430 | 35 | |
| Brunswick County Fishing Club Reef | AR-440 | ||
| Frying Pan Tower shoals |
Shallotte boats have Jolly Mon, Dale Ward and the 100 ft ledges. Lockwood Folly boats have Dale McDowell and the 100 ft ledges. Jim Caudle sits off Little River Inlet near the South Carolina line. The Fisherman’s Reef name is useful for matching waypoints from other lists.
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How kings are fished here
Local boats use a short list of methods.
Slow-trolling live menhaden and cigar minnows
Slow-trolling live menhaden or cigar minnows is the local method for kings, as described in local Ocean Isle fishing reports.
Dead cigar minnows
Boats also fish dead cigar minnows when live bait is short.
Spoons and planers for Spanish
Trolling spoons behind planers is the local approach when Spanish mackerel are the target. For more on Spanish and the rest of the nearshore lineup, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Who fishes kings from this port
These operators list king mackerel:
- Salty Dawg Fishing Charters: Captain Harvey Wall
- 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
- Follow Me Charters (Follow Me Two): 42-ft Prowler, Capt. Fred and Capt. Forest
- Hey Now Charters: 33-ft Contender tournament center console with twin 350 Yamaha outboards
- Little River Fishing Fleet: Captains Cameron and Brittany Sebastian
FAQ about king mackerel fishing out of Ocean Isle Beach
When is king mackerel season out of Ocean Isle Beach?
April through November, per Salty Dawg.
How far do boats run for kings?
From the beach out to roughly 10 to 20 miles. The Frying Pan Tower shoals are the farther run.
What is the closest named reef to Shallotte Inlet?
Jolly Mon Reef (AR-460), 38 ft, just outside the inlet. One vendor list calls it Fisherman’s Reef.
What bait do local boats use?
Live menhaden or cigar minnows slow-trolled, plus dead cigar minnows. Spoons behind planers are used when Spanish are the target.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC 41013 at 33.44 N, 77.76 W. It sits far offshore and does not read the nearshore reefs. Check wind, wave height and period against the official forecast.
Do kings hold at Frying Pan Tower?
Hobbs describes the Frying Pan Tower shoals as normally holding king mackerel. They are the farther run past the reefs.
