NC summertime saltwater fishing report

The current fishing report is a big mixed bag of species

As July comes to a close, the summer heat hasn’t put a damper on the fishing report along North Carolina’s coast. It’s been a big mixed bag for anglers from the Outer Banks to Sunset Beach.

Nags Head

The folks at Oceans East Bait and Tackle – Nags Head said offshore boats have been catching plenty of tuna, tilefish, and dolphins. They said anglers need to work those tuna in quickly with all the sharks in the area. Billfish anglers are starting to see some better action among marlin, sailfish, and spearfish.

Inshore anglers in the area are catching cobia, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ribbonfish, triggerfish, and amberjacks, especially around the towers. The bridges are producing some good numbers of quality sheepshead.

In the sound, redfish, black drum, and speckled trout remains strong. A number of flounder are being caught and released, so the fall season should be a good one.

At the OBX piers and on the surf, anglers are catching their share of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, sea mullets (a/k/a whiting), and flounder. The pompano bite has been strong lately as well.

Hatteras

On Hatteras Island, Frank & Fran’s Fisherman’s Friend is reporting lots of croaker, sea mullet (whiting), sea robins, and spots. Surf anglers have also had luck with Spanish mackerel in the evenings on the point, but the sharks are getting ahold of many of those fish before the anglers can reel them in. Anglers are finding some good redfish action, and the speckled trout have been biting strong on some days.

Buxton

In Buxton, Red Drum Tackle Shop said Ramps 43 and 44 are hot for keeper-sized sea mullet (whiting) and pompano, including a 3-pounder caught earlier this week. Ramp 30 has also been good, giving up several 1.5- to 2-pound whiting. Anglers at Ramp 45 have been catching Spanish mackerel in the mornings. In the sound, puppy drum and specks have been biting.

Beaufort

In the Beaufort area, Captains Noah and Tanner Lynk of Noah’s Ark Charters said the redfish bite is plenty strong. Their anglers are having to “weed through” the trophy-sized fish to get to the keepers, but they are managing to do it just fine. Their clients are also slipping up and catching (and releasing) good numbers of flounder. Speckled trout are biting good as well.

Atlantic Beach

Chasin’ Tails Outdoors Bait & Tackle said the king mackerel are biting as hot as it gets right now. They’ve weighed in dozens of big kings in the past week. The fish are hitting right along the beach. Mac-a-Hoos, Blue Water Candy rigs, and dead bait are all doing the trick.

Some pretty hefty Spanish mackerel are also biting. Anglers are still catching some cobia as well. Redfish and speckled trout, including a 5+pounder for Frank Williams, are also biting strong.

Anglers have weighed in dozens of king mackerel at Chasin’ Tails Outdoors in the past week.

Sneads Ferry

Moving down to Sneads Ferry, Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing is catching good numbers of grouper, little tunny, dolphins, some wahoo, and mackerel. Some large black sea bass and snappers are also biting good.

Offshore anglers are catching some hefty black sea bass along North Carolina’s coast.

Ocean Isle

The Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier restoration was completed in July, so the full length of the pier is now open. Some spadefish and speckled trout are coming over the rails. Pompano, including a 1-pound, 9-ounce one are also keeping anglers busy, along with blowfish, sea robins, ladyfish, whiting, and black sea bass.