Morehead/Atlantic Beach – November 2025
Frank, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that nearshore anglers are finding plenty of bluefish and a few late-season spanish mackerel. Around Cape Lookout, schools of false albacore are popping up, with sight-casting jigs being the go-to tactic for all three species.
King mackerel action has been decent, especially on the east side of Cape Lookout.
Offshore anglers who find a weather window are likely to connect with wahoo.
Inshore, speckled trout are feeding aggressively on live shrimp, and red drum are scattered in smaller groups. Sheepshead and black drum catches are light, but bluefish are thick inshore and near the inlet, especially around tide changes.
Surf anglers are finding success while bottom fishing, with pompano still in the mix until temperatures drop further.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that sight casting for false albacore will be the primary focus through Thanksgiving. Spanish mackerel have been scarce, with only a few smaller schools lingering off the beach and larger fish likely pushed south by the storms.
Bull red drum have yet to show up off the beach, despite efforts around the shoals and menhaden schools to locate them.
Ray Collins, of Raleigh, landed this 28.5″ speckled trout in the marshes of Newport River on a live shrimp. He was fishing with Capt. Justin Ragsdale of Breakday Charters.
King mackerel action has been slow, with the best bites coming from the east side of Cape Lookout during recent tournaments.
Gray trout are showing up on nearshore reefs and in the deeper Port areas.
Inshore, anglers are shifting to artificials for red drum as mullet runs fade and “trash fish” move out. Speckled trout are beginning to stir, with the best action coming on popping cork rigs. Cooler water should kick the bite into gear, especially around grass flats with nearby oysters on a falling tide.
Anglers fishing shrimp are still having some success catching sheepshead and black drum.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel have mostly moved on for the season, though a few scattered schools may still linger. Bluefish are abundant and offer solid sight-casting opportunities, with some false albacore mixed in. The albies have been tough to stay on, with only broken-up schools and brief surface appearances.
On nearshore structure, the gray trout bite is beginning to heat up.
Inshore, speckled trout action is picking up, with plenty of smaller “spike” fish and some keepers in the mix. The productive areas include creek mouths and channel pinch points. Artificials are ideal this time of year for scouting depth and location, with popping corks, topwater plugs, Z-Man or Gulp shrimp, and MirrOlures all drawing strikes.
Red drum remain scattered, but cooler nights and dropping water temperatures should help improve the bite.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that improving weather should lead to stronger king mackerel action. The bite typically lasts into November, with live menhaden being the top bait for nearshore waters and the east side of Cape Lookout.
False albacore are showing up from the shoals to the beachfronts. Sight-casting jigs into surface-feeding frenzies is the go-to tactic.
Around Cape Lookout shoals and the east side, anglers should also watch for schools of red drum. The big bulls that spent the last few months in the sound and river systems are now pushing out of the inlets and heading south.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that bottom fishing has been excellent. Trips are producing limits of large vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and black sea bass.
Offshore trolling efforts are picking up wahoo, and this time of year often yields a few big fish (to 90 lbs.) caught close in by anglers slow-trolling live baits for king mackerel.
The king bite has been slower than usual, likely due to extended storm activity.
In the Port area and inside the inlet, a spot run is beginning, with the classic spec rig and bloodworm-flavored Fishbites putting fish in the boat. The same setup is also producing sea mullet and gray trout.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that bottom fishing inside of 180’ has been tough, but weather patterns are improving and winds have stabilized, offering hope for a stronger second half of fall.
Will Martin, of Sneads Ferry, caught this mahi trolling a naked ballyhoo at the Big Rock.
Wahoo fishing has been a bright spot, with solid action along the break and to the south. This season, pushing an extra 10 miles offshore has consistently produced better quality fish.
Jason, of Ali-Kat Sportfishing, reports that nearshore trips have been producing solid catches of gray trout along with plenty of bluefish.
Offshore, many trips are targeting king mackerel. This time of year often brings a variety of species closer than usual, with king trips also hooking cobia, the occasional sailfish, and even offering a shot at some big wahoo.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that nearshore trolling remains productive, with plenty of bluefish and even some lingering spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing is starting to pick up for those reaching the 15+ mile range, with solid catches of black sea bass and triggerfish.
King mackerel action has been slow overall.
A few anglers managed to slip offshore during brief weather windows, and they’re landing wahoo, mahi, and sailfish. As conditions stabilize and water clarity improves, expectations are high for more consistent action on wahoo, blackfin tuna, sailfish, and late-season mahi.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that anglers have found success sight-casting jigs to good numbers of smaller bluefish holding in the area. A few false albacore have also been landed when they pop up, though they’re often just beyond most anglers’ casting range, making the bite a challenge.
Bottom rigs are producing some pompano.
