Swansboro/Emerald Isle – May 2026
Morgan, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that the surf fishing action has finally started to pick up, with catches of sea mullet, black drum, and early big pompano.
Nearshore fishing is where all the action is right now, with Atlantic bonito moving in close after spending the last few weeks around structure in the 5-10 mile range. Anglers are seeing a bunch of bluefish and some false albacore mixed in the action.
Spanish mackerel haven’t started showing up yet, though based on water temperatures and reports to the south, it won’t be too long.
Inshore, the area is starting to see a lot of bait around.
Red drum have been the main inshore target, with fish scattered along the waterway and up into the White Oak River.
Anglers fishing around bridges and pilings are having some success catching black drum, with sheepshead also moving in.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel and Atlantic bonito have started feeding well nearshore in the 2-5 mile range. Both species are being caught while trolling deep diver plugs and Clarkspoons behind planers, and anglers are also finding action by casting jigs when fish are on the surface or birds are working an area (most often in the early mornings).
A lot of bluefish (1-3 lb. range) have shown up in the inshore areas and around the inlets, and anglers can have a good time catching them with topwater plugs and casting jigs.
Most of the red drum have been holding in the shallow, cleaner water around the inlets, and they’re hitting everything from small topwater plugs and soft plastics to cut mullet soaked on the bottom.
Separate pods of red drum are around the brackish mainland creek mouths and bays, and they’ll hit all the same baits.
Danae Wilkinson, of Clayton, caught this 5 lb. bluefish in Clubfoot Creek near Havelock using a red and white Yo-Zuri hard bait.
Matt, of Friendly City Fishing Charters, reports that there has been a big push of gray trout and bluefish inshore. The Swansboro waterfront has been an easy place to target, with any stretch of deeper water and current holding pockets of fish. Most of the action has come from jigging Stingsilvers, which are producing strikes from both species.
Plenty of sea mullet are mixed in this bite, and they’re sitting in the same areas and hitting Fishbites or cut shrimp on bottom rigs.
Red drum are around, though nothing is “on fire” at the moment. Most of the fish are still out in the surf zone and will begin working back in as we move further into May. For anglers getting out now, staying on the trolling motor to locate a willing school is key. The fish that are inshore have been heavily pressured, so keeping some distance and choosing cut bait over artificials has helped.
Off the beach, a bunch of Atlantic bonito are around. Trolling Yo-Zuri deep divers has been a quick, easy way to put fish in the boat, and some anglers are also catching them by throwing jigs.
Jacob, of Southern Tides Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been the primary target. Weedless‑rigged artificials have been working best (with some snot grass still around), but you also can’t go wrong soaking a piece of cut shrimp or mullet when the plastics aren’t getting it done.
Up in the creeks, there are some black drum and smaller red drum. Shrimp has been the most consistent bait, with fiddlers also getting a few strikes. For both species, anglers will want to focus on deeper holes with structure, such as oysters, docks, or rocks.
Gray trout are holding in the deeper holes and channels from the inlets back through the waterways, and bouncing metal jigs or fishing cut bait is producing strikes.
While targeting gray trout, anglers are also finding a bunch of smaller bluefish willing to hit the same offerings.
Speckled trout fishing should be picking up soon as bait continues to show up.
Axl Nilluka, of Raleigh, caught (and released) this 25.5″ gray trout near Cape Lookout using a 1 oz. jig. He was fishing with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Tony, of Fin Finderz, reports that the Atlantic bonito have been really thick around structure in the 40-50’ range. Trolling these areas with Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri deep divers is producing plenty of strikes, though some anglers prefer to sight cast to schools with 3/4 oz. Big Nic Spanish Candies or similar jigs.
Spanish mackerel should be the next arrivals in that same depth range, with water temperatures already creeping into the upper-60s.
Scott, of King Mackerel College, reports that anglers off the beach have been finding good bluefish action and are also seeing Atlantic bonito showing up around the ARs. Trolling Yo‑Zuri deep diver plugs has been working great, as has a wide variety of smaller, shiny casting jigs. As the water continues to warm, the bonito will become more tuned into live bait than anything artificial.
Anglers have been finding some wahoo over ledges in the 30-50 fathom range, with most strikes coming on the planer rods rigged with ballyhoo and Ilander lures.
This same 30-50 fathom zone has also produced some good catches of blackfin tuna.
A few dolphin have been showing up. They’re mostly hitting ballyhoo under skirts, with green‑and‑yellow patterns typically being the most productive.
Out deep (100+ fathoms), some billfish are starting to show up.
John, of Early Riser Fishing Charters, reports that the Atlantic bonito have arrived in full force off the beaches, and anglers are having plenty of success both trolling and casting jigs.
There have even been a couple of bonus blackfin tuna surprisingly mixed into the nearshore areas from the beach out to 7-8 miles.
Anglers have been picking up some king mackerel in the 20‑mile range, in May, these kings should begin pushing right onto the beaches.
Offshore runs are becoming more productive, with plenty of blackfin tuna around and some nice‑sized wahoo in the mix. Most of this action has been in the 50‑fathom area.
The spring run of mahi should start showing up by early May.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that sight casting efforts are producing plenty of bluefish, including some larger fish pushing 10 lbs., along with spanish mackerel.
Bottom fishing has been better in the evenings, when most of the sea mullet have been coming over the rails.
Also mixed into the bottom bite are black drum to 5+ lbs., pufferfish, spot, and pompano.
