Carolina Beach – June 2026
Lewis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that the first push of smaller sheepshead have been moving into the Cape Fear River and are staging up on hard structure. Also around the same hard structures are black drum.
Anglers working their way down grass banks and around spoil islands are catching red drum, some smaller flounder, and a few scattered speckled trout.
When the incoming higher tides are pushing in, some big bluefish (to 8+ lbs.) are moving in, too.
Surf anglers are seeing a mix of whiting, bluefish, and the occasional black drum or pompano.
Nearshore still seems to be the hot spot, with good numbers of spanish mackerel around.
Some bigger king mackerel are moving in, with catches stretching from right on the beach on out to 20 miles.
Bottom fishing anglers have been catching grouper and amberjacks on offshore wrecks.
Some cobia have been popping up around boats bottom fishing in the 20-mile range.
Offshore runs are seeing blackfin tuna, wahoo, and increasing mahi numbers.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are scattered across the river, from creeks and main river shorelines to spoil islands and back into shallow bays in the marsh. Live bait is the best option, if the baits are the right size, otherwise some fresh cut menhaden or finger mullet will work. The success rate for artificials will get better with the warming water temperatures.
Some sheepshead are filling in around docks and deeper structures. Fishing live fiddler crabs or shrimp are the best bait options for the sheeps. When targeting these areas, black drum can be mixed in the action.
Flounder have started flooding just about every bit of structure on the river. Anyone fishing live bait or soft plastics near the bottom are likely to get some flatfish to hit.
Derek Kelly, of Wilmington, with a 7 lb. sheepshead caught on a mud crab in the Cape Fear River.
Tommy, of Mungo Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are on the move, from flats and oyster bars to deeper drop-offs. Artificials can get some strikes, but menhaden fished both cut or live has been the better option.
Black drum action is picking up for anglers fishing hard structures such as rock piles, jetties, or old docks. Fiddler crabs, cut blue crab, and fresh shrimp work best.
The speckled trout bite is getting a little better. Topwater plugs and any variety of Z-Man, Gulp, or D.O.A. soft plastics are all having their moments of success.
Mason, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters, reports that red drum is the predominant action, with menhaden (cut or live) being the top bait choice. Docks in the ICW and along the Cape Fear River shoreline are the main target areas.
Sheepshead are moving in, but most have been smaller fish. Anglers are still waiting for the 5-7 lb. fish to move in.
Black drum are staged up on the same bigger and deeper structures that are holding sheepshead.
Drew, of Strike Inshore Charters, reports that the topwater bite is starting to heat up. Rapala Skitter Walks have been working great when cast up against grass banks or worked over oyster beds. Z-Man paddle tail soft plastics in a variety of colors will also get some reaction strikes, as will live or cut menhaden and mullet. When bait fishing, target structure and shoreline points in the lower Cape Fear River.
Off the beach, the spanish mackerel have moved in. A Big Nic Spanich Candy has been the favorite for sight-casting action.
Bubba Williams, of Wilmington, caught this red drum using a live pogie on a Carolina rig in the lower Cape Fear River.
Tony, of Reel Teal Charters, reports that anglers fishing off the beach have been finding good numbers of spanish mackerel, and the bigger spanish mackerel will be moving in as the water warms up just a little more. Trolling has been the most reliable way to get into the action.
Good numbers of sheepshead are appearing inside, as are keeper black drum.
The red drum bite remains pretty hit or miss.
Flounder are moving inside, and they are often being found when targeting the reds.
Barry, of Family Ties Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has been picking up, with bluefish mixed in as well. Ther top producing lures are #00 or #0 Clarkspoons pulled behind #1 planers or trolling weights. Anglers finding some sight-casting action can get strikes with Big Nic Spanish Candies.
Trolling trips in the 10-25 mile range are producing king mackerel, barracuda, and amberjacks.
Gulf Stream action is heating up, with anglers catching a mixed bag of mahi, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.
Rod, of OnMyWay Guide Service, reports that nearshore trips are seeing tons of spanish mackerel around, with a good number of bluefish mixed in.
King mackerel fishing has really fired up, with the 14-25 mile range being the most productive.
Bottom fishing remains phenomenal. Anglers will find their best gag grouper action focusing on low relief areas and live bottom in the 25-35 mile range, and plenty of larger black sea bass are cooperating, with hardly a reason to keep fish under 18”.
Out at the break, mahi are showing up with the blackfin tuna and wahoo that have been around.
Blue marlin action is picking up for anglers running out to the true Gulf Stream waters (600-1400’).
Jeremiah, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that plenty of bluefish are around for anglers sight-casting plugs.
Spanish mackerel action is picking up as water temperatures are finally getting to that 70-degree mark.
Some king mackerel have already been landed this year (to 35 lbs.).
Bottom fishing has been producing sea mullet and pompano (to 2 lbs.).
