Morehead/Atlantic Beach – June 2026
Rich, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that surf and pier anglers have done well with bluefish, spanish mackerel, and bonito.
Inshore, the red drum are scattered, but deeper holes around the inlet and up into the Turning Basin are holding gray trout and sea mullet.
Nearshore anglers are doing well while trolling and sight-casting jigs to schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Most of the king mackerel are out in the 20-mile range, and a few cobia have been in the same areas.
The better numbers of grouper are out over bottom in the 85-150’ range, with some triggerfish on the deeper side of that range.
The offshore trolling efforts are producing blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that a huge push of bluefish (1.5 lbs. to 34”) moved onto nearshore wrecks and the shoals around Cape Lookout.
Anglers out around the shoals are also seeing some big red drum, big black drum, and cobia.
Spanish mackerel are around, with the trolling bite being best for now.
Inside, the Port area is still holding plenty of sea mullet and the occasional pufferfish.
Puppy drum are starting to push up onto on the grass flats where topwater plugs and popping cork setups will produce most bites.
The speckled trout action is still quiet, but sheepshead and black drum are showing up for anglers rigged with crabs and targeting the bigger structure in the Turning Basin area.
Todd Barnes, of Beaufort, landed this 30 lb. cobia in 96′ of water offshore of Beaufort Inlet on a slow pitch jig. He was fishing with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel are showing up. Trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 planers in the 20-50’ range has been the most effective, and second is casting metals to fish feeding on the surface.
The nearshore wrecks are holding gray trout, flounder, and the bigger class of spanish mackerel.
Cobia are starting to move in. Live bait, bucktails, and bottom fishing with cut bait are all tactics anglers can use to get strikes.
Inshore, the red drum action is slow but expected to increase. For the reds, topwaters, spinner baits, and cut baits under popping corks will all have their times of success.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that cobia, big spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and amberjacks are all starting to make their way closer to the beach.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are being caught by anglers targeting the surface-feeding frenzies with metal jigs.
Shallow water grouper season opened, and the bite has been good for a mix of gag grouper, scamps, and rock hind. For all the bottom action, drop your standard bait setups or break out the slow-pitch jigging rods.
Vermilion snapper, grunts, triggerfish, black sea bass, and porgies are all plentiful in the 70-130’ range.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that true blue water conditions are starting push their way in and are bringing mahi action with it. The mahi bite is just kicking off, but the quality of fish looks great.
The bottom fishing action is another great option, with the 80-100’+ area being best. Anglers are seeing a mixed bag of black sea bass, grouper, vermilion snapper, and amberjacks.
Just off the beach, the chopper bluefish continue to move in, and schools of trophy red drum are cruising around the shoals.
Cobia are arriving, and look most closely around bait, under turtles, and in the inlets. So far the early cobia bite has been further off the beach when bottom fishing.
John Acheson and family, of Charlotte, landed these bluefish offshore of Beaufort Inlet on Game On topwater baits. They were fishing with Capt. Tanner Lynk of Noah’s Ark Fishing Charters.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that the nearshore reefs are holding a great class of gray trout (3-5 lb. range) that are striking a variety of metal jigs.
Sheepshead fishing has been good nearshore, as these fish are working into the surf zone and around piers on their way to inshore structure.
Spanish mackerel are showing up in good numbers, with #2 planers and small Clarkspoons producing best.
Offshore, mahi are being caught as shallow as the 100-175’ range, with a larger class of fish out around the Big Rock and Swansboro Hole.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that plenty of keeper gag grouper are in the 80-120’ range. Mixed in are vermilion snapper (and some triggerfish if out slightly deeper).
Out on the break, boats have been enjoying nice numbers of wahoo (and these fish are quality-sized). Blackfin tuna and mahi are producing, too. Anglers have been doing best when focusing on the smaller temperature breaks (even as little as a tenth of a degree) versus those larger breaks.
Jason, of Ali-Kat Sportfishing, reports that spanish mackerel fishing has been phenomenal as they move in to take the place of bonito. A ton of smaller bluefish are mixed in the nearshore bite, too.
Further off the beach, bottom fishing on ledges, rocks, and live bottom in the 15-18+ fathom range has produced black sea bass, grouper, tons of vermilion snapper, and a really good number of triggerfish (which have been a bonus for being this shallow).
The offshore trolling action has improved, with blackfin tuna and good wahoo coming from targeting offshore structure.
Mahi are moving in, and anglers will do best by trolling along grass lines.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that the wahoo and blackfin tuna bite has continued to do well.
Gaffer mahi are showing up in good numbers, and some blue marlin are mixed in for anglers running out deep (600’+).
Bottom fishing remains strong, with solid triggerfish action in the 150-180’ range.
Coming inside a little more (100’+) is about as shallow as you can get and still find some vermilion snapper action.
Keeper gag grouper are as shallow as 60’.
Along the beachfronts, spanish mackerel and bluefish have been biting well.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that a bunch of bluefish (to 3 lbs.) are around for those casting plugs.
At first light, some spanish mackerel are mixed in (more towards the end of the pier).
Bottom fishing with either cut shrimp or squid is producing pinfish, sea mullet, croakers, as well as the first spot of the year.
