Carolina Beach – August 2026
Lewis, of Island Tackle and Hardware, reports that surf anglers have been seeing a summertime mix of red drum, flounder, plenty of croakers, and a variety of sharks.
Those fishing the beach are also finding some opportunities to cast at schools of spanish mackerel and bluefish, though the pier anglers have seen a more consistent bite for both species.
Inshore, red drum are around, but the bite is spotty.
Speckled trout are occasionally mixed in, when out on the water early. The numbers might not be there, but the fish being caught are good-sized.
Flounder are all over the place, and they’re hitting just about any live bait or soft plastic dragged along the bottom.
A decent sheepshead bite is coming from anglers fishing live fiddler crabs around hard structure and pilings both in the river and along the ICW.
Off the beach, spanish mackerel fishing has been steady, with bigger spanish starting to show up in the mix.
Some king mackerel are mixed in on the nearshore structure, though the best bite is more in the 15-20 mile range.
Scattered mahi are also in that 20+ mile range.
Christian, of Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the biggest update to summertime fishing is that the properly sized finger mullet are finally around in good numbers and have become the top bait option. Anglers are rigging them up either on jig heads or Carolina rigs with about equal amounts of success.
Slot-sized red drum and plenty of flounder are the top two target species. Fishing on the incoming and higher tides has been helpful, as that water flow cools the water ever so slightly and triggers feeding action.
Tommy, of Mungo Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite has been steady despite the summertime heat. Most of the action is coming from natural baits, with any mix of cut or live finger mullet, menhaden, or mud minnows getting strikes.
Anglers are catching a lot of flounder on live baits while fishing the same areas that are being targeted for drum (sandy flats and grass banks).
Some speckled trout are being caught. Most of the specks have come from artificials (such as D.O.A. shrimp) that are being thrown early and before the heat settles in.
Maddox Abernathy (age 7), of Carolina Beach, caught this gag grouper offshore of Carolina Beach on a live pinfish.
Mason, of Grand Slam Fishing Charters, reports that summer red drum fishing means anglers need to be ready to move around, as these fish rarely will stick to spots for more than a day or two in a row. With these hot water temperatures, good current is key and helps bring temperatures down and get the fish feeding. When working an area, have your baits spread out, as sometimes they are up on the bank, and at other times, they are down in the deeper channels. Low tide has been better as it helps congregate these groups.
A good push of flounder is around, and they’re chewing even when not being targeted. The flatfish are mostly along grass banks or in drop-offs with current.
You can also find some sheepshead on structure.
Drew, of Strike Inshore Charters, reports that inshore anglers are mostly catching a mix of red drum, flounder, and some speckled trout. A lot of finger mullet are around now, and these finger mullet have become the bait of choice.
Good black drum action is coming from fiddler crabs, especially if fishing near structure.
Tony, of Reel Teal Charters, reports that red drum are scattered about. Fish can be found around ICW docks, but the Cape Fear River has been better.
Sheepshead fishing has been good while fishing live crabs around pilings in the river.
Off the beach, some better-sized spanish mackerel have been showing up.
Barry, of Family Ties Charters, reports that the nearshore action has been steady for a mix of spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling #0 and #00 Clarkspoons behind #1 planers.
Some mahi have been showing up in the 20+ mile range when a good eddy pushes in off the Gulf Stream.
Also in this range is a mix of amberjack, barracuda, and the occasional king mackerel.
Bottom fishing is a good summer option, with steady action on grouper, black sea bass, and vermilion snapper.
Grant Hairston, of Wilmington, caught (and released) this 27” flounder on a 5” Z-Man jerk shad in the Cape Fear River.
Rod, of OnMyWay Guide Service, reports that anglers are seeing a good spanish mackerel bite (to 24”) off the beach. The bigger fish are in the 3.5-5 mile range, which is around 45-50’, and Clarkspoons are producing best.
King mackerel fishing has been slow as we await fish to come back in from more offshore areas.
Some nearshore mahi action has happened when finding good water conditions pushed in from an eddy off the Gulf Stream. Most of the time this is in the 24-32 mile range. Trolling small ballyhoo under a Blue Water Candy blue colored mylar skirt with a 3/8 oz. chin weight is a favorite option. Chuggers will also have a lot of success.
Bottom fishing is producing lots of black sea bass (18-22” range) in the 35+ mile areas.
With gag grouper closed, anglers should focus on scamp grouper, reds, and graysbys, as well as vermilion snapper, triggerfish, American red snapper, chocolate chip porgies, and jolt head porgies. All of this is happening inside 40 miles.
The offshore trolling action is slow with the hot water temperatures. Mostly the troll bite is comprised of scattered blackfin tuna and sailfish.
Jeremiah, of Kure Beach Pier, reports that whiting and croakers are making up most of the action.
Anglers are catching spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs, and the pier had a few king mackerel hit the decks in July.
