Morehead/Atlantic Beach – September 2026
Steve, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that nearshore anglers are finding a mix of spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling up and down the beaches. When active on the surface, anglers are sight-casting a variety of metals. This action is also happening directly in and just inside the inlet.
Offshore, the trolling bite is seeing some wahoo and scattered mahi. The mahi can be found in close (10-14 miles), but these shallower fish are usually the “peanuts.” The bigger mahi are hanging further out under good grass mats.
In the surf, anglers are enjoying a mix of bottom species that includes spots, croakers, whiting, bluefish, and pinfish.
Inshore, the slot red drum bite has been steady.
A bunch of flounder are all over, so hopefully that gives anglers a successful keeper season.
The big red drum bite is mostly fresh mullet soaked on Lupton rigs around shoals and ledges in the mornings or evenings.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel bite has remained in its “hit or miss” summer pattern. Plenty of smaller fish are in tight to the beach, with the larger fish out in the 3-5 mile range.
The nearshore wrecks are loaded with sharks, so be ready for that bycatch if live bait fishing for those bigger spanish. At times, the spanish can be found up top under birds, and sight-casting jigs is the preferred method (and will keep sharks off the hook).
Out around the Cape, schools of bluefish and some false albacore are active.
Inshore, the red drum action has been picking up, with cut bait and live shrimp producing most of the action. The bite fluctuates day-to-day with the hot water temps. There’s no real pattern to the fish yet, but overall the action is picking up. For the best chances, fish areas where mullet are running, whether that’s grass banks, creek mouths, or a set of docks.
Flounder numbers are strong inside.
Brayden Rivenbark, of Raleigh, NC, with a 47” gag grouper estimated at 40 lbs. The fish was caught on a Nomad deep drop jig in 200′ of water east of Cape Lookout.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that the spanish mackerel and bluefish action has been ramping up. The best bite has been on the higher and pushing tides.
Bottom fishing in the 80-120’ areas is producing vermilion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass, amberjacks, and grunts.
The trolling bite is picking up, as the wahoo keep showing up, and the mahi remain scattered.
Anglers looking for a flounder can expect to find strong action targeting structure off the beach. Plenty of quality flatfish are inshore, too.
It’s also time to focus on the sound and rivers for the trophy red drum bite.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that bull red drum can be targeted in the rivers and sound using large popping cork setups or by fishing cut baits around shoals and ledges.
Slot-sized red drum are spread around in small groups inside, with natural bait offerings (cut or live) being best with the hot water conditions.
Offshore, scattered king mackerel, barracuda, and some mahi are around structure in the 70-100’ range.
Bottom fishing action remains strong, with black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and other similar species mostly in the 80’+ range.
Megan Blalock, of Roxboro, doubled up on these 5 lb. bluefish at the Cape Lookout shoals. She was fishing Cotton Cordell pencil poppers with Capt. Daniel Griffee of On Deck Charters out of Chasin Tails Outdoors.
Lee, of Top Gun Fishing, reports that mahi can be found in the 25-35 mile range. When trolling, lures like small chuggers or cedar plugs are seeing the most success, as is fishing live bait on a flat line while bottom fishing.
The drift line baits may also get hit by cobia that are around structure in the 100-120’ range.
Bottom fishing is still good, but with all the hot water, the best bite has been pushed out deep. Anglers should focus on areas in the 200’ range for vermilion snapper and some big triggerfish.
Closer to the beach, spanish mackerel fishing is about the only action, and it’s been mostly smaller fish.
Inshore anglers have been finding tons of flounder, with many being quality fish.
The bull red drum action has been kicking off up in the Pamlico Sound, with the best formula being big cut baits on Lupton rigs soaked around ledges.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports the trolling action is starting to pick up as water conditions begin to cool down. The action is still largely in summer patterns, where scattered action is the name of the game for catches of wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi, and sailfish.
Bottom fishing is a great option in the area, with the key being deeper water (100-120’+) for more options, good numbers, and a better a quality of fish. The mixed bag of bottom species includes vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and some grouper (both throwback gags and scamps).
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that the offshore bite has been very scattered in general, but trips have done decent with picking up a wahoo or two. Blackfin tuna are mixed in, and both species should see a jump in production in September.
Some mahi are mixed in, and the most productive tactic is finding and targeting grass mats, as most of the mahi are scattered and pushed in.
Gag grouper may be closed, but plenty of good bottom fishing action is ready to be had. The mixed bag includes vermilion snapper, triggerfish, black sea bass, and the remaining keeper grouper species.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been the best action on the pier. Most anglers are finding a summertime mix of croakers, whiting, bluefish, and small sharks.
When the water is clean, the spanish mackerel action is productive.
